Playwright Joe DiPietro followed up the successful run of his hit off-Broadway musical I Love You, Youre Perfect, Now Change with the family comedy Over The River And Through The Woods which also had a lengthy and successful run off-Broadway.
The play is a comedy-drama which peers into the life of "Nick" “ the only member of his family who has not moved far away from his paternal and maternal grandparents “ and the grandparents who expect him for Sunday dinner every Sunday in the home built by his master-carpenter grandfather.
The show delves into the trials, heartaches and joys that are a part of most families “ especially the annoyances and difficulty in understanding each other (especially when there is a generation gap) and the sacrifices we sometimes needs to make.
The play is set in an Italian-American home with two Italian-American grandmothers so I am warning you “ do NOT go to see this play when hungry! The mention of food begins early and covers everything from "tomato salad" to "cannoli" and everything in between.
But the show is not about food “ although sitting around a dinner table and a recurring gag of "take home" food does play a part.
The story revolves around unmarried grandson Nick (portrayed by Ryan MacNamara) who “ at twenty-nine “ is ready to move on with his life even if that means moving away from his grandparents.
His grandparents are against this as they understand the importance of family more than he does and feel Nick should stay close to "home" “ and close to their constant doting and worrying about him.
Surprisingly, it seems impossible to empathize with the grandson “ even if we should feel sorry for the aggravation his grandparents are causing him.
He sees them as "meddling" but we “ the audience “ find ourselves empathizing with them instead.
In fact, many in the audience on the night of this review would have quickly replaced him on stage to share one more dinner with their own grandparents. The intermission was a buzz filled with "my grandmother used to do that" or "he sounds just like your grandfather!"
And it really doesnt matter if you come from an Italian-American family or not ¦ there are plenty of moments in this play everyone can relate to.
In an age where Skype and text messages are the means of communicating it was refreshing to see a charming piece with the simple theme of "family caring about each other."
Of course, this show is not as simple as a family sitting around eating and yelling at each other. Reminiscent of the short-lived drama Brooklyn Bridge there are many elements to the script which weave in and out and although the script swings from comedy to drama a bit too quickly the actors never falter. When the pendulum swings to "comedy" they are as precise as Swiss watches “ and equally as heart-tugging with the drama.
The grandparents are delightful to watch as they sit in bemused ignorance of their grandson and his concerns. Jim Long is the cantankerous Frank who doesnt want to give up driving. Genia Miller is Aida, a "genius in the kitchen" who can prepare a fully dressed Butterball in three minutes.
Pat Kelly is the quick witted and sharp-tongued Nunzio while Jan LaBellarte is his brassy "matchmaker" wife Emma.
The four are a joy as they "unintentionally" and lovingly stir their grandson into a frenzy by just being who they are. And the audience adores every one of them for this. The genius behind these four actors is that they never overpower each other even though there are plenty of opportunities to do so.
It feels very much that we have merely been invited into Frank and Aidas house to watch what is going on while they have their grandson over for dinner.
Ryan MacNamara plays every emotion from frustration to annoyance to anger but never goes over the top and never without us believing he still truly loves these four people who are “ at various points in the show “ driving him crazy.
He is very amusing as the focal point of his grandparents energy (and despite their ages they are anything but tired). Kelly Herbert James is also a believable "friend of a friend" who is invited over to one of the dinners ¦ for reasons which should be obvious if you were ever single and had grandparents who wanted to see you married.
The direction by Tesia Nicoli makes excellent use of the space at the Macungie Institute. Asides to the audience are handled with spotlights, and there are several monologues which help to guide the story and explain what the characters are feeling, as well as some secrets we find out in act two. Ms. Nicoli and her cast expertly handle the emotional "swings" of the material from rolling laugher during a Trivial Pursuit game to several teary-eyed moments. Everyone has moments where they are allowed to shine both comically and emotionally. She and her cast embrace the story with genuine warmth but also a frenetic energy that keeps us looking from one character to another to see what they may be up to even when theyre not speaking.
The set is a simple and effective means to convey the story and scene changes are handled during asides to the audience so that the show never needs to stop.
The lighting is a simplistic "on" or "off" which may be what is available but thankfully never interferes with the storytelling.
Fortunately, this show doesnt depend on technical "trickery" or special effects to convey the heartfelt story it has to offer.
This show “ at its core “ will make you realize that no matter how annoying your family may be “ if they love and care for you they are worth cherishing as long as you can. Because, as Frank so poignantly reflects “ "everybody goes."
At times the script may feel a little preachy and the sentiment may be a bit thicker than the mozzarella on Grandma Aidas veal parmesan but that shouldnt stop you from enjoying a funny and poignant story that will hopefully have you leaving the theater shouting "Tengo Familia!"
Over The River And Through The Woods has performances Friday, November 14th at 8 pm and Saturday, November 15th at 3 pm and 7 pm at The Macungie Institute, 510 East Main Street, Macungie, PA 18062.
Tickets are available at the door or may be ordered at http://gigtheater.weebly.com/