Theatre Northeast to perform "Over the River and Through the Woods"

A stellar cast headlines the current Theatre Northeast production of the charming comedy Over the River and Through the Woods, by Joe DiPietro. The show runs February 25-27 at 7:30 p.m. and February 28 at 2:05 p.m. in the “Onstage Theatre” of the Whatley Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of Northeast Texas Community College.Originally presented professionally in New York in 1998, the play relates the sometimes hilarious, sometimes heart-breaking tale of two sets of Italian-American grandparents in Hoboken, New Jersey, and the grandson whom they dearly love. It is a story about beginnings and endings, about holding on and letting go, love and fear, responsibilities and dreams, sacrifices and reward.  

Each character has one foot in the “old” world and one foot in the “new,” which is a source from which much of the play’s humor and most of Nick’s (the grandson) headaches are mined. The key thematic phrase used in the play is “Tengo Famiglia” which, as one of the grandfathers explains, means in Italian literally “I support the family,” but really connotes pride and identity in possessing and providing for the family. But the Italian verb “tenere” can also mean “to keep” or “to hold,” so that the phrase then becomes “I keep the family; I hold the family.”  And that it ultimately what the play is about; keeping and holding the family deep within one’s heart, despite the slings and arrows that life throws at it. 

The cast includes Distinguished Theatre Northeast Alumni Nick Derby, of Mount Pleasant, as Frank Gianelli, Ariah Burkhalter, of Mount Pleasant, as Emma Cristano and Tyler Beadle, of Mount Pleasant, as Nick Cristano. Other cast members are Elizabeth Griffin, of Pittsburg, as Aida Gianelli, Cassia Rose, of Winnsboro, as Caitlin O’Hara, Trace Lewis, of Redwater, and Nathan Johnson, of Mount Vernon, as NunzioCristano. Production Stage Manager is Briana K. Stacks, of Pittsburg, and Assistant Production Stage Manager is Justin Mejia, of Pittsburg. The production is directed by NTCC Theatre Professor Douglas Hoppock.

Reservations are required due to limited seating and may be made by calling the Whatley Center Box Office at 903-434-8181. Ticket prices are $10 for Adults, $7 for age 17 and under, $5 for Senior Citizens, NTCC Faculty and Staff.

Over the River and Through the Woods is a sweet and gentle play which “wraps its arms around you.”  It is charming, endearing, warm-hearted, dear and sentimental.  “A heart-felt and immensely memorable play,”  said Chicagocritic.com.