Apple Hill Players presents a comical yet poignant production of Over the River and Through the Woods by Joe DiPietro and Directed by Josette Kurey at the Theater Factory in Trafford, July 15 to 23, 2022.
Catch their next season list of shows at the end of this story!
DiPietro is the author of the off-Broadway hit I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change and Tony award-winner for the musical Memphis in 2010.
The setting is a modest home in Hoboken, New Jersey. Nick Cristano (Cam Swartz), a 29-year-old single marketing executive, meets every Sunday for dinner with his four grandparents at the Gianelli residence.
Frank and Aida Gianelli (Gordon Robinson and Jeanne Kane) are joined by Nunzio and Emma Cristano (Ron and Mary Ferrara) for this meal. It has taken on ritualistic proportions that defy any alterations except for its sumptuous Italian menus.
Nick has decided to take a job across the country and then has to convince his four Italian-American grandparents that it’s the right move.
Familial sentiments run true in this funny, six-character ensemble piece which concentrates on the rewards and strains of intergenerational relationships.
From Director Josette Kurry, “Directing a memory play brings up many things you thought you had forgotten. This play, in particular, brought me back to dinners with my grandparents—and Hoboken, NJ. For a brief period, I was lucky enough to live there across the street from where Frank Sinatra was born. I was living there when he died, and his music played through the streets for weeks. This is why I have decided to frame this show with his music. For me, I always remember Hoboken with Frank.”
Westmoreland County has a passionate group of community theatre folks performing on stage and working backstage with multiple theater groups to bring affordable live theater performances to their communities. Reviewing the bios of the cast and crew, they have over 200 plus productions across various theater groups to their credit. Put that together with a show that ran 800 performances off-broadway, and you have a recipe for excellent community theater.
Production Manager Sue Kurry offered this is insight on the past season: “We are very pleased with how our audiences and performers have come back after the pandemic. It is encouraging to see the interest in live performing arts. This is why we continue to work so hard for our community arts program.”
Over the River and Through the Woods is the Apple Hill Players’ and the Trafford Performing Arts Center’s final production of their 2021/22 season. Performance dates at times: July 15th, 16th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd at 7:30pm and July 17 at 2:00pm
For tickets and more information visit: https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/apple-hill-playhouse/over-the-river-and-through-the-woods-12791/tickets
For 2022/233 The Theatre Factory has the following shows scheduled:
BAT BOY SEPT | 23rd-OCT 1st 2022
-A Musicalized comedic/horror romp, inspired by an article in the National Inquirer
ALMOST, MAINE | DEC 2nd-10th 2022
-A rom-com romp through a small Maine town, all in the course of one magical night.
EVERYBODY | FEB 24th- MAR 4th 2023
-A funny introspective into everybody’s thoughts on life, death and what’s important.
GODSPELL | MAR 31st-APR 8th 2023
-Stephen Schwartz’s award-winning musical, a modern retelling of the Gospel of Matthew.
RED HERRING | MAY 19th-27th 2023
-A hilarious noir send-up of the 50’s, surrounding McCarthyism and the Red Scare.
ONCE UPON A MATTRESS | JUL 21st-29th 2023
-A side-splitting, fun for the whole family, retelling of “The Princess and the Pea”
Categories: Show Previews
I sent an email 7/22 and haven’t heard a response. We are interested in 2 seats for 9/29/22, 5/25/23 and 7/27/23. Please respond so I know we have 2 seats for these productions. We’ve been ticket holders for over 25 yrs. A response would be most appreciated!
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