The Community Players' final show of their 86th
season which is their 321st production is Joe DiPietro's tender, loving and
comedic look at an Italian-American family, "Over the River and Through the
Woods''. Nick Cristano is a 29 year old Italian at the crossroads of his
life. For his entire life, Nick and his four grandparents have gathered for
the traditional Sunday night family dinner. This tradition is about to
change when Nick breaks the news that he is leaving New Jersey for a job
promotion in Seattle. Bent on keeping their grandson around so he can marry
and have children, the four grandparents hatch a plot to keep him in town.
Hilarity is the name of the game during the first act with many poignant and
touching moments in the second act when Nick finally learns the true meaning
of being part of a loving family with the Italian mantra of "Tengo Famiglia"
to hold a family close to you. Director Sandy Cerel does a phenomenal
job with her expert combination of the comic and dramatic moments and her
fantastic six member cast who obtain laughter and tears from a very
appreciative audience. This well written and directed show is a must see
show for this summer season that will warm your hearts and tickle your funny
bone.
Sandy not only cast her show wonderfully but she blocks it
perfectly, too. She mixes the old country values with current day trends
splendidly. The gorgeous living, dining room, front doorway and stairs set
is by Brian Mulvey while Sandy and the cast supply their numerous costumes
for the show. The lighting design is an important part of this show when the
five main characters have their soliloquies as well as to set the mood for
the tear jerking moments, is by Dan Fisher who runs both the lighting and
sound for the show. Ryan Hanley, who is part Italian, plays the pivotal role
of Nick. He does an excellent job in this enormous role. He creates a
memorable character that the audience can immediately identify with in his
relationship with his grandparents. His exasperation at his meddling
grandparents is mixed together with his deep caring and love for his family.
Ryan handles the comic and dramatic moments perfectly and he really shines
in his many monologues throughout the show, too. He is really establishing
himself as a first rate young actor with his many diverse roles and acting
prowess in all of them.
The four grandparents in this show are fabulous in their roles
whether they are making you laugh hysterically or making you sob
uncontrollably. They show great depth in their roles to get the true meaning
of what family is all about. Each of them have their moments to shine in
their individual and group scenes. These topnotch performers are Carl
DeSimone as Frank Gianelli, Carol Forrest as Aida Gianelli, Ed Carusi as
Nunzio Cristano and Camille Terilli as Emma Cristano. Carl tells the serious
story about how his father put him on a boat to America so he could have a
better life here while his comic moments include his playing the mandolin
and the descriptions of his terrible driving while Carol cooks up these
fabulous Italian meals, makes sandwiches when Nick isn't hungry, wants to
feed everyone constantly and has a wonderful crying scene when Nick decides
to go to Seattle. Ed tells funny stories about courting Emma, sings "Yes
Sir, That's My Baby", plays trivial pursuit in a round about hilarious way
to get the answer, has a hidden health problem but decides to keep it a
secret from Nick and has a long talk with Nick on the porch about following
his dreams which is very poignant. Camille plays the religious Mass card
buying grandmother, Emma who likes to go on bus trips to many places
including Atlantic City, fixes Nick up with her canasta card playing
partner's daughter to keep up from moving away, has many comic one liners
with the funniest one being Emma's mistaking Caitlin for a veterinarian when
she tells them she is a vegetarian and can't eat Aida's veal. Camille's
tender and serious scene in the second act evokes tears as Emma tells Nick
you can't hold on to your loved ones forever, no matter how many tears you
shed and no matter how you try to stop it. The grandparents many comic and
dramatic antics need to be seen to be fully enjoyed. Bravo. Rounding out the
cast is Amy Silva as Caitlin O'Hare, the Irish nurse who is a vegetarian.
She tells Nick that he is a jackass for yelling at his grandparents and
later on she tells him to cherish them while they are still around.
So for an outstanding show of awesome direction and acting, be sure to catch
"Over the River and Through the Woods" for a pleasant and poignant trip down
memory lane. Tell them Tony sent you. You won't be disappointed.
OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS ( 15 - 24 June, 2007)
The Community Players, Jenks Jr. High, Division Street,
Pawtucket,RI
