The Walpole Footlighters first show of their 83rd season which is their
235th production is Joe DiPietro's tender, loving and comedic look at an
Italian-American family, "Over the River and Through the Woods". Nick
Cristanio 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 where Nick finally learns the true meaning of
being part of a loving family with the Italian mantra of "Tengo Famiglia",
to hold a family. Director Joe Mercure does a fabulous job as a first time
director of this show, with his expert combination of comic and dramatic
moments and his fantastic six member cast who obtain the laughter and the
tears from the audience. This well written and directed show is a must see
show for this fall season to warm your hearts.
Joe not only cast his show very well but blocks it wonderfully, too. He
mixes the old country values with the current day trends perfectly. The
gorgeous living room and dining room set is by Dan Sheehan while the
numerous costumes are designed by Kate Smith. The lighting design is an
important part of this show when the characters have their soliloquies
and to set the mood for the tear jerking moments is by Derek Jones, a
senior at Xaverian High School who has been working with Footlighters since
fifth grade. Andrew Bradley, a recent graduate of UMASS, Boston, plays the
pivotal role of Nick. He does an excellent job in this enormous role. Andrew
creates a character that the audience can immediately identify with in his
relationship with his grandparents. His exasperation at his meddling
grandparents is mixed with his deep feeling and love for his family. Andrew
handles the dialogue and especially his many monologues with ease.
The four grandparents in this show are marvelous 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 a family is
all about. Each of them have their moments to shine in their individual and
group scenes. These topnotch performers are Bob Maibor as Frank Gianelli,
Evie Rayburg as Aida Gianelli, Paul Campbell as Nunzio Cristanio and
Christine Grudinskas as Emma Cristanio. Bob tells the serious story about
his father, plays the mandolin and is a terrible driver while Evie cooks up
these fabulous Italian meals and wants to feed everyone constantly. Paul
tells funny stories about courting Emma and sings "Yes Sir, That's My Baby"
but keeps a serious health problem a secret while Christine plays the
religious Mass card buying grandmother who likes to go on bus trips and fix
Nick up with her Canasta card playing partner's daughter to try to keep him
from moving to Seattle. Their many comic and dramatic antics have to be seen
to be enjoyed so I won't spoil any of them for the audience. Rounding out
the cast is Katie Curley as Caitlin O'Hare who Emma tries to fix up with
Nick. She makes the most of her stage time and has a funny bit where she
calls Nick an asshole for yelling at his grandparents while she explains
later that he should respect and cherish them while he still has them. So
for one of the best directed and best acted shows around, 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.
OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS ( 20 October
- 5 November, 2006)
The Walpole Footlighters, 5 Scout Road, East Walpole, MA
