upcoming

Over the River and Through the Woods

What:

The North Coast Repertory Theatre continues its 26th Season with the comedy Over The River And Through The Woods by Joe DiPietro.  The productionopens at 8:00 PM on Thursday, July 22 with a benefit performance for the cast and crew.

            Over The River And Through The Woods follows the story of Nick, a single, Italian-American guy from New Jersey. His parents retired and moved to Florida. That doesn’t mean his family isn’t still in Jersey. In fact, he sees both sets of his grandparents every Sunday for dinner. This is routine until he has to tell them that he’s been offered a dream job. The job he’s been waiting for—marketing executive—would take him away from his beloved, but annoying, grandparents.  He tells them. The news doesn’t sit so well. Thus begins a series of schemes to keep Nick around.  

The play is written by 2010 Tony Award winner Joe DiPietro.  Besides writing the score and the book for the current Broadway hit Memphis, he also wrote the book and lyrics for the long running off-Broadway show I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. 

Director Rae Robison has worked professionally in theatre for the last twenty-five years as actor, director and designer.  She is currently on the faculty of the HSU Theatre, Film and Dance Department.  She has over 200 productions to her credit.  Last year, she appeared on the NCRT stage as Mistress Ford in The Merry Wives of Windsor.  Robison describes the script as “hands down one of the funniest scripts I’ve ever read” and is “so excited to share in its premiere in Humboldt County.”  Robison explains that the humor in the play is based on family and everyday life.   “Who doesn’t feel smothered by family every once in a while?  Who doesn’t ponder a life a thousand miles away from the family sometimes?  But then again, how many of us live a thousand miles away from our family and miss them?  I read this play and wanted to do it for my grandparents as a love story for them from me.”

The talented cast features Linda and Lou Agliolo, David Simms and Laura Rose as the grandparents; Even Needham as Nick and Brittany Morgan Williams as blind date Caitlin.  Scenic design is by Rae Robison, lighting design by Daniel Lawrence and costume design is by Jenneveve Hood.  Anders Carlson will stage manage the production.

Over The River And Through The Woods opens at 8:00 PM on Thursday, July 22 with an opening night gala that includes a champagne reception after the show.  This performance will also serve as a benefit for the cast and crew.  All seats for opening night are $14.00.  The performance on Friday, July 23 will be a benefit for Humboldt Sponsors; tickets are $20.   The performance on Saturday, July 24 will be a benefit for Kiwanis Club of Henderson Center; tickets are $15. The matinee (2pm) performance on Sunday, July 25 will be a benefit for Wesleyan Church of the Redwoods; tickets are $20.  Regular ticket prices of $14.00 general admission and $11.00 for students and seniors will begin on Friday, July 30.  The run will continue Fridays and Saturdays through August 14.  There will be one additional regular Thursday performance on August 12.  All evening performances begin at 8:00 PM.  There will be two matinee performances at 2:00 PM on Sundays, August 1 and 8.  NCRT is located at 300 Fifth Street, Eureka.  For reservations, group rates, or more information, please all 442-NCRT (6278).  www.ncrt.net.

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