Review: 'Over the River and Through the Woods' by Warner Stage Company

“Tengo famiglia.”

‘Over the River and Through the Woods’ is a very funny family comedy written by Joe DiPietro. The Warner Stage Company presented a wonderful production for two weekends under the direction of Lynn Paulella Beard.

The title of the piece is from the song of the same name which begins “Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go. The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh through the white and drifted snow.” The theme of the love of family runs throughout this warm-hearted comedy. The play takes place in Hoboken, NJ and follows the lives of an Italian-American family. Marketing executive Nick Cristano visits his four grandparents every Sunday for a traditional Italian dinner that are governed by the three “F’s” - family, faith and food.

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The set of the home built by one of Nick’s grandfathers that was designed by Steve Houk was decorated to accurate perfection, complete with a working front door, crocheted afghan, a garden statue of the Virgin Mary and a seemingly working kitchen. The actors got to enjoy plenty of edible props brought out on trays by the resident nonna. Renee C. Purdy chose the accurate costumes for the six actors and everything was lovingly lit by Matthew R. Delong.

Photos by Mandi Martini.
©2016 The Warner Theatre