OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS

On January 25, 2014, a group of AMHS members attended a performance of Joe DiPietro’s heartwarming, funny and at times poignant play, Over the River and Through the Woodsat the Bowie Playhouse. While striking home for ItalianAmericans, the production also spoke to the universal themes of “family, faith, and food,” according to the director, Frank Pasqualino. The basic storyline is the struggle of the grandson, Nick, to tell both sets of his grandparents that he has been offered a job on the West Coast, or, in the words of his grandfather, “the far Washington.” Machinations ensue to keep Nick near the homestead, including introducing him to a young woman, “even though” she is Irish-American. Nick, in a situation parallel to that of his immigrant maternal grandfather, must make the decision to go it alone in a new environment or stay in New York to content his grandparents.

The story of love and separation is one of the age-old themes of drama, and unfolds with laughter and also with tearful nuances. The actors skillfully captured the cadences, facial expressions and body language of the Italian-American family members without resorting to stereotypes. It just rang true for those of us who remember the family dynamics of Sunday dinners at the grandparents’ home. Even the stage décor and the props reminded us of the households in which we were raised. Much to the delight of those in attendance, the director was available to greet attendees and answer questions during intermission, and, at the end of the performance, the audience had the opportunity to speak to several of the six actors. Hopefully, this wonderful play will return for an encore performance in our area so that AMHS members can enjoy the play and the memories evoked. It is highly recommended!