Over the River in Camden

One of the best things about Off-Broadway plays is that they play just as well in community theaters. While ‘The Producers’ can offer you Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane, and Miss Saigon can give you a real helicopter landing on stage, all the Westmont Theater can offer in their production of Joe DiPietro’s ‘Over the River and Through the Woods’ is smart dialogue, crisp timing, and continual laughs.

Over the River is the story of 29 year old Nick Cristano, whose announcement that he wants to move across the country to advance his career, is tantamount to declaring that he is joining the Taliban. Nick’s grandparents are immigrants that worked at back-breaking labor to provide a stable family life for their offspring. Nothing is stronger than family. How could Nick give all that up?

The themes of the play are universal. You don't have to be Italian to see the struggles Nick goes through in his decision. His grandparents did such a good job raising their the family to be free-thinkers, with strong self worth, that Nick has truly outgrown his nest. Through the course of the play the audience watches the grandparents come to grips with what they perceive as the dissolution of their family.

Sounds like a bummer, huh? Not at all ‘Over the River and Through the Woods’ is a cleverly written comedy with tears of laughter at every turn. The cross generational interactions at the dinner table work to any stereotypical ethnic group, not just the Italians. You’ll howl at the scene where Nick tries to play Trivial Pursuit with his grandparents, who feel close enough gets a wedge.

‘Over the River and Through the Woods’ is being presented by the Westmont Theater, and will be playing at the South Jersey Performing Arts Center on Harbor Blvd., in Camden through Feb 23rd. For more information, or to order tickets, call 856-342-6633.

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Author: Jim McGrath