Little Theatre stages comedy about family ties

The Little Theatre of Fall River tomorrow evening opens its production of the hysterical off-Broadway hit, "Over the River and Through the Woods."

The comedy will be repeated at 8 p.m. Saturday and Aug. 23-25, and at 7 p.m. Sunday and Aug. 26.

All performances will be at the air-conditioned Firebarn, Little Theatre's home, at Prospect Street and Highland Avenue in Fall River.

Written by Joe DiPietro, who is described as the Italian-American Neil Simon, "Over the River and Through the Woods" focuses on a young man's career decision and its humorous effects on his Italian-American family.

With his parents retired to Florida, Nick, a single Italian-American guy from New Jersey, maintains his family ties by seeing both sets of grandparents every Sunday for dinner. But the family routine is upset when Nick announces that he's been offered his dream job in Seattle. Pitting his loyalty to family against his career opportunity, the grandparents engage in schemes to keep Nick around, including inviting to dinner a lovely, single young woman.

"Over the River and Through the Woods" abounds in love, guilt, matchmaking, unsolicited advice, and endless offers of food.

Playwright DiPietro is also the author of the long-running off-Broadway revue "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," which also has a production currently playing in Boston.

Betty Ward, Little Theatre's new president, is making her Firebarn directorial debut with "Over the River and Through the Woods."

"It's one of the best comedies I have seen in a long time," said Ward. "We have all been in similar situations with family who love us and whom we love."

"Over the River and Through the Woods" stars David Champa, Ron Robinson, Richard Pelletier, Christine Pelletier, Suzie Gardner and Martha Peladeau.

Single tickets are $10 for "Over the River and Through the Woods." Discounts are also available for students, seniors and groups of 20 or more. For reservations and information, call the Little Theatre box office at (508) 675-1852.

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