Family is at the core of Over the River and Through the Woods

Published on April 24, 2009

Published on February 6, 2010

Toula Foscolos  

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Segal production both entertains and moves

In the Segal’s latest production, Over the River and Through the Woods, the ‘F’ words featured prominently aren’t the controversial kind, but they still manage to get main protagonist, Nick Cristano, in a whole lot of trouble. For Nick’s two sets of doting Italian grandparents nothing is more important than the perfect trifecta of food, family and faith. “Tengo familia” they exclaim loudly on more than one occasion and you know they mean business. Joe DiPietro’s hilarious and utterly charming story of the ties that bind (and sometimes threaten to strangle) is a simple tale of Nick, a young single Italian-American, who has just been offered his dream job… in another city. To his traditional and overbearing grandparents, used to having him over every single Sunday for dinner, this new job might as well be on another planet. Upon hearing Nick’s announcement, they start conspiring to find a reason so that Nick won’t want to leave. Cue the eligible bachelorette into the story and hilarity ensues. One certainly need not be Italian to relate to this story. As the daughter of Greek immigrants, I laughed out loud at their effortless guilt-inducing, their incomprehension of what exactly Nick does for a living, their inability not to cross the line and their demonstration of love through constant feeding sessions. To Emma, Nunzio, Frank and Aida love rhymes with lasagna and family is the most important thing there is. There is nothing they wouldn’t do for their children and grandchildren and despite Nick’s frustration with their constant interference, he acknowledges that love. “How much do you owe someone for loving you so much? How does one repay someone for such devotion?” he ponders at some point and the question is left unanswered because how can someone possibly (and tangibly) reward someone for a love so infinite? Joe Di Pietro’s words are honest and reflective of a reality that many of us – the children of immigrants who left behind a family and a life in the search for a better one- have personally experienced. Because his words are honest, they ring true and they easily tug at the heartstrings. During Wednesday’s premiere, laughter was easily interspersed with tears and I’m pretty sure it didn’t matter what people’s background was. Family dynamics are universal and always manage to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers. We can all relate, to some degree or another. As I watched the masterful acting of veteran actors Doreen Brownstone, DeAnne Mears, Bernie Passeltiner, Frank Savino as the doting grandparents and promising young Montrealer Gianpaolo Venuta in the role of Nick, I thought of my own grandparents (long gone) and privately wished I had had the pleasure of one more Sunday dinner with them – even if it meant that I would be subjected to their meddlesome ways. Looking back, it seems such a small price to pay… Over the River and Through the Woods will be performing at the Segal Centre until May 10 and is part of the Segal Centre's ‘Salute to the Italian Community’, a twenty-one day event featuring nightly presentations of the play, Italian films and artwork by some of Montreal’s most esteemed Italian artists. Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre is located at 5170, chemin de la Cote-Sainte-Catherine. For more info, Box Office: (514) 739-7944, Admission (514) 790-1245 www.admission.com or www.segalcentre.org