Schultz Theatre To Present ‘Over The River And Through The Woods’
October 29, 2018
Schultz Theatre To Present ‘Over The River And Through The Woods’ Starting Nov. 2
By SHELBY MERTENS
Daily News-Record 10/25/18
BROADWAY — Schultz Theatre will perform the 1998 off-Broadway play “Over the River and Through the Woods,” a heartwarming modern-day story alluding to the classic children’s song about visiting grandparents, starting Nov. 2.
In the play, Nick is a young man working in New York City who visits his two sets of first- generation Italian immigrant grandparents in Hoboken, N.J., every Sunday.
His parents and sister have already moved elsewhere, making Nick their last relative in the neighborhood, but his new job promotion requires him to move to Seattle. Distraught at the thought of Nick leaving, the grandparents scheme to keep Nick from moving away.
Terri Hoover is director of the Schultz Theatre production. She was also recently appointed as the Broadway theater’s new artistic director.
A show that’s focused on the importance of family, Hoover said, the play is good for ushering in the holiday season.
“I think it’s just a great piece for this time of year,” she said. “We’re about to enter the holiday season. People are thinking about family get-togethers with Christmas coming up. I think it’s the perfect show to get that feel of the season. It’s very heartwarming.”
Seth Simmers is playing the role of Nick, whom he describes as loving his tight-knit family but also feeling embarrassed by them.
He sees the job promotion as an opportunity to move up the corporate ladder and build his professional career. His grandparents, by contrast, were raised believing that family strength and unity is the core of everything.
“He wants to make something of himself. He wants to aspire to big things,” Simmers said. “He doesn’t want to leave them, but at the same time, he’s a little selfish. He cares for them, but he feels he has to do this for himself.”
As part of their scheme, the grandparents set Nick up on a blind date with a girl in hopes that he will fall in love and decide not to move to Seattle. The plan, however, hilariously backfires.
“It’s meant to be comical but also meant to show how much family means and to show that you need to savor every moment with your family because family is such a sacred thing,” Simmers said. “You have to enjoy it while it lasts, because nothing lasts forever.”
Simmers has acted in Schultz Theatre plays for the last three years. This is his first lead role.
Nick’s grandparents are Frank and Aida, and Nunzio and Emma. The latter pair are the more gregarious, boisterous bunch. Dennis Lee is playing Nunzio, who is harboring a secret from Nick that he’s terminally ill.
“Throughout the play he’s struggling as to whether he should tell Nick that he may not see him again after he leaves, and thus coercing him to stay,” Lee said. “He’s struggling with, would that be right or would that be selfish, so he’s not really telling anybody until the last minute.”
Lee, a retired pharmacist in Broadway, started acting with Schultz Theatre this summer for the play “Flowers for Algernon.” He’s also acted in Valley Playhouse productions.
He wanted the role of Nunzio for his “gregarious” character and the comedy that ensues.
“I’ve dabbled in drama, but comedy is where my passion is,” he said. “Hearing the laughter is like a drug.”
Although the show is funny, it has its tear-jerking moments. Hoover, who moved to the Valley in March from Texas, could relate to show because she misses her family back home.
“It really resonates to me because I’m very close to my family and especially now since they’re back in Texas … I can really understand the dynamic of this family wanting to stay together,” she said. “I knew the first time I read the script that it was something pretty special because you laugh until you cry and then you cry.”
Showtimes are Nov. 2, 3, 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 4 and 11 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for students and seniors.
By SHELBY MERTENS
Daily News-Record 10/25/18
BROADWAY — Schultz Theatre will perform the 1998 off-Broadway play “Over the River and Through the Woods,” a heartwarming modern-day story alluding to the classic children’s song about visiting grandparents, starting Nov. 2.
In the play, Nick is a young man working in New York City who visits his two sets of first- generation Italian immigrant grandparents in Hoboken, N.J., every Sunday.
His parents and sister have already moved elsewhere, making Nick their last relative in the neighborhood, but his new job promotion requires him to move to Seattle. Distraught at the thought of Nick leaving, the grandparents scheme to keep Nick from moving away.
Terri Hoover is director of the Schultz Theatre production. She was also recently appointed as the Broadway theater’s new artistic director.
A show that’s focused on the importance of family, Hoover said, the play is good for ushering in the holiday season.
“I think it’s just a great piece for this time of year,” she said. “We’re about to enter the holiday season. People are thinking about family get-togethers with Christmas coming up. I think it’s the perfect show to get that feel of the season. It’s very heartwarming.”
Seth Simmers is playing the role of Nick, whom he describes as loving his tight-knit family but also feeling embarrassed by them.
He sees the job promotion as an opportunity to move up the corporate ladder and build his professional career. His grandparents, by contrast, were raised believing that family strength and unity is the core of everything.
“He wants to make something of himself. He wants to aspire to big things,” Simmers said. “He doesn’t want to leave them, but at the same time, he’s a little selfish. He cares for them, but he feels he has to do this for himself.”
As part of their scheme, the grandparents set Nick up on a blind date with a girl in hopes that he will fall in love and decide not to move to Seattle. The plan, however, hilariously backfires.
“It’s meant to be comical but also meant to show how much family means and to show that you need to savor every moment with your family because family is such a sacred thing,” Simmers said. “You have to enjoy it while it lasts, because nothing lasts forever.”
Simmers has acted in Schultz Theatre plays for the last three years. This is his first lead role.
Nick’s grandparents are Frank and Aida, and Nunzio and Emma. The latter pair are the more gregarious, boisterous bunch. Dennis Lee is playing Nunzio, who is harboring a secret from Nick that he’s terminally ill.
“Throughout the play he’s struggling as to whether he should tell Nick that he may not see him again after he leaves, and thus coercing him to stay,” Lee said. “He’s struggling with, would that be right or would that be selfish, so he’s not really telling anybody until the last minute.”
Lee, a retired pharmacist in Broadway, started acting with Schultz Theatre this summer for the play “Flowers for Algernon.” He’s also acted in Valley Playhouse productions.
He wanted the role of Nunzio for his “gregarious” character and the comedy that ensues.
“I’ve dabbled in drama, but comedy is where my passion is,” he said. “Hearing the laughter is like a drug.”
Although the show is funny, it has its tear-jerking moments. Hoover, who moved to the Valley in March from Texas, could relate to show because she misses her family back home.
“It really resonates to me because I’m very close to my family and especially now since they’re back in Texas … I can really understand the dynamic of this family wanting to stay together,” she said. “I knew the first time I read the script that it was something pretty special because you laugh until you cry and then you cry.”
Showtimes are Nov. 2, 3, 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 4 and 11 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for students and seniors.
