Over the River and Through the Woods

April 19 - May 10, 2009

By: Joe DiPietro
Directed by: Steven Schipper

Presented by Saputo Inc.

Love of family is the central theme of this endearing, warm-hearted comedy. The play takes us on a sweet and sentimental journey as Nick, a dutiful, young marketing executive, goes to visit his grandparents to give them some exciting news: he’s moving far away. Thus ensues a familiar, tragi-comic dialogue between the generations, transcending ethnicity and cultural background.

A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
For all the laughter sprinkled through the play, DiPietro wants to know why each generation makes sacriﬁces for the next; why no future generation can ever fully appreciate those sacriﬁces and how both generations can ﬁnd a balance between holding on and letting go.

DID YOU KNOW?

Joe DiPietro wrote the book and lyrics for the musical comedy I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, the longest running current off-Broadway production. It has been staged in over 150 cities around the world.

Over the River and Through the Woods is the centrepiece of the Segal Centre's "Salute to the Italian Community." Read more here

Read the Gazette Review

"Brilliant acting from the pros in classic family comedy"
– Kathryn Greenaway, Gazette Theatre Critic

Read the Gazette Preview

"Retired actors enticed by play at Segal"
– Kathryn Greenaway, Gazette Theatre Critic

Read The Métropolitain Review

”The Segal’s production [is] truly blessed with a strong quartet of solid veteran actors… like a plate of delicious pasta, the Segal’s production is hugely satisfying.” -Alidor Aucoin, The Métropolitain

Read the CDN-NDG Acutalités Review

“That is my family exactly, except with different food.”
-Iuliana Petrescu, CDN-NDG Actualités

Read The Mirror Review

”It's refreshing to see such a simple, untortured story: a generation gap comedy with a sentimental turn and no pretense.”
–Neil Boyce, The Montreal Mirror

Read The Transcontinental Review
(The Monitor, The Chronicle, The Examiner)

“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. "
–Toula Foscolos, The Monitor

Read the Canadian Jewish News Review

“The consensus is in and every audience member smiled their way out of the Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre after Over the River and Through the Woods.” -Heather Solomon, CJNews