4 ? THE EAST END SUBURBAN, THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2009 By Julia Gerke The Suburban Tengo famiglia! In Italian, it means, ?I have a family,? and according to the characters in Joe diPietro?s play Over the River and Through the Woods, family is one of the most important things in life to have and to honour. The Segal Centre chose well to end the 2008/2009 theatre season with this piece directed by Steven Schipper ? it?s a display of strong family ties and witty writing, powerful enough to make the audience laugh as well as cry and to allow the actors to showcase some divine acting skills. Set in 1994 in New Jersey, a 29year-old single Italian-American man Nick (Gianpaolo Venuta) has dinner with both sets of grandpar-

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Segal ends season with theatrical highlight

ents every Sunday. One day, he announces that he has landed a big promotion that would require him to move to Seattle. Not wanting to let him go, his grandparents try to set him up with a young Irish girl (played by Diana Donnelly). The story is not the most riveting, but what makes it so enjoyable is the family dynamic between the main characters. MARTIN CHAMBERLAND / THE SUBURBAN The four grandparents ? portrayed by Frank Savino and DeAnn Mears (a real-life husband and wife) as well as Doreen Brownstone and Bernie Passeltiner ? are well cast and complement each other?s on-stage personalities. Savino?s character, Frank Gianelli, doesn?t want to hear that he?s too old to drive, his wife Aida thinks food is the answer to everything, Brownstone?s Emma is outspoken and eager to set their plan in motion, while her husband Nunzio carries around a tragic secret. They all have one thing in common, however: they value family above all else. Nick, on the other hand, is torn between his desire to live his life and the guilt that comes with it. Yes, this is an Italian- American family, but judging by the audience?s reaction on opening night last week, this could have been a family from almost any kind of background. Who doesn?t know family members that won?t let each other talk or show their love with overbearing but wellintentioned meddling, questioning or concern? The play spotlights the fundamental differences between generations, and how they try and fail to communicate with each other. The set designed by Michael Gianfrancesco takes the audience right into Frank and Aida Gianelli?s home in Hoboken. It?s a home that hasn?t been updated in years because the couple has turned it into a cozy environment with lace curtains, glass cabinets and little knick-knacks, parquet and an outdated carpet, flowery wallpaper and wood paneling. The sound and lighting design by Arlo C. Bates and Kirsten Watt, respectively, also contributes to the mood. With a running time of less than two hours plus one intermission, the play?s funny scenes and emotionallycharged moments make the time fly by. Go see it if you can. Over the River and Through the Woods runs until May 10 at the Leanor and Alvin Segal Theatre. For more information, go to segalcentre.org or call 514-739-7944. ? julia@thesuburban.com DeAnn Mears and Frank Savino in Over the River and Through the Woods.

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