In keeping with our mission of bringing quality, popular live theater produced with and by local amateur talent to our community, DCS is pleased to offer this long running Off-Broadway hit. "Over the River and Through the Woods" has been a hot ticket in regional and community theaters around the country since its successful New York run in the late 1990's. The play has a local connection too, as the role of Emma Cristano in the New York production was expertly filled by Leland native Marie Lillo, an accomplished professional actress and teacher currently residing in New York City.

Although much of the charm of the play is found in the peculiarities of the old-fashioned Italian-American grandparents, playgoers will recognize the dynamics of their own family gatherings regardless of their ethnic background. As one reviewer put it, "The themes of the play are universal. You don't have to be Italian to wonder what we owe the people who love us, or to ask to what degree we, in the modern day, should arrange our lives to be close to our families." How do we deal with the fact that in pursuing the American dream, our parents and grandparents elevated us to a level where our expectations and theirs are so different we no longer understand one another?

While the play has its share of serious and touching moments, it is also very funny. The grandparent's comical misunderstandings and Nick's sarcastic attempts to deal with them lead to many humorous situations and exchanges. Yet these grandparents are not caricatures, but believable characters whose values are both real and sadly lacking from much of modern life.

Once again the cast is a strong mix of DCS veterans and new (and new "old") talent. The role of Nick Cristano will be played by Mark DiBiase, recently returned to Greenville and seen on stage in the 2002 DCS production of "The Secret Garden" and more recently in the highly successful DCS production of "Smokey Joe's Café" last month. Nick's maternal grandmother Aida Gianelli will be portrayed by Penny Byler also recently seen in "Smokey Joe's Café" as well as last summer's popular revival of "Steel Magnolias". Aida's husband Frank will be played by Claude Marchesini who is returning to the stage after a three decade hiatus. The part of Nick's paternal grandfather, Nunzio Cristano, will be taken by Warren Harper who was last seen in last fall's "Rumours". Nunzio's wife Emma will be played by Ariel Aver, a newcomer to DCS and the community but not to the theater. Nick's blind date Caitlin O'Hare will be portrayed by local talent Christie Stone of last season's "A Few Good Men", "Steel Magnolias" and late of "Smokey Joe's Café". Debutant director Wade Chambers is very pleased with the cast and has noted some excellent chemistry right from the start of rehearsal.

Performance dates are Thursday, November13 - Saturday, November15 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, November 16 at 2:30 p.m. For ticket information, you can call Delta Center Stage at 662-378-9849 or log on to our website, www.deltastage.com.