Main Street Productions is counting down its final plays at the existing Westfield Playhouse, 1836 W. State Road 32, before the doors open at the new facility in downtown Westfield next spring. Next weekend will be the premier of the final holiday show in the old playhouse, Over the River and Through the Woods, written by Joe DiPietro and directed by Doug Davis.
According to Davis, this holiday comedy is a little different.
“They were looking for something that is not your regular Santa or Scrooge Christmas show,” Davis said. “This has more of a family message for Christmas. We all grow up near our relatives and there comes a time when we have to decide – often due to work – if we are going to take a better job and move away from our relatives.”
The six-person cast is made of veterans who have done quite a bit of theater and quite a bit of comedy. They are bringing a message that appeals to a wide audience this holiday season.
“I think this play has a message everyone can relate to,” Davis told The Reporter. “Although this has a few poignant moments toward the end, this is a very funny comedy. The last grandson who lives near his four grandparents goes to see them every Sunday for dinner. He gets a job offer and he is going to have to move out West and they all currently live in Hoboken, N.J. The grandparents come up with the idea that he won’t leave if they give him a reason to stay.”
Their plan is to set their grandson up on a blind date the next time he comes for Sunday dinner.
“He gets himself so worked up he has a panic attack,” Davis explained. “The doctors say he needs to rest for a couple weeks. They decide the best thing for him to do is to stay with the four grandparents, who caused the panic attack. There are some really funny things that happen while he is staying with them.”
For people who can relate to family issues and relationship pressures, Over the River promises to entertain.
Go to westfieldplayhouse.org or call (317) 402-3341 for tickets. Although you can buy your tickets at the door, calling for reservations is helpful.