Family at core of TCT's holiday comedy
By AMY STUMPFL
For Brentwood Home Page
With the holidays just around the corner, our thoughts turn to family and home. So it seems only fitting that Towne Centre Theatre closes out its 2011 season with the family comedy Over the River and Through the Woods.
Written by Joe DiPietro, Over the River tells the heartwarming story of Nick Cristano, a young man whose world largely centers on his doting – and sometimes exasperating – grandparents. Each week, he gathers with Aida and Frank (on his mother’s side) and Emma and Nunzio (on his father’s) for a traditional Sunday dinner.
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Real husband and wife Ken and Judy Jackson play grandparents Frank and Aida.
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Over the River
and Through the Woods
Where: Towne Centre Theatre, 136 Frierson Street, Brentwood
When: Nov. 18 - Dec. 10. Performances begin at 8 p.m., Thursdays (Dec. 1 and 8 only), Fridays and Saturdays, with Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. (Nov. 20, 27 and Dec. 4)
Cost: Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $16 for students.
Info: Call 221-1174 or visit townecentretheatre.com
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So when Nick announces that he has landed his dream job and plans to move to Seattle, his grandparents are naturally devastated. But this feisty foursome is not about to give up without a fight. They launch a plan to keep their beloved grandson at home in New Jersey – and her name is Caitlin.
“It’s a wonderful comedy with some very touching moments,” says director R.P. Foster. “It talks about the importance of family, but it also reminds us that our grandparents were once young and full of laughter. We need to treasure our time with them.
“We have a great cast, which is such a pleasure for me,” he adds. “We’re having so much fun together, and there’s a great sense of collaboration.”
Adding to the fun is the fact that real-life couple Ken and Judy Jackson are playing husband and wife Frank and Aida. John Silvestro and Jan Hendon play Nunzio and Emma, while Matt Grimes and Terra Buschman portray Nick and Caitlin.
“One of the challenges with this show is to get that sense of realness,” Foster says. “When you think about it, most actors meet during auditions, rehearse four weeks and that’s it – it’s tough to convey that natural closeness most couples have. With Ken and Judy, that’s already built in – they’re comfortable together, they sit a little closer, she doesn’t think anything of reaching over to straighten his tie. And because they’re so natural, I think the rest of the cast has been able to connect, as well.”
The Jacksons, who will celebrate 45 years of marriage next year, are well known throughout the Nashville theatre community and welcome the opportunity to work together.
“We always have a lot of fun together,” Judy says. “It’s nice to be on the same schedule, able to run lines and ride to rehearsal together.”
The couple shares a close bond – one that that clearly has strengthened over the last year as Judy has battled polymyositis, a rare autoimmune disorder that affects the muscles.
“It’s been tough, but Judy has come a long way,” Ken says. “I’m really excited to have her back on stage again.”
Along with their obvious passion for performing, the Jacksons appreciate the play’s message of family.
“Our son is an only child, so I know he feels an obligation to stay close and look out for us,” Judy says. “And that’s what this play is all about – that sense of duty. How much do you owe someone who has taken care of you?”
“I like the fact that the play shows the vitality of seniors – I think that’s important for people to see,” Ken adds. “My character always says, ‘Tengo familia’ – I have a family, or I hold my family close to me. For him, there’s nothing more important than that. But if you think about it, we’re all part of one human family. And for me, that’s the thrust of this show.”
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