On the floor, it might be truthful to surmise that dutiful grandson Nick acts in service to an ungrateful and stifling set of grandparents. None of them are thrilled when their 29-year-old whippersnapper of a grandson publicizes he’s leaving Hoboken, N.J., for a brand new job within the rain-drenched Pacific Northwest. There’s defiance among the many 4, appearing out of spite for their very own losses, however not what Nick’s life stands to achieve.
In Joe DiPietro’s tender household story “Over the River and Through the Woods,” now operating at Metropolis Lights Theater Firm, the floor is simply the start of what makes the story extra difficult. Actually, seeing a grandchild develop to be an achieved grownup able to manifest their goals ought to be selfless, however at what price? Mortality in golden years comes nearer with every passing day, and figuring out Sunday household dinners have an expiration date hits these well-meaning senior residents laborious.
Whereas the play doesn’t break any new or revolutionary floor, with the primary act not as robust because the second, “Over the River” remains to be capable of provide some sentimental and emotional surprises. The story because it comes into its denouement is assisted mightily by the terrific veteran forged who advocate with power for his or her characters’ difficult realities.
Feeling like he has probably the most egocentric grandparents on this planet after they make his announcement all about them can be the plain thought. However what stands out is the harm that rests of their eyes, knowledgeable by the agony of their crushed hearts. Nick offers them a gift lifeline weekly to cultural heritage, however perhaps he doesn’t perceive that household is every little thing sooner or later, they argue. Might or not it’s that Nick doesn’t understand he can keep residence and have every little thing he needs? Possibly he simply wants a pleasant woman to maintain him shut.
Cue Emma’s good friend and Canasta associate, who has a granddaughter named Caitlin (Delaney Bantillo). Logically talking, in the event that they fall in love, then perhaps they’ll maintain their Nicky for good.
Whereas that plan doesn’t really work in the way in which they’d hoped, there are some actual issues that can maintain Nick on the tender home stuffed with dangerous wallpaper and overbearing warmth. (Ron Gasparinetti’s scenic design is a pleasant throwback to a really comforting grandparent residence, with George Psarras’ sound including critical crooner vibes, together with lots from Hoboken’s favourite son, Frank Sinatra.)
The ploys of those determined grandparents is the place the actors do their finest work. Simply discover the desperation inside Anderson’s flip as Emma, when she makes an attempt to play probably the most brutal card within the deck via Nunzio, who’s unrelentingly highly effective in his silence. The ache of figuring out Nunzio’s goodbye could imply greater than the others is as throbbing as it’s scintillating.
Mannion’s Frank additionally presents up a defiance that’s fairly difficult, nevertheless it’s his inner-torture that channels the uncooked feelings, resulting in one thing resembling relatability. Regardless of these problems, the play’s epilogue is good and satisfying, as pathos-filled as one can ask. DeHart is a performer who possesses and makes use of uncanny skills to make sense of her weighty characters, and these traits are on full show inside her sweetly nuanced portrayal of Aida.
Hofman has a somewhat difficult process, along with his best work requiring his skill to hear and react to those goofily quirky senior residents who’re additionally fairly humorous. However as is the case with the principles of humor, it comes from a painful place inside, a craving for normalcy because the variety of years start to shorten, and recollections begin to fade.
In any case, when old-time singer Tony Martin croons the lyrics, “There’s no tomorrow, there’s just tonight,” the grandparents hear one thing very totally different from Nick. For people who constructed their whole life on the phrases “tengo famiglia,” they aren’t simply dwelling inside a motto, however surviving inside their anthem.
‘OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS’
By Joe DiPietro, introduced by Metropolis Lights Theater Firm
By way of: Dec. 21
The place: Metropolis Lights Theater, 529 S. Second St., San Jose
Operating time: 2 hours, with an intermission
Tickets: $30-$68; cltc.org
