OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS, a comedy about family by Joe DiPietro, is the six offering of the 18th Season at Eastpointe's Broadway Onstage Theatre when it opens on Friday, February 24. Running Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Select Sundays at 2pm, the popular comedy will entertain through Saturday, March 24.
Select Sunday Matinees are only performed at Broadway Onstage when a prearranged group of 30 or more is scheduled to attend. Broadway Onstage Live Theatre is located at 21517 Kelly Rd. at Toepfer (8 ˝ Mile Rd.) in Eastpointe. It is the home of the patented TeeVeeStage™ Presentation system, which employs cameras above the audience and monitors above the stage to provide audience members with different viewing perspectives of the live stage performance. Broadway Onstage Live Theatre is also the home of Dennis Wickline Productions, Inc., which began producing Non-Equity professional live theatre on the Eastside of Detroit in February of 1980.
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The charming story of OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS tells us about Nick Cristano, a man in his thirties who is about to move from Hoboken, New Jersey to Seattle, Washington, and the relationship he has with both sets of his grandparents. His parents have already moved away from Hoboken to Florida, "..to live with a bunch of old people who love humidity." Nick's sister lives in San Diego, so Nick is the last of the younger generation to be in Hoboken. Nick has made it a point to come to Sunday dinner with both sets of grandparents every Sunday that he can remember. The play begins with Nick visiting his grandparents to tell them the story of his promotion and his move. They don't take it well. In fact, they think the reason that he is leaving is because "He has no reason to stay. So…we give him a reason to stay." With that, the grandparents, Frank and Aida, his mother's parents, and Nunzio and Emma, his father's parents, arrange a blind date with Emma's canasta partner's granddaughter, Caitlain. It is not a match or an evening made in heaven, but it is certainly fun and entertaining. |
Portraying Nick is Broadway Onstage favorite John Arden McClure. Mr. McClure has appeared in a number of productions at Broadway Onstage including the title role in DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE several seasons ago. Dennis Wickline and his wife, Olivia, portray Frank and Aida. Ms. Wickline appeared in the same role for Grosse Pointe Theatre when they presented the play in 2005. Also appearing from that 2005 Grosse Pointe Theatre production is Sal Rubino as Nunzio. Star Rothe returns to Broadway Onstage to portray Caitlain. Ms. Rothe first appeared at Broadway Onstage as Luisa in THE SOUND OF MUSIC in 1995 at the age of 8.
The production is under the able direction of Donna DiSante, who is also appearing as Emma in the production. Ms. Disante directed a number of versions of THE NUTCRACKER'S NUTS at Broadway Onstage as well as appearing as Minnie in the popular production. Co-Director for OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS is Dennis Wickline.
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Tickets for Opening Night Friday, February 24 are $14. Tickets for all other performances are $16. Group Rates and Performances are available. Again, Broadway Onstage is located at 21517 Kelly Rd. at Toepfer (8 1/2 Mile Rd.) in Eastpointe, Michigan. Ticket Reservations are recommended by calling (586) 771-6333. |
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JOHN ARDEN MCCLURE (Nick) - John just gave very memorable performances as Beane in LOVE SONG, Herb in THE CHRISTMAS CAROL CAPER, SCROOGE THIS! and appeared as Grant in CAHOOTS. He stage managed THE SEX MANIAC this past summer and last spring's THE BROADWAY ONSTAGE MURDERS. He appeared as R.A.P. Blotkin in A MUSICAL SALUTE TO VAUDEVILLE AND BURLESQUE to close last season. He was seen as Professor S.F.X. Van Dusen in THE PROBLEM OF CELL 13 (which he also wrote), Sherlock Holmes in SHERLOCK HOLMES IS COMING TO DINNER, Sam in THE LAST GREAT BRITISH SEX FARCE EVER!, Warren in THE SOCIAL SECURITY MURDERS and Jeff in THE SCOTTISH PLAY here. He also portrayed Dirk in THE CRAZY TIME in the spring of 2010. John was seen as Richie in LOVERS AND OTHER STRANGERS and Mitch in MURDER AT THE HOWARD JOHNSON'S in 2009. He followed that by portraying Dr. Emrich in THE WEREWOLF OF THE FULL MOON. He took on the title roles in our closer in 2009 DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE to great acclaim. John was seen as Remnar in our 2007-2008 closer ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT and was seen in our fall 2008 production of HARVEY as Mr. Wilson. He portrayed CHUCK, one of the moving men, in MIXED EMOTIONS here several seasons ago. John was also seen as Inspector Davies in SOMETHING TO HIDE, and also in A THOUSAND CLOWNS in the fall of 2007. John's first appearance on our stage was in 2005 as Charley in THE BOOK OF MURDER. Since then his resume also includes Charles Wellington York in 2007's SHERLOCK'S VEILED SECRET and Dr. Zubritsky in FOOLS. He has also appeared as Benny in EPIC PROPORTIONS, Reverend Chasuble in THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, Donnie in THE FOURSOME, Charlie Dugan in APRIL, MAE AND JUNE, and Mellersh Wilton in ENCHANTED APRIL. John is also a theatrical veteran for other area groups, having portrayed Ranger Tom in ESCANABA IN DA MOONLIGHT, Bozidar in DEAR SANTA, and Trent in THE LAST RESORT for Starbrite Dinner Theatre. He is also a member of Grosse Pointe Theatre, having portrayed Anthony Marston in TEN LITTLE INDIANS and Kenny Norman in PROPOSALS. We welcome him back to our stage! |  |
OLIVIA LORIA WICKLINE (Aida) - Liv was seen here in December of 2010 as Dorothy in our last production of THE NUTCRACKER'S NUTS. She was seen as Peggy three seasons ago here in WEEKEND COMEDY. In other professional endeavors, she appeared as Louise, Clive Owen's secretary, in the David Schwimmer film TRUST and was also seen as the housekeeper, Mrs. Polanski, in the Hallmark Channel film SMOOCH. She was seen several seasons ago in 70 GIRLS 70 at Grosse Pointe Theatre, and was also seen there in 2005 as Ida in their production of OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS, for which she received a Clarence Award for Best Supporting Actress. Liv has also been seen on our stage on a number of other occasions. She was seen several seasons ago as Fonsia Dorsey in THE GIN GAME. She was also seen as Florence in 2001 in THE RETURN OF HERBERT BRACEWELL. She gave a memorable turn as Stella Mae in our critical and popular success COME BACK TO THE FIVE AND DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN in 2000. She was Sister Mary Christina Columbus, the exploring nun, during our first season production of the musical spoof MOTHER SUPERIOR'S HABITS. She later appeared as Olive Madison in the female version of THE ODD COUPLE that same season, and portrayed Hattie in LAUNDRY AND BOURBON & LONE STAR in 1996. Liv is always a joy to watch, and we're happy to have her back on our stage again. She is dedicating her performance tonight to her mother, father and grandmother. Thanks for everything, Liv! |  |
DENNIS WICKLINE (Frank, Co-Director) - Dennis was just seen as Olin in THE CHRISTMAS CAROL CAPER, SCROOGE THIS! Dennis portrayed Hector in THE NUTCRACKER'S NUTS here in December of 2010. He portrayed Miles in our spring 2010 comedy THE CRAZY TIME as well as appearing as Ty in THE SCOTTISH PLAY to close our 2009-2010 Season. He portrayed David O'Selznick in MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS and Elwood P. Dowd in HARVEY in the fall of 2008. He was seen as Major Powell in CORPSE and Frank in WEEKEND COMEDY here in 2008. Dennis was also seen as Bradley in THE COCKTAIL HOUR in the fall of 2004, among other productions. He is the producer of all shows at Broadway Onstage. He began producing theatre in February of 1980 at Stouffer's Eastland. This season is his thirtieth of producing non-Equity professional theatre in the Detroit Metropolitan area. He is the author of a number of plays and musicals, including THE NUTCRACKER'S NUTS. He also appeared as Fagin in Grosse Pointe Theatre's 2001 production of OLIVER! and was seen as Joe Keller in their production of ALL MY SONS in March of 2005. Dennis was also seen here in the thriller THE WOMAN IN BLACK in the fall of 2002, portraying 5 separate characters. He also directed GPT's 2005 SHOWBOAT and 2008's JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT. |  |
SAL RUBINO (Nunzio) - Sal is making his return to our stage after an absence of several years. He appeared as Watson in our production of SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CURSE OF THE SIGN OF FOUR in 2003. Sal was seen as Frankie in the spring of 2003 in our comedy hit BREAKING LETS. He is also very active with other area groups on a professional and community level. He portrayed Sweeney Todd in St. Clair Shores Players' production of SWEENEY TODD several seasons ago, Mr. Kirby in YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU, and Manolo in the female version of THE ODD COUPLE. He has been a regular participant in the Tuesday Night Improv at Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle. He was also active with Grosse Pointe Theatre, portraying Sipos in their 2000 production of SHE LOVES ME, and Tom Hayden in SEVEN KEYS TO BALDPATE earlier that year. He also appeared as Nunzio in their 2005 production of OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS. He was just seen as Detroit Attorney Thomas Chawke in DR. SWEET'S TINDERBOX at the Charles H. Wright Museum in Detroit. He was also seen onscreen, as an extra, in the Hollywood movie KILL THE IRISHMAN. He wants to thank his wife, Sandy, for her love and support and dedicates his performance to his two granddaughters, Sophia and Mia. It's a pleasure to have him back on our stage! |  |
DONNA DISANTE (Emma, Co-Director) - Donna directed each version of THE NUTCRACKER'S NUTS through 2006 and then took on the role of Minnie for the four subsequent productions. Donna appeared as Veta in HARVEY and Addie in THE LADIES OF HARMONY several seasons ago, as well as directing our spring 2009 production of MIXED EMOTIONS. She has also appeared on our stage on several other occasions. She was Miss Prism in our season closer in 2005, THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST and appeared as Person 1 in EPIC PROPORTIONS. Donna also directed our production of ARSENIC AND OLD LACE at the Golden Lion Dinner Theatre in 1984. She was very involved in the early years of the Attic Theatre, and the Grand Circus Exchange in Detroit. She is a Past President of Grosse Pointe Theatre, and has directed a number of productions for them, including SABRINA several seasons ago and GODSPELL just recently. She is always a joy to work with, and we're happy to have her lend her considerable talents to this production. Thanks, Donna! |
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STAR ROTHE (Caitlain) - Star's first acting role was playing Luisa in THE SOUND OF MUSIC at age 8, at Broadway Onstage Live Theatre. She originated the role of Kyleigh in two runs of A CHRISTMAS CAROL CAPER SCROOGE THIS!, and - as a teenager - acted in TWENTY THOUSAND LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA and SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE CURSE OF THE SIGN OF FOUR. Taking a break from acting, she formed an experimental art project called Ballet Noir in 2005, for which she choreographed and costumed the premiere production. She has performed in many plays with Warren Civic Theatre, including THE MUSIC MAN and IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, and in winter 2011 designed and hand-stitched Belle's gowns for BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. A student of English literature, she was thrilled to portray the "Over hill, over dale" fairy in Shakespeare in the Square's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, where she was also choreographer. She is working on her Bachelor of Literature and Studio Arts. |  |
