Aurora Theatre Presents Over the River and Through the Woods 5/12-6/5

Aurora Theatre will end its 15th Anniversary season with Over the River and Through the Woods by Tony Award-Winner Joe DiPietro running May 12 - June 5, 2011. Just like the box office record-breaking hits Noises Off in 2008 and Boeing, Boeing in 2010, Aurora Theatre gives theatre patrons a chance to start their summer with a side-splitting comedy. In the heart of an Italian-American neighborhood in Hoboken, New Jersey, Sunday dinner at the Gianelli's house is not to be missed. Nick is the only grandson, so when he is offered a promotion that will take him to the west coast, the family goes into panic mode and no amount of cooking can solve the problem. In this heartfelt comedy about growing old, one generation struggles to understand another.

Aurora Theatre has the pleasure of welcoming some of the region's most accomplished actors for Over the River and Through the Woods. Considered one of the pioneers of Atlanta theatre, Eddie Levi Lee (Frank Gianelli) recently returned to Atlanta after nineteen years in Seattle where he was artistic director of The Empty Space Theatre. Mr. Lee co-founded the Southern Theatre Conspiracy, served as artistic director of Theatrical Outfit and has enjoyed a performance career that has taken him from stage to screen and coast to coast. Susan Shalhoub Larkin (Aida Gianelli) has been kicking around professional theatre in Atlanta for so long, she was part of the inception of The Center for Puppetry Arts and Georgia Ensemble Theatre, and has performed at ALLIANCE THEATRE, Theatrical Outfit, Theatre in the Square, as well as on Broadway. Ms. Larkin has made several appearances on television, but the most exciting appearance was guest starring in an episode of Monk with her brother Tony Shalhoub in the title role. Karen Howell (Emma Cristano) has been acting professionally for over 30 years, and has been seen at Theatre in the Square, ALLIANCE THEATRE, ART Station, Horizon Theatre, as well as theatres all along the east coast and TX. Ms. Howell is a Suzi Award winner for Mt. Pleasant Homecoming, and recipient of the 2005 Spirit of Suzi Award for service to the local theatre community. Barry Stoltze (Nunzo Cristano) has performed on Atlanta's major stages for more than two decades, including; ART Station, Theatrical Outfit, Jewish Theatre of the South and Georgia Ensemble Theatre. Mr. Stoltze will sound very familiar to folks as he is the voice behind hundreds of commercials on television and radio. The "youngsters" in the production are Jeremy Harrison (Nick Cristano) making his Aurora debut and Nicole Dramis (Caitlin O'Hare) whom audiences will remember from Aurora's Singin in the Rain. This incredibly talented cast is under the direction of Tony Brown, a long-time company member of the Shakespeare Tavern and director for the past three years of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol at Aurora Theatre.

About the Playwright
Joe DiPietro is one of the most successful contemporary American librettists having received the Tony Award in 2010 for his work on the Broadway musical Memphis. Joe DiPietro has also written the book for other stand-out musicals: All Shook Up, The Toxic Avenger and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, which, due to popular demand, received productions at Horizon Theatre in three consecutive years (2000-2002). His play The Thing About Men was also presented at Horizon Theatre in 2006. Mr. DiPietro's new play, Creating Claire starring Sandy Duncan, will premiere at George Street Playhouse on May 11, the day before Over the River and Through the Woods opens at Aurora Theatre. Upcoming works include the bittersweet comedy, The Last Romance (Old Globe Theatre) and two new musicals with David Bryan. Mr. DiPietro has had thousands of productions across the country and around the world.

Producer Quote
Producing Artistic Director, Anthony Rodriguez talks about selecting the season finale for Aurora Theatre's 15th Anniversary season: "In my job, I see a lot of theatre. So when a play stays with me years later, it's special. I saw Over the River and Through the Woods in 2001. It amazed me how poignant and funny the relationship is between young adults and grandparents. I know this comedy will resonate with our audience as well."

Cast & Crew

Jeremy Harrison Nick Cristano
Eddie Levi Lee Frank Gianelli
Susan Shalhoub Larkin Aida Gianelli
Karen Howell Emma Cristano
Barry Stoltze Nunzio Cristano
Nicole Dramis Caitlin O'Hare

Anthony Rodriguez Producing Artistic Director
Ann-Carol Pence Associate Producer
Tony Brown Director
Isabel & Moriah Curley-Clay Scenic & Costume Designers
Mary Parker Lighting Designer
Thom Jenkins Sound Designer
Courtney Greever Props Designer
Sarah Thomson Scenic Artist
Katie Pelkey Stage Manager
Britt Hultgren Ramroop Production Manager
James M. Helms Technical Director
Jonathan Fries Assistant Technical Director

Performances are Thursday - Saturday at 8:00PM and Saturday & Sunday at 2:30PM
Tickets $16 - $30

Library Preview Performance, Tuesday May 10 at 8:00PM
$10 with your Library Card

Wednesday Discount Matinee, June 1 at 10:00 AM
Tickets $16

678.226.6222
www.auroratheatre.com

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