Over the River and Through the Woods March 8-10, 2002 A comedy by Joe Di Pietro Directed by Robert & Stephanie A. Duncan The Cast  |  The Crew  |  From the Director  |  From the President  |  Special Thanks Nick is a single, Italian-American guy from New Jersey. His parents retired and moved to Florida. That doesn’t mean his family isn’t still in Jersey. In fact, he sees both sets of his grandparents every Sunday for dinner. This is routine until he has to tell them that he’s been offered a dream job--the job he’s been waiting for—but it would take him away from his beloved, but annoying, grandparents. The news doesn’t sit so well, and thus begins a series of schemes to keep Nick around. How could he betray his family’s love to move to Seattle for a job, wonder his grandparents? Well, Frank, Aida, Nunzio and Emma do their level best, and that includes bringing to dinner the lovely--and single--Caitlin O’Hare as bait….

The Cast (from left): Diane Arnett, Dick Marcott, Bob Duncan, Rebecca DeFrank, Jim Miller as Frank, and Jody Randolph. Bob Duncan as Nick Bob has worked the technical side of at least a dozen shows, but this is his second shot at acting. He was awarded Pitt-Bradford’s Robert C. Laing Award in Theatre in 2000. Jim Miller as Frank, Nick’s maternal grandfather Jim returns to the BLT stage for the first time since our inaugural production, The Foreigner, back in 1997. He also appeared in a number of Pitt-Bradford productions back in the late 80s and early 90s. Jim lives in Bradford with his wife, Kim. Jody Ann Randolph as Aida, Nick’s maternal grandmother This is the first BLT performance for Jody, who’s from Bradford. She has appeared in BCPAC productions of Annie Get Your Gun and Oliver! She also performed in Kiwanis Kapers for 10 years. She has two daughters, Rachel and Sarah. Dick Marcott as Nunzio, Nick’s paternal grandfather Dick, a veteran BLT actor and member of the board of directors, has appeared in The Fantasticks, That’s Absurd!, Pippen, the radio play The Wind Behind Us, and the staged reading of Toby and Abigail Sail the High Seas. He has also performed with Olean Community Theatre, Woodland Theatre, and Kiwanis Kapers. Diane Kerner Arnett as Emma, Nick’s paternal grandmother Thirty-six years ago, at the age of 11, Diane wrote and directed the neighborhood kids in Snow White and Rose Red. In the years since, she’s done everything in theatre you can think of: stage manager, actor, PR manager, director, and producer. From 1994-2000, she was co-writer of Kiwanis Kapers. Rebecca DeFrank as Caitlin Relatively new to the theatre, this is Rebecca’s first BLT production. She first appeared in the 2001 Kiwanis Kapers as a lady cop. Rebecca lives in Bradford with her husband, David, and two children, Felicia and Ariel. Stephanie A. Duncan, Director Stephanie has been involved in many productions for BLT and Pitt-Bradford. This is her first time directing, though. She is the 1999 recipient of the Robert C. Laing Award in Theatre.

The Crew

Directors/Designers	Bob & Stephanie A. Duncan
Producer	Chris Mackowski
Stage Manager	Stephanie A. Duncan
Light Board Operator	Martha Duncan
Sound Board Operator	Jeremy Garris
Sound Engineering	Pottsy
Props & Costumes	Clare Sandstrom Blatz, Nanci K. Garris, Nancy Coder
Hair Stylist	Gerri Burrs
P.R.	Sharie Radzavich, Chris Mackowski
Box Office	Betsy Matz
Hospitality	Dick and Carol Marcott
Artwork	Dan Wintermantel & Studio 4 East
Printing	Ferguson Printing

From the Director
Bob Duncan
     Technically, I shouldn’t be writing this. I did what any director would do, I made the show happen. Unfortunately, to make the show happen, I had to step in and take over a part. Therefore, I am technically not the director any more, but... Up to the point where I had to step in, I was dependent on my wife, Stephanie, for advice about how to direct, what I should expect from the actors and tech, and how to work the job. When I had to step in and act, it was only natural for Steph to take over for me.
     The original design for the production was mine, but now it’s interesting to see another’s interpretation of my concept. It’s gratifying to see how close to my own heart some things have been, and fascinating to see how another interpretation makes things even better.
     None of this really matters, though. What’s important to the average theatergoer is that the show went up as scheduled. "Over the River and Through the Woods" is one of the funniest shows I have ever read. I’ve been told that it is one of the most popular plays for community theatre, and I can see why.
     Any audience member can identify with at least one of the characters. More experienced audience members should be able to identify with the grandmother who shows her love through food, the traditional strong and silent grandfather, or the two grandparents who have been together so long they can complete each other’s thoughts.
     Younger audience members can identify with Nick, who wants to make his own decisions, but feels pressure to live the same way his grandparents lived.
     Deep in my heart, though, I prefer the technical side of theatre. Give me a screw-gun, a handful of screws, and a lighting instrument to work by and I am happiest. This experience did give me insight into the plight of the director, though, and I am pleased with what I learned.
     The most important thing I learned, though, was that I couldn’t have done it without you, Steph. “Just like heaven...”  — The Cure.

From the President
Chris Mackowski

     Thank you for joining us for this theatrical trip "Over the River and Through the Woods"! In many ways, this is one of the most exciting casts we’ve ever assembled because the cast typifies exactly what community theatre is all about. It’s a mix of young and old, experienced and novice, working together to create a wonderful evening of entertainment for you: their friends, neighbors, and family.
     We have Dick Marcott, the seasoned BLT veteran; Jim Miller, who performed with us long ago and has come back to again share his talents with us; Diane Kerner Arnett, a Bradford theatre veteran who brings her talents to BLT for the first time; Jody Randolph, who used to perform regularly in Kapers but took time off to raise a family and has now returned to the stage; and Rebecca DeFrank, a newcomer to the Bradford stage.
     And I can’t forget Bob Duncan, whose personal commitment to this show has been as great as any person’s I’ve ever seen in theatre. Bob, who usually makes things run so smoothly backstage, donned the director’s hat for the first time for this production, showing a willingness to grow and expand his talents. Little did he know he’d have to step into the formidable lead role with only a few weeks’ notice.
     This is truly community-based arts—produced by the community, for the community. We thank you for supporting our efforts through your attendance.
     Your financial contributions are also crucial. Our annual appeal has just gotten started, so please consider making a gift to BLT, which will ensure continued community-based theatre for Bradford. You can see the box office manager for details.
     On behalf of the cast, crew, and board of directors, thank you for taking part in this production. Bringing the community together is what community theatre is all about. Enjoy the show!

Special Thanks to:

Bob Shunk of the Buck Mountain Ramblers	Dr. Kevin Ewert	St. Bernard's Parish	Harry Malone
Inez Boon	Connie Wright	Lynnette Clouser	Tops
Graham Florist	Tina’s Hallmark	Ott & McHenry Pharmacy	Horizon’s
The Bradford Era	Sharie Radzavich
SACKS Resale Shop of BRMC Auxiliary 24 Pine St. 368-6186	Treasure Chest 32 Main St. 368-2212	Goodwill Industries of Northcentral Pennsylvania 75 Forman St. 363-9106 Donations needed. Pickup available.

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