Family Can Be Complicated
Family relationships – especially inter-generational ones – can be loving, exasperating, supportive, hilarious, confusing, heart-breaking, or any combination thereof. Family provides a special tie that binds, for better or for worse.
Psalm 133:1 says, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Indeed. But staying united within families is no easy task, is it? The most loving families experience separation due to job situations, disparate dreams, health concerns, travel, misunderstanding, poor choices, or even honest differences of opinion.
Joe DiPietro’s OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS features a character named Nick Cristano. The play is about the complexities of his relationship with both sets of grandparents.
What is/was your relationship with your grandparents? What images are associated with it? Food? Games? Laughter? Tears? Music? Dancing? Travel?
Do you have grandchildren? If so, are any of the associated images similar to the ones above? Or are they vastly different?
What do these relationships have to do with the person you are? As Nick asks in the play, “How much do you owe those who care for you? How can you repay someone for their devotion? Can it ever be enough?” Maybe, like Nick, you’ve had this thought: “I wish I could neatly sum up who they were and what they meant to me and how they fit into the puzzle of my life.”
This play brought to me a flood of images when I first encountered it, images which swirled among a wide array of emotions. It made me long for family members and friends separated by miles, or years, or time. It made me laugh a lot, sometimes through misty eyes. All those things convinced me that we must produce this play for our community.
Please join The WordPlayers to experience the hilarity and heartbreak of Nick’s family, which may not be much different from your own.
Tengo famiglia!
– Terry Weber, Director of Over the River and Through the Woods
Performances at Erin Presbyterian Church, 200 Lockett Road, Knoxville, TN.
- Oct. 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, and 25 at 7.30
- Oct. 13 and 20 at 2.30
Thursdays are “Pay What You Can;” other times, tickets are $15.
Click here to purchase tickets online. Tickets are also available at the door. For more information, call 865-539-2490 .
Lovely blog, Terry. Made me think of all the family things you mentioned, and had me chuckling and also feeling a little sad. Sounds like a wonderful play. Only wish our whole family could see it!!