January 22 - February 7, 2010
When two sets of doting Italian-American grandparents and their grandson, Nick, all get together every Sunday for dinner, there's plenty of food and, of course, advice& find a nice girl and get married! Its 1984, the year of VCRs, answering machines, Trivial Pursuit& and problems. Nick has to announce that after 29 years of Sunday dinners, he's received a promotion and is moving across the country to Seattle. Hilarity ensues when his loving grandparents devise a plan to keep him from moving. This is a poignant and heartwarming tale of family love and relationships that everyone can relate to.
Youll laugh, youll cry, and youll appreciate your family!
Click here to make your reservations!
THE DIRECTOR
Thom Esposito
Born and raised in New York City, Thom came to St. Marys county via
St. Louis University. Involved in community theatre for some time,
Thom started with The Newtowne Players in 2007 and has been involved
in numerous productions in various capacities. Whether helping to
build a set, producing a show, operating the light board, or appearing
on stage, Thom is happy to do what he can to help make a show a
success.
Thom has appeared on stage in the NTP production of A.R.
Gurneys The Dining Room, which won numerous Three Notch Awards,
including Best Ensemble Cast . Most recently, he was cast as the
male lead in Sylvia, another A.R. Gurney play that was performed in
March of 2009. As the author of a One Act play entitled Rapture in
Flight, Thom was excited to be called a playwright and with NTPs
summertime production of Harvey he was called Stage Manager. Now,
with Over the River and Through the Woods he gets to add Director to
his growing list of theatre credits.
Thom would like to thank his family, friends, Lisa Gregory, Keith Williams, John and Louise
Anderson and the entire NTP family for giving him the opportunity to
experience all that theatre has to offer.
THE CAST
Dawn Weber as Emma
Dawn has been active in community theater for over 30 years. She has
been involved with The Newtowne Players for the last 5 years and
although she loves to act, is frequently involved with all aspects of
production. Currently she serves on the Artistic Council.
Her recent shows here include The Foreigner, Crimes of the Heart, Nunsense and
Cat On A Hot Tin Roof.
She is employed by St. Mary's Hospital as a registered nurse in the emergency department, a Certified Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner and a Clinical Health Educator for cardiovascular disease. Thanks to her children, Jeff and Kate, for
sharing their time with Mom so she can do what she loves. All her
love to Kelly, her cherished husband, for his continued support. This
show is in remembrance of her loving grandparents and all the great
aunts and great uncles who were such a presence in her life.
Chelsea Long as Caitlin
A newcomer to The Newtowne Players, Chelsea is certainly no stranger
to performing and the stage. She performed the leading role of Prissy
at Vacation Bible School three years running, and acted in Mrs. Arris
Goes to Paris at Kings Christian Academy, where she also danced in
Cantata. On the lighter side, Chelsea has entertained fellow
parishioners performing various skits at church.
While attending college in Santa Clara, California, she studied acting at
the San Jose Repertory Theater with Bill Olson of Billie Shepard & Assoc.
She has also attended Theatre Camp at Port Tobacco Players, studied tap
dancing at Gracies Guys and Gals Dance Studio, and has recently been
taking vocal lessons.
Chelsea wishes to thank Thom Esposito and Lisa Gregory for seeing the
Caitlin within her, her stage famiglia for welcoming her with open arms,
and the love and support of her parents and sister.
Joanne McDonald as Aida
Joanne has been active in local theater for the past 12 years and
is excited about her first performance with The Newtowne Players.
Most recently, she directed several seasons of the Twin Beach Players
Kids' Playwriting Festival, co-directed The Whispers of Saints, played
the roles of Helen in Heartstrings, Mrs. Fezziwig and Mrs.Dilber in
A Christmas Carol and has costumed several plays.
Joanne also writes plays for children and has been the drama coordinator the past two years at Arts Camp of the Arts Council of Calvert County. She would
like to thank her husband Phil for making her laugh and encouraging
her to be herself and to dedicate this performance to her Nona, who
taught her about unconditional love.
John Joseph Giusti/Giovanni Giuseppe Giusti as Frank
John brings all his Italian heritage, culture, mannerisms, gestures,
accent, and age to the role of Frank. This performance is in memory of his
parents: father Attilio Franco Giusti, born in Rocca di Mezzo in the
Abruzzo region, coming from Italy in 1922 at the age of 16, and mother
Isabella Angelina Sorrenti, born in the USA of parents from Calabria
(southern Italy) in the early 1900s.
John grew up in the southern West Virginia coal mining town of Logan surrounded by family, church, school, and the Sons of Italy. What you see tonight isnt acting but life with all its laughter and tears. Thanks to his wife Sherry and to Thom, cast, and crew mia famiglia ! While with the U.S. Foreign Service, he did a lot community theater overseas. Since coming to SMC in 2004, he has appeared many times as a Newtowne Player, most recently in
Harvey and The Foreigner.
James LePore as Nunzio
James just completed a very busy year. In January 2009, James played
Rev. David Lee in TNTs The Foreigner. March saw his film debut in The
Seventh Stone (check YouTube), and his pro debut in a Comcast TV
commercial. In May-June, he played eight characters in three one-acts,
including The Wake, The Philadelphia and A History of St. Marys
County in 23 Minutes. In July-August, he portrayed Jimmy Cagney in
Shakespeare in Hollywood, and began an internet radio career, heard
daily on www.radiosomd. In September-October, he co-wrote and
co-directed Sotterley Ghost Tour.
Currently he is seen in the radiosomd commercial on Metrocast TV, which he also wrote and directed. James has been performing his whole life -- as a magician, guitar player, vocalist, public speaker, and actor. He owns a
typesetting business, enjoys a dizzying array of hobbies, and wishes
to thank all those who love and believe in him.
Steve Rumpf as Nick
Steve has appeared in numerous plays for several local theater groups
since 1999. After taking a four-year break, Steve portrayed the
sanitarium muscle man, Mr. Wilson, in the Newtowne Players' production
of Harvey. This is Steve's first lead role and he is very honored to
be a part of such a wonderful cast and crew. "Tengo Famiglia!"
THE PRODUCTION CREW
-
Thom Esposito (Director/Producer)
-
Lisa Gregory (Producer/Artistic Assistant/Light Design)
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Wendy Heidrich (Assistant Producer)
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Missy Fallabel (Stage Manager)
-
David V. Groupé (Technical Director/Set Design/Lead Carpenter)
-
David Kyser (Lead Electrician)
-
Christine Brown (Props Master/Deck Chief)
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Eric Fallabel (Assistant Stage Manager)
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updated on 06 January 2010
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