‘Over the River and Through the Woods’ Schedule Change

The premiere of Joe DiPietro’s “Over the River and Through the Woods,” the Hampton Theatre Company’s first production of its 2022-23 season, has been postponed due to recent COVID-19 exposure among cast members. Originally scheduled to open on Thursday, October 20, the play will now premiere a week later, on Thursday, October 27, and will run through Sunday, November 13.

Updated information is available at hamptontheatre.org. A “talkback” with the cast, originally scheduled for Friday, October 28, will now be held on Friday, November 4.

“We are making this decision out of an abundance of caution, as our highest priority is to provide a safe environment for our cast, crew, volunteers and audience,” said HTC president Roger Moley. “While we regret any inconvenience to theater-goers, we’re confident they will understand and respect our decision, and we remain excited about bringing this funny and poignant play to live audiences in the weeks ahead.

“Over the River and Through the Woods,” a warm-hearted comedy from Tony Award-winning playwright Joe DiPietro, is set in a suburban house in the not-too-distant past. The play puts to the test the concept of “tengo familia” — an Italian phrase connoting the importance of “keeping family first” — through the eyes of two sets of doting Italian-American grandparents and their beloved, if restless, 29-year-old grandson.

Nick Cristano may be living the life of a single young professional in New York City, but his four grandparents — Frank and Aida Gianelli, and Nunzio and Emma Cristano — never let him forget where he belongs: in New Jersey with them, in the bosom of a tenacious, loud and well-fed family. The status quo is upended when Nick announces that he has been offered a big promotion in Seattle. This bombshell revelation leads his grandparents to hatch a code-red plan to map out an irresistible alternate future designed to keep Nick close to home. At the center of this scheme is Caitlin, a surprise dinner guest who might turn the tables in the elders’ favor.

The HTC production features a cast of six, including three HTC veterans: George A. Loizides as Nunzio, Catherine Maloney as Emma, and Patrick Osborne as Nick. Newcomers to the HTC include Amelia Chiaramonte as Aida, Carl DiModugno as Frank, and Meg Hrinkevich as Caitlin. In addition to acting in the play, Loizides directs, with Roger Moley co-directing.

“Over the River and Through the Woods” will be presented at Quogue Community Hall, 125 Jessup Avenue, Quogue from October 27 to November 13. Shows are Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $36 ($31 seniors, $20 students) at hamptontheatre.org or 631-653-8955.