The Sheboygan Theatre Company announces that open auditions for “Over the River and Through the Woods,” the third production of the Seventy-Fifth Anniversary season, will take place on Monday and Tuesday, February 16 and 17.

Written by Joe DiPietro, “Over the River and Through the Woods,” is a brand new comedy. Extremely funny, but not without some poignancy, the show tells of a young man so devoted to his four grandparents that he has dinner with them every Sunday. His problems start when he must tell them that a job promotion is taking him across the country and out of their lives. Unable to handle the disruption, the elders begin plotting ways to keep him in the area.

The cast of six includes the young man, Nick Cristano, in his 30’s, and Caitlin O’Hare, an attractive, charming young lady in her late 20’s. The grandparents, Frank and Aida Gianelli (he 80 and she in her 70’s) and Nunzio and Emma Cristano (both in their 70’s), are very funny, somewhat stereotypical ethnic characters.

Though auditions do imply some competition, the process is made as pleasant as possible. Nothing need be prepared and everyone is given ample opportunity to try out multiple times. Direction is given along the way and no one needs to fear that he or she will in any way be embarrassed. The audition will basically involve reading selected scenes from the script.

Initial auditions will take place at the Horace Mann Middle School Leslie W. Johnson Theatre, 2820 Union Avenue, Sheboygan, on Tuesday, beginning at 6:30. If callbacks are required they will be held on Tuesday.

Scripts are available for loan through the Theatre Company’s office in the Community Recreation Department. They may be picked up Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. but must be returned by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 16.

“Over the River and Through the Woods” will run from March 27 to April 4, 2009, with rehearsals beginning Monday, February 23. Over a five-week period there will be approximately 24 rehearsals, the majority of which will be Monday through Friday, 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. There will be two weekend rehearsals on the afternoons of March 21 and 22.

For further information contact Ralph Maffongelli at 459-3779.