The Sheboygan Theatre Company announces the cast and crew for the hilarious comedy “Over the River and Through the Woods,” by Joe DiPietro.  This is the organization’s fourth production of the 2008-2009, 75th Anniversary Season, which is funded in part by The Stefanie H. Weill Charitable Fund and Acuity for the Arts.

A new comedy, which has met with great success throughout the country, “Over the River and Through the Woods” is the story of a young man’s relationship with his four grandparents.  A devoted grandson, he has Sunday dinner with his parents’ parents every week.  But when a job promotion threatens to take Nick across the country and out of their lives the elders set their sights on keeping him in the area.  Their ploys and schemes will keep audiences howling all night long.

In the role of Nick Cristano is Mike Roehl, who was last seen on the mainstage in” Noises Off,” but was the lead character in the July 4 show, “Sixtties-Hippies, Secret War-Hmong,” and the husband in last season’s dinner theatre production of “I Do, I Do.”   Playing his maternal grandparents, Frank and Aida Gianelli, are Michael A. Eberhardy and Jean Deltgen Enking.  Remembered as Kris Kringle in last season’s “Miracle on 34th Street,” Eberhardy was also Earthquake McGoon in “Li’l Abner.”   Though not on the Theatre Company stage since “Arsenic and Old Lace,” Enking, a Life Member of the organization, has played numerous roles over the years, such as the Reverend Mother in “Nunsense,” the grandmother in “Lost in Yonkers” and Betty in “The Foreigner.”

Lynn Schultz and real life husband Glenn Schultz are Emma and Nunzio Cristano, Nick’s paternal grandparents. Last seen as Mrs. Frank in “Diary of Anne Frank,” Lynn has played everything from Annie Sullivan in “The Miracle Worker” to Nurse Ratched in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” to Hot Lips in “M*A*S*H.”  Glenn was also in “Cuckoo’s Nest” and “M*A*S*H,” but was last seen as the Devil in “Damn Yankees.”  Newcomer Erin Rettler appears as Caitlin O’Hare, the daughter of one of Emma’s friends.

Directed by Ralph Maffongelli, “Over the River and Through the Woods” features a set design by the staff Technical Director/Designer, Dustin L. Uhl, and a light design by Rick Klein and Doug Kleinhans. Costume designs are by Jan Wilkinson, while Kathryn Pearce is designing the make-up and Scott A. Heck the sound.  Audrey Uhl and Lisa Masbruch are the Property Masters and Lee J. Schneider is the Master Painter. The Master Carpenter is Dave Steinmeyer and the Master Electrician is Scott Landgraf Jr.  Stage Manager for the production is Stephanie Gibson.    

            "Over the River and Through the Woods " will open Friday, March 27, and be performed each evening through Saturday, April 4, with the exceptions of Sunday and Monday.  There is also a matinee on Sunday, March 29.  The production will be presented at the Leslie W. Johnson Theatre, 2820 Union Avenue, Sheboygan, with evening shows at 7:30 p.m. and the matinee at 2:00 p.m.      

Admission is $20.00 for adults, $16.00 for seniors sixty and over and $10.00 for youngsters through high school and college students.  Tickets are available at the Theatre Company office in the Community Recreation Department, 607 S. Water Street, or at the theatre box office 45 minutes before curtain of each performance.  Season Tickets guaranteeing admission for all five shows are still available at $50.00 for adults and $25.00 for students. To learn more visit www.sheboygantheatercompany.com and then call 920/459-3779 to reserve tickets or for further information.