Pleasant play

Theater

Lisa Gauthier

Over the River and Through the Woods
Scottish Rite Performing Arts Center
Directed by Rockland Brooks Mers
Through Feb. 4

The Scottish Rite is presenting a pleasant little play, Over the River and Through the Woods, about family ties.

The premise is that Nick (Luke Renn), after spending his 29 years living close to both sets of his grandparents, wants to move to the other side of the country for a promotion. His grandparents desperately want him to stay, since the rest of the family has already moved away. Hoping to convince him to stay put, they introduce him to the available Caitlin (Heather Wohlhieter). Things go downhill from there.

Renn, as Nick the grandson, is a likable, if irascible young man. Renn walks the fine line between the two so that we can sympathize with Nick, but also accept his shortcomings.

Thorton (Doc) Klos as Grandpa Frank is darling — the picture of a typical grandpa. Joanne Burleson is sweet as his wife Aida, but the night I attended she struggled with many of her lines. Duke Thomas Low as Grandpa Nunzio is another adorable grandparent, and Emma Cristano is spunky as his wife Emma. She alone amongst the cast attempted an Italian accent (the four grandparents are supposed to be Italian immigrants), and it seemed out of place. Wohlhieter’s Caitlin is fine, if a little too perky.

The stage area is created in front of the Scottish Rite’s actual stage, which helps the small audience in the large auditorium get into the action. And the set is a picture perfect grandparents’ house.

Director Rockland Mers has crafted a sweet, if fluffy show. The beginning drags until Nick finally announces his intentions to move, but after that, the pace quickens.

Over the River and Through the Woods continues through Feb. 4 at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 650 N. Meridian St., 800-426-9803.