Starlight Dinner Theatre presents the family comedy “Over the River and Through the Woods” by Joe DiPietro May 9-18, 2025

Nick has always valued the time spent with his Italian-American grandparents in Hoboken, knowing that each Sunday dinner was an opportunity to connect, to laugh, and to learn from their rich experiences. But Nick has dreams and when he receives the perfect job offer from the west coast, he is determined to take it.  His grandparents - Frank, Aida, Nunzio and Emma are just as determined that he stay put and they begin hatching plots to keep him home, Tengo famiglia! As the weeks pass, Nick feels the weight of his decision pressing down on him, torn between his dreams and the love of his family. With each gathering, he observes the subtle dynamics, the shared memories, and the unspoken bonds that tie him to these four remarkable individuals.

Over the River and Through the Woods is a slice of American life that’s slipping away fast – living close enough to our extended families to gather with them often, each meal blessing the ties that bind. That struggle, between a young man needing to leave and make his own way, and the huge tidal pull of the family who has watched him grow up, is at the heart of this comedy.

Over the River is directed by Linda Granger, the founder of Starlight.  “I have been waiting years (through Covid, school renovations) to put this show on our stage as a tribute to my Italian heritage.  I had been looking forward to sharing it with my Italian mother, who unfortunately has since passed away. This is a tribute to her and all my Italian relatives who have made me who I am.”

Mark Polzin plays Nick, a young man struggling to tell his grandparents heartbreaking news. His grandmother, Aida, who prepares Italian home-cooked meals for her guests is played by Sandra Thomasson.  Her feisty husband, Frank, who is dealing with his declining driving skills, is played by Chris Klaver.  Nick's other set of grandparents portrayed with animation and humor are Ruth Neumann Howard and Mike Shalley.  Playing the sweet young lady the grandparents recruit as an incentive to keep Nick in New Jersey is Stephanie Vosburgh (Spagnuolo).  
 
What is our obligation to those who provide care for us? How do we balance the need to leave home with the comfort of staying? Is it possible to find equilibrium between these opposing forces? Each character presents their perspective, and playwright DiPietro highlights how the priorities of youth—such as career, adventure, and romance—change into the simpler values recognized in old age. This transition occasionally leads to sentimentality, but not frequently.

This production has been generously underwritten by Dr. Julie A. Dodds
Dates and Times:  Dinner 6:30 Show 7:30 Friday and Saturday May 9, 10, 17
Dessert Sunday: 1:30 Show 2:00 pm Sunday, May 18
Location: Waverly East Intermediate School, 3131 W. Michigan Ave 48917
Prices:  Show and Dinner: $33-$36.  $20 children 12 and under.
Show Only:  $17-$15.  $10 children 12 and under
Sunday Dessert Matinee $20.  $13 children 12 and under


Reservations:  517 599-2779 or email [email protected]
Dinner and dessert reservations must be made 3 days before desired performance date and payment is required to hold any reservations, (check or credit card). Show-only tickets can be purchased at the door.
Menu:  Beef or Vegetarian Lasagna – (choice must be made when making reservation), Green Beans with Olive Oil, Garlic and Oregano, Italian Salad with Dressings on the side, Garlic Bread, Cherry Cheesecake Squares

​Laughter:

No “review” possible for the new-and-different-every-time Bare Bones improv show. Besides, you already missed its two-day run. Suffice it to say it was a hilarious hit with two packed houses in Riverwalk’s Black Box. Kudos to JT Tosolt, Mani Collazo, Zane Miller, Oskar Milton, Tatum Cho, Michael Stokes, TJ Kelly and Ian Whipp — amazing imaginations at work. Stay tuned for future shows! 

Note that Bare Bones is an open-practice improv group — anyone can join, no auditions required. They meet every Tuesday from 7–9pm at Riverwalk, year-round. It’s super casual: come when you can, and newcomers are always welcome. First session is free; after that, they just ask folks to sign up for a Riverwalk membership (donation based, a minimum of $15/person for the whole year. Hardship scholarships are available!) Their goal is to be a fun, welcoming space where people can try improv, meet new people, and have a good time.

JT says, “We’ve grown through social media, word of mouth, and events like The Poetry Room and Fortnight Film Fest. Our shows feature a few members chosen through auditions, and we’ll be holding more soon to keep offering performance opportunities. For example, we will be the opening act for The Odyssey by Ants on the Hill improv taking place at the Robin Theatre on May 15th.”

More Laughter:

A SKETCH comedy show (not improv)  “Lanstronauts, We Have a Problem,” directed by Rico Bruce Wade, is coming to Riverwalk’s Black Box May 15,16,17 at 8pm, $10/$5 for RWT members - 517-482-5700 

www.riverewalktheatre.com

Tears:

As many of you know, unforgettable character and Riverwalk pillar Jan Lockwood, who acted and volunteered with this theatre since Community Circle Players’ Okemos Barn days, passed away December 30. A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, May 3 from 2-5 pm at Riverwalk Theatre. Consider a donation to Riverwalk in Jan's memory. Full obituary at https://estesleadley.com/obituaries/janet-j-lockwood/ 

Experience the Magic of Theatre with Puffs

The LCC Performing Arts Theatre program wraps up its 2024-25 Season with Puffs OR; Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic by Matt Cox, directed by Blake Bowen. The play, a parody about young wizarding students in the “Puff” house, opened off-Broadway in 2017. It’s considered one of the most produced plays in the United States, according to the theatre magazine, Playbill.

Synopsis: For seven years a certain boy wizard went to Wizard School. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of The Puffs… who just happened to be there too. This is a play for anyone who has never been destined to save the world. 

Puffs, OR; Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic & Magic is a comedy for anyone who has ever felt like a secondary character in someone else’s story. The play gives you a new look at a familiar adventure from the perspective of three new heroes just trying to make it through magic school.

Performance dates:

April 11-12, 18-19 @ 7 p.m.
April 13 @ 2 p.m.
Location:
Dart Auditorium, 500 N. Capitol Ave.
Free parking is available on the streets around campus, LCC lots and in the Gannon Ramp.
Admission and Audience:
Free. Guests should visit the box office to receive a seat voucher to gain entry into the auditorium. Reservations will not be accepted. Family-friendly, appropriate for age 8 and older.

PS: Jane adds:
The cast features: Caleb Tracy as Wayne, Jonathan Riley as Oliver Rivers, Olivia Challa as the Narrator and Keara Hayes as Megan Jones. (GLUTsters may remember Keara from her recent Riverwalk standout roles in Rocky Horror, Pickleball and Lustful Youth.)

Saturday is Sci Fi Night for Audio Air Force!

There’ll be e a couple of our trademark silly commercials along with two Sci Fi shows: The ORIGINAL FIRST EPISODE of SUPERMAN, and an intriguing NEW Sci Fi script: CIPHER by Audio Airforce stalwart, Patti Spinner.
Performers include: Frank Boston, Maria Cook, Lee Helder, Jeff Kennedy, Debbie Lundeen, Kallie Morrison, Steve Ledyard, Matt Ottinger, Maddy Smith, Patti Spinner, Lauren Warner, Jane Zussman, Mark Zussman

Sound Effects Coordinator: Hollie Lane
Director: Jim Coyer
ONE NIGHT ONLY - Saturday, April 5, 7pm - Hannah Center, 189 Abbot in E. Lansing. General Seating $10 at the door. or at: https://audioairforce.ludus.com/index.php

​Opening at Riverwalk tomorrow, Thursday 4/3: "How I Learned to Drive" on the Black Box Stage! This Pulitzer Prize-winning story explores control and manipulation through metaphors of driving. 

SYNOPSIS: A wildly funny, surprising, and devastating tale of survival as seen through the lens of a troubling relationship between a young girl and an older man. "How I Learned to Drive" is the story of a woman who learns the rules of the road and life from behind the wheel.

CONTENT NOTICE: 
Viewer discretion is advised.
This poignant, often surprising narrative blends humor and heartbreak while telling the story through a woman’s recollections of an inappropriate romantic and sexual relationship she developed with her aunt’s husband during her teenage years. Please be aware this show contains sensitive content, including grooming, sexual abuse, power imbalances, and the long-term impact of trauma. The play also features strong language and discussions of sexual situations. While these themes are handled with care, they may be distressing for some audience members. 


*There will be resources in the lobby for any individuals needing them.


Director Diane Cooke returns to the Riverwalk Theatre with an important story to tell! When asked why she wanted to direct this show, Cooke had this to say, " It is important - both for awareness and discussion. It came to me (7 years ago) at a time when I was involved with a survivors group as a volunteer and saw firsthand how these situations, while often preventable with the right conditions, are also very much NOT seen and cause so much damage - both psychologically and physically.” 

This is Cooke's third time directing at Riverwalk, and she brings with her a production team of familiar faces to Riverwalk, including her own daughter, Liz Cooke. It is important to note that Riverwalk is putting this production on in April, which is National Sexual Assault Awareness AND Child Abuse Prevention Month.

While this show has some intense themes and heavy content, the cast and crew want people to know that this story has just enough humor (and even a little music) to make it a fully enjoyable piece of theatre—even with the uncomfortable moments. Cassie Little, who plays Li'l Bit in the show, thinks that "this is a story that people will connect with on different levels. It deals with topics of trauma, abuse and family dynamics, but with sincerity and some humor. It represents some of the best parts of theatre: an opportunity to reflect, laugh and cry, and to examine parts of life from a different perspective, sometimes through a rearview mirror."
Cast
Li’l Bit - Cassie Little
Uncle Peck - Steven Neal
Male Greek Chorus (Various) - Ayden Soupal
Female Greek Chorus (Mother, others) - Holly Kay-Cannon
Female Greek Chorus (Aunt Mary, others) - Anna Hill
Grandmother - Elizabeth Sauter
Grandfather - Charles Hoogstraten


SHOW DATES:
Thursday, April 3rd, 7:00 P.M. 
Friday, April 4th, 8:00 P.M. 
Saturday, April 5th, 8:00 P.M. 
Sunday, April 6th, 2:00 P.M. 
Thursday, April 10th, 7:00 P.M. 
Friday, April 11th, 8:00 P.M. 
Saturday, April 12th, 8:00 P.M. 
Sunday, April 13th, 2:00 P.M.

Ticket Information:
Standard tickets for this performance are $15.
Senior/Student/Military tickets are available for $12
Tickets can be purchased both at the box office and on our website:
https://www.riverwalktheatre.com 
Seating is general admission; arrive early for best seats.

​Ruhala Center Training Presents
NYC Broadway Jazz Dance Class with
Thomas Ruhala
 
Learn the newest NYC dance techniques!
 
Saturday 4/5: 2-4pm
Sunday 4/6: 3:30-5:30pm
 
Class Fee: $30 or $50 for both
 
Also available for Private Lessons
 
Register Online : Ruhalacenter.com
Or Call: 517-337-0464