Over the River and Through the Woods
September 9 - October 1
SYNOPSIS - Comedy
Can grandson Nick make a career decision without being advised, wed, and fed to death by his two loving sets of grandparents? Find out what happens where food, fidelity and family reign supreme in this endearing comedy.
DIRECTED by:
Jason Leyva
Comedy by:
Joe Dipietro
Barrie Alguire
Role: Emma
Barrie is pleased to be back on the Artisan stage. She made her Artisan debut last year playing Ouiser in STEEL MAGNOLIAS. Barrie has previously performed at Theatre Arlington in LEADING LADIES, ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, and OVER THE TAVERN. She was a children’s librarian with the Arlington Public Library for many years and still enjoys reading to kids. Since retiring, Barrie spends most of her time square dancing, travelling and indulging grandchildren. She would like to thank her mother and father for being such wonderful parents and grandparents.
Tim Dewhirst
Role: Frank
Tim is delighted to appear again on the Artisan stage in OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS and work with the wonderful cast, crew, and director Jason Leyva. Tim’s favorite roles include Elwood P. Dowd in HARVEY, Maurice in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Ralph Parker in A CHRISTMAS STORY, Matthew Cuthbert in ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, Richard Maynard in MOON OVER BUFFALO, and Theo Van Gogh in the one-man play VINCENT. His day job is Director of Training at CAE SimCOM where they train corporate pilots to fly their airplanes. His full-time job is his family – wife Robin, children, and grandchildren – in whom he finds great delight and whom he thanks for allowing theatrical indulgences!
Susan Haynes
Role: Emma
Susan is happy to be back at Artisan this year after playing Ethel Banks in last year’s production of BAREFOOT IN THE PARK. Her most recent acting credits include Phyllis in SYLVIA (Runway Theatre) and Charlotte in MOON OVER BUFFALO (Carnegie Players). Her favorite role was Miss Daisy in DRIVING MISS DAISY (Carnegie Players). Susan was a founding member of the Greater Cleburne Carnegie Players in Cleburne, TX in 1980. She’s a Tarrant County Certified Master Gardener and enjoys designing gardens and puttering in her own landscape. Susan thanks her husband, Bob, for holding down the fort whenever she decides to chase a rainbow.
Abigail Herring
Role: Caitlin
Abigail is thrilled to be returning to the Artisan stage. You have seen her before as Corrie from BAREFOOT IN THE PARK. She has enjoyed such roles as Mary in VANITIES at Theatre Northwest as well as Elaine Rutledge in LITTLE MISS FIRECRACKER CONTEST. Abigail Loves Gateway Church and would like to give thanks to God above all for his love.
Tiffany Long
Role: Caitlin
Tiffany is very excited to be a part of OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS. Tiffany last joined Artisan for a role in PROPOSALS and has a background in television production, producing, writing, and acting on camera. Her outside interests include photography, running, biking, and humanitarian efforts.
Danny Macchietto
Role: Nick
Danny is thrilled to be returning to Artisan Center Theater after a three-year absence from the stage. In that time he has been a loyal improvisation student at the Four-Day Weekend Training Center. In addition to the Artisan, he has performed at the Dallas Hub Theatre, Stage West, Theatre Arlington, and ONSTAGE in Bedford. Danny would like to thank his wife and all his co-workers at AECOM who kept hounding him for several years, asking him “when are you going to do another show?” A message to his nephews: “Treasure your grandparents… they are truly a gift.”
Linda Much
Role: Aida
Linda is excited to be performing Aida in this Artisan production. Her past roles include BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS at Theater Arlington, THE BOYS NEXT DOOR at Stage West, and UNCOMMON WOMEN AND OTHERS at Fort Worth Theatre. At Frot Worth Theatre. The most important role for her was Boo in THE LAST NIGHT AT BALLYHOO. Linda enjoys traveling, gambling, watching football, baseball and bowling. Linda would like to thank her Nanny who was the best grandmother EVER and who also gave her the love of theatre.
Phil Nixon
Role: Frank
Phil is delighted to make his Artisan debut in this very funny show. He's been fortunate to appear in many wonderful DFW theaters and productions, far too many to list. A few of his favorite roles include: Henry II in LION IN WINTER, Daddy Warbucks in ANNIE, Joe Keller in ALL MY SONS, Caldwell B. Cladwell in URINETOWN, and, Big Daddy in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF. When not doing theater, he enjoys reading and watching sports with his basset hound, Peggy Sue. Phil would like to thank everyone at Artisan for making another great memory.
Dan Nolen
Role: Nunzio
Dan is delighted to be involved with his sixty-second show at Artisan; twenty-eight on stage and thirty-four directing, building sets, props and costumes. Recent roles were Pelinore in CAMELOT and Mayor Shinn in THE MUSIC MAN. Other favorite roles include Norman Thayer, Jr. in ON GOLDEN POND, which earned him Best Actor award in 2003, Maurice in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Grandpa in YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU, and the Governor in BEST LITTLE … IN TEXAS. As always, he thanks his wonderful wife of forty-five years, Connie for her love, support, and patience.
Burl Proctor
Role: Nunzio
Burl is a retired teacher, retired USAF pilot and Vietnam veteran. He is a 2011 Column Award nominee and has received acting awards from various DFW theatrical organizations and European-American Forces Theater. He is a producer and actor in independent TV, commercial films/videos and dinner theater and has performed in eighteen North Texas theaters. He is excited to perform for his first time at Artisan in this, his favorite role. Other favorite roles include Henry Drummond in INHERIT THE WIND, Atticus Finch in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, Judge Turpin in SWEENEY TODD, and Benjamin Franklin in 1776.
Susan Spangler
Role: Aida
Susan is thrilled to be making her second appearance at Artisan in OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS. Previously she appeared as Mrs. Dubose in the award-winning TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD at Artisan. She most recently appeared in BYE BYE BIRDIE as Mrs. Merkle. Other recent acting credits include 12 ANGRY JURORS and SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN. Susan thanks Grampa Doc for his support and her six special grandchildren and Gramma “George” for preparing her for this wonderful role.
Michael Speck
Role: Nick
Michael is pleased to be driving to Artisan Center Theater from Dallas. Most recently he's been seen in LITTLE MARY SUNSHINE and CROWD YOU’RE IN WITH at Rover Dramawerks, and O BROTHER WEREWOLF ART THOU and UNNECESSARY FARCE at Pocket Sandwich Theater.
Jason Leyva
Role: Director
Jason comes to us from McAlester, Oklahoma. He has recently moved back to the south after spending ten years in the north working as an Entertainment Manager for Six Flags, and the Director of Entertainment at the Double Resort in Michigan. He is the currently Technical Director at the Artisan Center Theater in Hurst, and also owns and operates his own production company, L.I.P. Service. He has performed, directed, and designed in over one hundred stage shows from Washington D.C. to Dallas, Texas. His stage credits include the title role in HAMLET, George in WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF, Treat in ORPHANS, Austin in TRUE WEST, and most recently as George in OF MICE AND MEN, as well as the independent films Dirty Red, The Gunslingers, and Texas Tango. For more info on Jason, visit his web site at www.jasonleyva.com.
Branson White
Role: Stage Manager
Branson is stage managing for his third time at Artisan. He also stage managed THE SOUND OF MUSIC and SOUTH PACIFIC. He was the assistant stage manager for PHANTOM. Branson has stage and production managed many shows. However, working at Artisan is a unique experience because of its theater-in-the-round. His stage credits include working for Waco Hippodrome Theatre, Basque River Stage, The Alley Theatre, and for three years the IATSE working on shows from Austin to Houston. He thanks the production staff at Artisan, the wonderful director, and most of all, his parents for being wonderful supporters through every show.
Zachary Leyva
Role: Assistant Stage Manager
Zach is happy to be an assistant stage manager in the production of OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS. Zachary is an eighth grader and a Column Award winner for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Jem in TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. He plays percussion in the school band, is an avid reader, and enjoys video games and music. Zach has been in such productions as ARISTOCATS. THE JUNGLE BOOK, THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE, LES MISERABLES, WILLY WONKA JR. and most recently played Tom in Artisan’s CAMELOT. He would like to thank his family and friends for the wonderful experience!