Over the Tavern Returns to the Erie Playhouse
A comedic take on faith, family, and growing up
BEGINNING FRIDAY, NOV. 6
This month, the Erie Playhouse takes us back to a bustling mid-century, Rust Belt, Polish Catholic household with their production of Tom Dudzick's Over the Tavern. The story is set in Buffalo and follows the arc of Rudy Pazinski, a budding adolescent who believes that having fun is God's sole intended purpose for humanity. As Rudy questions his own faith in the light of his upcoming confirmation, audiences get an intimate glimpse into a family as they face their very real (and often comedic) struggles in life.
For anyone who's been around the local theater scene for a while, this story might sound familiar, as the Erie Playhouse staged this production about 15 years ago. According to director Zach Flock, "One of the great things about community theater is bringing back a show audiences loved, but with a new cast, a new director, and a new take on the production."
The play touches on many themes Erieites will recognize – its setting, class, religion, and heritage – and Flock feels they are timeless. "The show follows a Polish Catholic family in Buffalo in the late 1950s. There are definitely elements that many people in Erie will relate to. But you don't have to be Polish or Catholic to get the jokes or relate to the story," he shares. "Whether you have a big family or not, whether you were brought up in a religious household or not, I think most people will relate, or at least appreciate, the experience of growing up asking big questions."
This mainstage production benefited from running its auditions alongside the casting of the Playhouse's recent Youtheatre production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. According to Flock, "This gave us the chance to see some young actors who might not typically audition for a mainstage show. We have two child actors as the youngest kids, Rudy and Georgie, and two young adults playing the teenage kids, Eddie and Annie."
Flock says having children in the cast hasn't slowed the work down. "Once rehearsals got going, I think we kind of forgot they're kids. Everyone is equal in the rehearsal room, and we're all supporting each other. The vibe is great when everyone is working toward a common goal and has each other's back," Flock said.
As Flock reflects on a season that included the well-received productions of Mean Girls, Hairspray, Come From Away, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, he feels Over the Tavern will fit right in with all of those favorites. He adds, "If you saw any of the many incredible shows at the Playhouse this year, I hope you'll come back and check this one out. The story, and the cast, will absolutely make it worthwhile."
Runs Nov. 6-22: Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m.; and Sundays, Nov. 15 and 22, at 2 p.m. // Erie Playhouse, 13 W. 10th St. // $18-$29 // For tickets and info: erieplayhouse.org
