The Canyon Theatre Guild's spring comedy, "Over the River and Through the Woods," written by Joe DiPietro and directed by Ingrid Boydston, is a recipe for laughter that combines just the right amount of heart and humor to provide a banquet of emotions.

Nick ( Tony Cicchetti) is a single Italian-American guy from New Jersey. Even though his parents retired and moved to Florida, it doesn't mean his family isn't still in Jersey.

In fact, he sees both sets of his grandparents every Sunday for a traditional Italian dinner. This is the routine until he is offered his dream job - the job he's been waiting for - which will take him away from his beloved, but annoying grandparents.

He tells them about his upcoming move and the news doesn't sit so well with them. After all, how can you leave family for a job?They devise a series of schemes to keep Nick around. How could he betray his family's love to move to Seattle for a job, wonder his grandparents?

Well, Frank ( Greg Finley), Aida ( Patti Finley), Nunzio ( Joseph P. Miele), and Emma ( Jane Arnett) do their level best to keep him close, including bringing a lovely - and single - Caitlin O'Hare ( Danielle Love) to Sunday dinner as bait.

We won't give the ending away, but will tell you that this is a hilariously funny comedy that is loaded with laughs every step of the way. An evening of entertaiment you won't want to miss.

The show opens on Friday, March 21, with a champagne-and-wine reception at 7 p.m.

There will be performances every Friday and Saturday evening at 8 p.m., and Sunday matinee performances at 1 p.m., beginning March 30. There will also be a performance at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 17.

Ticket prices for this evening of entertainment are $9 - $11 for juniors and seniors and $11 - $14 for adults.

Reservations may be made by calling the Canyon Theatre Guild box office at 661-799-2702.

The CTG is located at 24242 Main St., in downtown Newhall.