The Community Theatre League in Williamsport, PA will present the touching comedy Over the Tavern by Tom Dudzick on January 19, 20, 25, 26, and 27 at 7:30 p.m., and 28 at 2:00 p.m.

In that most idealized period of 20th-century America, the Eisenhower years of the 1950s, the Pazinski family has a lot going on in their cramped Buffalo apartment. The youngest of the bunch, 12-year-old Rudy, is a smart, wisecracking kid who’s starting to question family values and the Roman Catholic Church. When Rudy goes up against the ruler-wielding Sister Clarissa and announces that, instead of being confirmed, he’d rather shop around for a more “fun” religion, all hell breaks loose, literally. A warm and hilarious look at family, God, and growing up.

Over the Tavern premiered at the Studio Arena Theatre in Buffalo, New York in 1994. Since then, it has enjoyed over two hundred performances nationwide, running for over a year in Chicago, where it was called “a little bit of heaven.” Playwright Tom Dudzick calls this play “semi-autobiographical” about growing up Catholic in Buffalo.

“Tom Dudzick has woven religion into a family’s struggle in such a hilarious, but respectable way,” says Sandie Fairman, who returns to CTL as a Director this season, after directing Belles in 2016 and The Best Man in 2014, “People will see their own family dynamics in this wonderful story. It has been heartwarming to see this cast come together as a family on and off stage. They make me laugh every night!”

Aidan Connor, a 7th-grade student at C.E. McCall Middle School in Montoursville plays Rudy, the play’s protagonist. “I hope audiences will get six unique characters with different personalities and an interesting story that unfolds,” Connor says, “I think this story is important because it’s based on the author’s life, and it’s about growing up, and I think everyone can relate to it in some way. This cast has been very encouraging as I’ve been working on this part.”

The cast of Over the Tavern features familiar Community Theatre League performers, as well as cast members brand new to the company. The cast includes Aidan Connor as Rudy, Tara Deljanovan as Sister Clarissa, and Danielle Velkoff, Jason Kriner, Nicholas Fischer, Jaycie Neubauer, and Adam Fox as the Pazinski family. The Production Staff includes Sandie Fairman, Heather Myers, Sara Jones, Brenda Nichols, Missy Black, and Tom Wilson.

This production is sponsored by The Holtzman Family in Memory of Donald G. Holtzman.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.ctlshows.com, in person at the Box Office, or by phone at (570) 327-1777.

OVER THE TAVERN is produced through special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc., New York.

The Community Theatre League, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is Williamsport’s premiere community theatre. Founded in 1976 with the vision of creating a true community-driven organization focused on making, promoting and supporting the performing arts, The Community Theatre League has presented over 200 Mainstage productions. CTL regularly produces at least 10 plays or musicals throughout the year, as well as special concert events and the Sprouts children’s series. CTL holds a variety of summer camps for students of all ages, organizes the annual Ray of Light Awards for high school theatre and drama programs, and is the home of the Community Academy of Stage and Theatre.