WPCNR STAGE DOOR. From Allan Gruet, Westchester Broadway Theatre. (EDITED) December 21, 2005: Westchester Broadway Theatre turns to the American Family for its upcoming brand-new, never-performed-before comedy-musical show to usher in the New Year, Are We There Yet? opening December 28.  The title comes from the opening scene which features Mom, Dad, and two young children on a road trip, and the inevitable question, ‘are we there yet?’

Kevin Parseau, Susan Haefner, Duke Lafoon and Beverly Ward (clockwise from upper left)Take You Down the Road of Life with the American Family in Are We There Yet? The new WBT  musical first engages every parent everywhere with an interminable car ride with the parents taking the kids to Disney World for a family vacation, and ends with the kids driving the parents to Florida to retire; however, the title is just a figurative hook for everything that happens in between, the theme being that ‘life is all about the journey.’ The result is a lively musical that explores the state of a present-day family – and all sorts of families in all of their variety, diversity, hilarity, and dynamics dysfunction. Photo, Courtesy Westchester Broadway Theatre By John Vecchiolla.

Allan Gruet, WBT scribe wrangler, describes the show as being  "In the tradition  of the long running Off Broadway musical  I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, with its theme of dating and modern romantic relationships, Are We There Yet? takes a  humorous look at the modern American nuclear family. This delightful theatrical treat pokes fun at kids and their parents, and is appropriate for teenagers, parents, and even grand-parents."

A New Look with New Performers

WBT has engaged a cast of national actors to introduce the show: Duke Lafoon (who starred previously at WBT in the role of George Bailey in A Wonderful Life), Susan Haefner, Beverly Ward and Kevin Pariseau.

Susan Haefner is making her WBT debut. No stranger to Broadway, she's appeared in 42nd Street, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and State Fair. She appeared in the National Tour/West End productions of Damn Yankees with Jerry Lewis.

Beverly Ward joins Ms. Haefner in appearing at WBT for the first time, having appeared in the National Tours of Showboat and Crazy for You. She was nominated for the Helen Hayes Award as Best Actress and appeared in Crazy for You in London's West End.

Kevin Pariseau, will also be making his first appearance on the WBT "square" and  has appeared in the Off-Broadway productions of Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. He has played Santa Claus in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular at  Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House, and Max in Lend Me a Tenor, opposite the legendary Mickey Rooney.

The Creators.

 “Are We There Yet?” was written by the team of James Hindman, Ray Roderick and Cheryl Stern, with music by John Glaudini, with additional music and lyrics provided by Tom Kochan and Yvonne Adrian.

Among the musical highlights are: “Cause I’m a Mommy,” which is about juggling cooking, carpooling, and child crises; hillbilly cousins twanging out “Blood Is Thicker Than Water,” as they mooch off rich relatives; “Whiplash: Divorce Date,” about the second time around; a touching female duet, “I Know She’s Out There,” and “Baby Rap,” an infant rising out of his crib for a first look at the world. The show is a good mix of comedy, pathos, and lovely haunting ballads. This fresh, rib-tickling, heart–warming musical romp will have you leaving the theatre humming and feeling better about being human. As the show points out, you can pick your friends, but you can’t pick your family.

For more information on the dinner-show combinations of Are We There Yet? debuting December 28, and running through January 21,  dial 914-592-2222, or go to www.broadwaytheatre.com