Happenings Magazine Previews Over the Tavern
Happenings Magazine
Published February 7, 2026
Carrie Lund Cacioppo as Sister Clarissa.
Over the Tavern at Players Circle Theater
Next up at Players Circle Theater is Tom Dudzick’s Over the Tavern, playing Feb. 10 through March 8.
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, wise-cracking kid who’s starting to question family values and the Roman Catholic Church.
When Rudy goes up against the ruler-wielding Sister Clarissa (played by Carrie Lund-Cacioppo) and announces that instead of being confirmed he’d rather shop around for a more “fun” religion, all hell breaks loose.
This hilarious look at family, growing up, and God was praised as “Absolutely enchanting… a little bit of heaven” by The Chicago Tribune.
“This is the perfect play to follow our production of Little Women the Musical, a heartwarming and touching comedy that reminds us what being a family is all about,” states artistic director Robert Cacioppo.
Players Circle was lauded by Gulf Coast News and BroadwayWorld for their recent production of Dudzick’s Greetings, landing sold-out performances and unanimous positive feedback.
“This is a highly relatable comedy that we can all enjoy together. Fort Myers audiences love Dudzick’s plays because he writes with razor-sharp wit about the most universal topic, family,” continued Cacioppo.
The cast features Players Circle ensemble members Carrie Lund Cacioppo, Kimberly Suskind and Ted Wioncek III. Meanwhile, Gianni Saverio, Gavin Wiley, Grant Wiley, Cadence Bambrey-Zedd makes their Players Circle debut.
Off-stage married couple, Wioncek and Suskind, play on stage husband and wife, as Carrie Lund Cacioppo steps into the role of the ever dogmatic Sister Clarissa.
“Over the Tavern offers heart as big as it’s laughs! It is truly heaven sent,” cheers Cacioppo.
Players Circle Theater is located at 13211 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers. For more information, call 239-800-3292.
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