What is "over the river and through the woods"

a. 1 (&lit over the river and through the woods English) 2 (context idiomatic metaphor English) Trying to achieve a particular task, often with difficulty. 3 (context idiomatic figuratively English) To be lost. 4 # (context idiomatic figuratively English) To lose one's mind.

Over the River and Through the Woods is a play written by Joe DiPietro, published in 1998. It played Off-Broadway at the John Houseman Theatre for 800 performances over two years.