Students to perform Sondheim’s ‘Into the Woods’
The Connecticut College departments of theater and music will present “Into The Woods,” the Tony-winning musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. Performances are in Tansill Theater at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 25, through Saturday, April 27, with matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, April 28.
Anchored around the story of a couple cursed by a witch, the musical weaves together some of the folk tales told by the Brothers Grimm. Characters including Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, beanstalk-climbing Jack and Cinderella wander the woods seeking fulfillment of their wishes and discover what happens after “happily ever after.”
Guest director Jimmy Maize explained that, while audiences will know some of the songs or the basic plot of the musical, they should know this production isn’t a traditional staging.
“I am excited about presenting the material in a reconceived fashion,” he said. “It is a very actor-driven and ensemble-centric production that takes full advantage of the audience’s imagination in bringing the world to life. We are also blessed with an amazingly talented cast that embodies these characters so perfectly.”
It was those students who drove the decision to mount “Into the Woods”
“They expressed interest in doing a ‘classic American musical,’ something complicated and musically challenging,” said Maize. “The talent of the Connecticut College theater and music students is far beyond what I would expect from a small liberal arts school. The actors are perfectly cast, and are all extremely professional and hardworking. Even from early rehearsals, I could tell that they were going to create a beautiful production.”
Tickets are $12 for general admission and $8 for students. For more information, call 860-439-ARTS (2787).
April 23, 2013