Into the Woods – the first production of the Heidelberg University Community Music School’s new junior school and high school musical theatre program – is coming to the Gundlach Theatre Stage Oct. 13-14.
Stephen Sondheim’s dark comedy takes a Grimm look at the fairy tales we know and love. The story follows a Baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King’s Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn that a witch’s curse will prevent them having a child, they set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone’s wish is granted, but the as with all actions, there are consequences that return to haunt them.
The cast and crew involved in Into the Woods represent 10 local and area schools.
Elizabeth Tracy, director of the Community Music School, is directing Into the Woods. Dani Hummel-Sass is the music director and Rachel Hummel-Sass is the choreographer. The accompanist is Cynthia Ramsdell.
The cast list is as follows:
Narrator/Mysterious Man – Jarrett Newsome (Clyde High School)
Cinderella – Danielle Kagy (Columbian High School)
Jack – Isaac Cortez (Columbian High School)
Baker – Bennett Ramsdell (Columbian High School)
Baker's Wife – Kennedy Lachner (Columbian High School)
Stepmother – Coral Snell (Bridges Community Academy)
Florinda – Amilia Knisely (Lakota High School)
Lucinda – Emma Melvin (Columbian High School)
Jack's Mother – Laci Vogel (Arcadia High School)
Little Red Ridinghood – Madison Spiers (Mohawk Schools)
Witch – Emma Raber (Oak Harbor High School)
Cinderella's Father – Josh Fanning (Columbian High School)
Cinderella's Mother/Giant – Annalyce Bowles (Columbian High School)
Rapunzel – May Coppler (Arcadia High School)
Rapunzel's Prince – Maddi Barker (Hopewell-Loudon)
Granny – Zoe Halm (Columbian High School)
Wolf/Cinderella's Prince – Zachary Pool (Columbian High School)
Young Steward – Matt Strouse (Oak Harbor Middle School)
Old Steward – Drew Steinmetz (Seneca East High School)
Sleeping Beauty– Hayden Cook (Mohawk High School)
Snow White – Katherine Albright (Tiffin Middle School)
The crew is comprised of Cory Lachner (designer and set construction), Estelle Lachner (lead designer, prop and costume construction), Malayna Gahris (stage manager), Kevin Held (props, construction and sound design) and Ashtyn Wolph (stage crew).
Orchestra musicians: Maia Brower (flute), Nina Navarrette (clarinet), Josh Dame (bassoon), Ethan Campbell (trumpet), Cassandra Bryant (violin), Cynthia Ramsdell (keyboard), Blake Depinet (synthesizer) and Joel Boardman (percussion).
Curtain time for Into the Woods is 7 p.m. both Saturday, Oct. 13, and Sunday, Oct. 14. Tickets are $10-$12 and can be reserved at gundlachtheatre.org.