Three performances this weekend
Cast, pit orchestra and crew of Clintonville High School’s production of “Into the Woods” are in final rehearsals as they prepare for three performances of the fairy tale musical this weekend.
Final touches are also taking place on the set and set elements.
Performances will take place Friday, Nov. 9 and Saturday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. in the high school auditorium.
Tickets cost $8 per person. A three-performance bundle will also be available for $20 per person.
Tickets for all performances can only be purchased at the door starting a half-hour before show time.
The final two weeks of rehearsal involve bringing together for the first time all the elements of the production: cast, pit orchestra, stage set and props, back stage crew, and the technical aspects of the show, like lighting, lighting board operation, wireless microphones and sound board operation.
“Bringing all these elements together into a successful production is a challenge that requires a lot of attention to details,” said Leah Armstrong, high school choral teacher and director of the show. “It takes a lot of effort and the concentration of everyone over lengthy hours of rehearsal to make it happen.”
“Into the Woods” follows The Baker and his wife who want 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 they cannot have a child because of The Witch’s curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse.
Everyone’s wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results.
Cast members include the leads Makayla Easley, Jetlyn Michonski, Trenton Laack, Paige Dunlavy, Emma Zwirschitz and Laurel Pingle.
Others in the cast are Garret Jahnke, Samuel Wittman, Samantha Hartleben, Leigha Lundt, Nicole Kirchner, Madisen Ortner, Sophia Lamia, Caitlin Huber, Mia Peterson, Zeke Fietsch, Gerald Wood, Emma Baum, Stephanie Mueller, Samuel Arneson, Issac Schultz, Michael Michonski, Zachary Hunter, Abby Oskey and Xenia Pleuger.
Assisting Armstrong with the production are former students Becca Torrez and Riley Hauser.
Directing the pit orchestra, made up of students and community members, is high school band teacher Josh Heyer.
“This is a great story that takes many of the Grimm fairytales, spins them on their head and intertwines them in a very interesting and unique way,” Armstrong said. “The first act follows the traditional fairytales that we’re all familiar with, and the second act shows what happens after the happily ever after.”
Armstrong says the first act is basically a comedy romp that ends with everyone happy, leaving audiences at the intermission curtain with a big “happily ever after” finale and the narrator warning, “to be continued…”
Things, Armstrong said, change in the second act, where the dreams-come-true turn out to be not so joyous, and a giant threatens the fairy tale world.
“The ending is upbeat, though,” she said, “but not without pain and death along the way.”
“Into the Woods” opened on Broadway in November 1997 with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine.
It received 10 Tony nominations and won three Tony awards. The show has since been translated into numerous languages and staged worldwide.
Due to some of the themes and elements of “Into the Woods” in the second act, parents may find the musical unsuitable for younger children.