The Department of Performing and Visuals Arts and the Platteville Summer Arts Festival present the musical “Into the Woods.” Featuring the music and lyrics of Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, this musical is deemed one of Sondheim’s most popular works. With a successful debut and run in 1986 in San Diego, California, the production premiered on Broadway the following year where it won three major Tony Awards. Featuring everyone’s favorite fairy tale characters, Sondheim and Lapine's second collaboration tells the whimsical story of dreams, sacrifice and a journey of paths intertwined by chance exploring the true cost of granted wishes. "Into the Woods" brings an entirely new meaning to storytelling and this enchanting story is one for audiences of all ages to enjoy. The production runs July 26, 27, Aug. 2, and 3 at 7:30 p.m. and July 28 and Aug. 4 at 2 p.m. in the Richard and Helen Brodbeck Concert Hall in the Center for the Arts on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
“Into the Woods” follows a baker and his wife wishing to have a child but soon learn that they cannot due to a curse placed upon them by a witch. After learning of this curse, they set off into the woods to gather the ingredients needed to break the curse in hopes of starting their family. Along the journey they meet Cinderella, who wishes to go to the King’s Festival; Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk; and Little Red, hoping to visit her grandmother. Everyone’s wishes are granted, but happily ever after does not last long when the consequences of their actions come back to haunt them later.
According to Ann Dillon Farrelly, UW-Platteville professor of theatre and director of the production, “’Into the Woods’ is one of Sondheim’s most-beloved musicals, and I am so thrilled to bring this story to life for the summer audiences! This show is very funny, but it also conveys an important message – as all fairy tales do. Sondheim and Lapine want us to be careful what lessons we teach future generations, and for that reason, we have centered children in our version of this story. What do the stories we tell communicate to our children and how thoughtfully do we consider the messages we send them.”
Farrelly is joined on the production team by other UW-Platteville theatre faculty and staff with choreography by Connie SaLoutos Furlan, costume design by Sarah Strange, scenic design by Jeffrey Strange, and lighting design by Josh Lawyer. The production staff also includes UW-Platteville alumni with Lizzie Haller as music director, Christopher Kott as sound designer, Sydney Byas as Marketing Director, and Amber Glassel, Meghan Weber, and Brady Hattori as production assistants. Current UW-Platteville students on staff include Isabelle Emerson (stage manager), Jamie Wodack (production assistant), Matthew Siekierski (production assistant), Kyra Liske (costume production assistant), Emma Larsen (costume production assistant), and Tatianna McGruder (wardrobe). The cast is a blend of UW-Platteville students, staff, and alumni and members of the Platteville and surrounding communities. The cast includes John Dobbratz as the Baker, Katie Dionne as Baker’s Wife, Logan Eigenberger as Jack, Tyler Tollefson as Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf, Stephanie Klein as Jack’s Mother, Blair Kott as the Witch, Alannah Walker as Little Red, Matt Tompkins as the Narrator/ Mysterious Man, Jackson Hemming as Rapunzel’s Prince/ Wolf, Amanda Zasada as Cinderella, Leah Johnson as Florinda, Malia Eugene as Rapunzel/ Cinderella’s Mother, Gen Iverson as Stepmother, Amber Glassel as Milky White/ Puppet Master, Brady Hattori as Steward, Olivia Laughlin as Lucinda, Daniel Sniff as Cinderella’s Father and Juli Clayton as Grandma/Giant. The cast also features Nora Strange, Henry Strange, Noelle Tollefson and Lincoln Tollefson as the children.
The pit, led by Haller, is also a mix of UW-Platteville staff, students, alumni and community members. Pit members include Tim Durst (piano/rehearsal accompanist), Ann Duchow (violin), Nathan Manwiller (violin), Jordan Larson-Sell (percussion), Madalyn Scott (trumpet), Guinevere Diehl (horn), Owen Weitner (cello), Terry Mergen (flute), Dacoda Breitsprecker (clarinet) and Danielle Dillon (bass).
"As always, we have assembled an all-star cast, crew, and pit for this year’s production. I promise, you don’t want to miss the work of these talented people this summer. Come into the woods with us! You will not be disappointed,” said Farrelly.
Tickets for “Into the Woods” are $25 for general admission and $18 for students and children under 18 (price includes the $2 box office fee). The Platteville Summer Arts Festival also offers a 10 percent discount for groups of 10 or more. For tickets, visit tickets.uwplatt.edu or call the University Box Office at 608-342-1298. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.