The opening night of the University of Mary Washington production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods” was Friday, Nov. 2. Performances of the Department of Theatre & Dance production will continue through Nov. 18 in duPont Hall’s Klein Theatre. Tickets are $24 for general admission and $20 for students and senior citizens.
“Into the Woods” is a musical about a childless baker and his wife, who would do anything in order to have a child. After a run-in with a witch who claims she can help, they are sent on a journey through the woods to find four magical items: a slipper as pure as gold, a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, and hair as yellow as corn. While on this adventure they encounter many well-known fairy tale characters that have their own reasons for being in the woods. All of them are searching for something, but soon they come to realize that what they had all along might be better than what they find.
“Into the Woods” is a collaboration between James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim on the book and music, respectively. The two have worked together on multiple shows including “Sunday in the Park with George,” which won a Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1985. “Into the Woods” first premiered in San Diego at the Old Globe Theatre in 1986. It later moved to Broadway in 1987 with Joanna Gleason as the Baker’s Wife and Bernadette Peters as the Witch. “Into the Woods” won Tony Awards for Best Score, Best Book and Best Actress for Joanna Gleason in 1988.
UMW’s production of “Into the Woods” features Gary Richards, associate professor of English, in the role of the narrator, and Venitta McCall, professor of education, as the giant. The production is directed by Gregg Stull, professor and chair of the Department of Theatre & Dance and Department of Music, with musical direction by Christopher Wingert and choreography by Samantha Reynolds. Scenic design is by Associate Professor Julie Hodge and costume design is by Associate Professor Kevin McCluskey. Lighting and sound designs are by guest artists Jason Arnold and Tony Angelini. For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Klein Theatre Box Office at (540) 654-1111.
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News release prepared by: Jamie Wilson
