Theater Heads Into the Woods |
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 The 1997-98 Ithaca College theater season continues this month with a presentation of Into the Woods, a '90s interpretation of the Broadway musical by James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim. Directed by theater department chair Greg Bostwick, the production will run from October 31 through November 1, and from November 4 through November 6. The play will be staged at 8:00 p.m. each evening, with a 2:00 matinee scheduled for Saturday, November 1. Into the Woods redefines our classic fairy tale characters and takes us on a dark journey into their hearts and minds as they discover that happy endings are not always easy to reach. The play follows a baker and his wife on their quest to find the right "ingredients" that will break the spell of infertility that has been placed upon them by the witch next door. The adventure begins when they encounter Jack, a bored and dim-witted boy who trades his milky white cow for some magic beans. Cinderella, Prince Charming, and Rupunzel also venture onto the scene, and soon all of the fairy tales become one voyage of discovery where we learn that witches can be right and giants can be good (this production contains depictions of violence and adult themes not suitable for some audiences-parental discretion is advised). Into the Woods was a collaborative creation of script writer Lapine and music and lyric composer Sondheim. It began its run on Broadway on November 5, 1987, and closed to New York City audiences on September 3, 1989, after 43 previews and 764 performances. The production received a multitude of honors, including two 1988 Tony Awards for best score and best book of a musical. It received the 1988 New York Drama Critics Circle Award as well as the 1988 Drama Desk Award for best musical. The show continued to be a success on both national tours and in London. The cast of Into the Woods includes Jonathan Tilley '99 as the narrator, Kristy Merola '00 as Cinderella, Jerad Bortz '01 as Jack, Corinne Amato '99 as Jack's mother, Patrick Bodd '98 as the baker, Erin Maguire '99 as the baker's wife, and Erin Esposito '99 as the witch. The cast is completed with Crystal Walker '01, Melinda Bass '00, Brittany Alexander '99, Franklyn Warfield '01, Angela Groeschen '99, Christine Emsley '98, Billy Zavelson '00, Colby Foytick '99, Rebecca Schaberg '98, Kevin Venardos '98, Braden Miles '99, Larry Lees '01, Brian Turner '00, Elizabeth Baltes '01, Peter Kutchukian '01, Michael O'Brien '01, and Karla Schultz '01. The production team for Into the Woods includes scenic designer Erhard Rom, lighting designer David O'Conner '98, sound designer Asa Wember '98, costume designer Greg Robbins, dramaturg D. Patrick Shearer '98, and stage manager Keith Sklar '98. Management personnel includes box office manager Kerry Parsons '99 and house manager Jonathan Applebee '00. Tickets for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday evenings and the Saturday matinee performance are $4.50 each for Ithaca College faculty and staff, students, senior citizens, and Friends of Ithaca College and $5.00 for general admission. Discounted tickets are $6.00 for Friday and Saturday evenings and $7.00 for the general public. Special discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. Following the Tuesday night performance, audience members can participate in a "talk-back" featuring the director, designers, and actors. Tickets are available at the Ithaca College Theatre box office, located in Dillingham Center. For more information or to reserve your tickets please call 607-274-3224. Box office hours are Monday through Friday from noon until 5:00 p.m. |