“Happily ever after? I wish…” INTO THE WOODS is live on stage September 11-28 to open Ocala Civic Theatre’s 75th anniversary season!
As the storybook opens on this magical musical, a narrator (Kyleigh Wilkinson) introduces us to a cast of fairytale characters – and what they’re all wishing for.
Sweet but slow-witted young Jack (Christian Gonzalez) wishes his beloved cow, Milky White, would live up to her name and give milk again. But his exasperated mother (Patricia Cohen) just wants him to sell the cow and help support their impoverished household.
Little Red Riding Hood (Iyanna Lynell) wishes only for bread to take to her ailing grandmother (Crystal Catalina)… and maybe some sweets for herself. A baker (Caleb Spivey) and his wife (Megan Taylor) have long wished for a child, but to no avail.
And Cinderella (Adrienne Hebert) wishes to go to the king’s festival, but her cruel stepmother (Elizabeth Cook) won’t allow her to attend. Her mean stepsisters, Florinda (Estella Cavalier) and Lucinda (Sydney Nye) are no help, either.
A powerful witch (Abigail Blystra) visits the baker and reveals why he and his wife are childless: Years ago, the baker’s father stole vegetables from the witch’s garden to satisfy his expectant wife’s cravings. The witch cursed his family to be barren henceforth. As soon as the baby, Rapunzel (Lily Capote), was born, the witch took her away, raising her alone in a tall tower.
However, for secret reasons of her own, the witch offers to lift the baker’s curse in three days’ time if she is brought the following four items: the cow as white as milk, the cape as red as blood, the hair as yellow as corn, and the slipper as pure as gold.
And so, they all set off into the woods to find these offerings, and in turn – they hope – their heart’s desire. But in their journey, they also find many strange and dangerous things.
Aided by a woodsman (Isaac Jovel) in his travels, Jack meets a Mysterious Man (Garry Michel) who encourages him to sell his cow for some magic beans. He does – and ends up with a towering beanstalk in his garden, giants (Crystal Catalina) in the sky, a hen that lays golden eggs, and an enchanted singing harp (Victoria Richards).
Ravenous Little Red encounters an even hungrier wolf (James R. Taylor III), who underestimates this little girl. A prince (Daniel Boodoo) spies Rapunzel in her tower, hears her singing, and falls in love with her – but love is often blind.
When Cinderella visits her mother’s grave, her mother’s spirit (Ashlyn Gibbs) arises to grant her a beautiful gown and golden slippers to wear to the festival. But when she attends, another prince (James R. Taylor III), the brother of the first, falls madly in love with her. Aided by his steward (Janik Buranosky), he gives chase, frightening Cinderella into fleeing.
And does love always turn out “happily ever after” in a fairytale? Snow White (Victoria Richards) and Sleeping Beauty (Lily Capote) will find out… once they wake up.
With each chime of midnight, the characters discover that fairytales tell the truth. Curses can last for generations. No one is alone. And children will listen. They also learn to be careful what you wish for… even a storybook ending isn’t what it seems. From once upon a time to the last midnight, it’s an enchanting journey.
INTO THE WOODS is directed by Greg Thompson. Music director is Justin Davis. Choreographer is Chelsea Dellinger. Scenic and projections designer is Kaden Reynard. Costume designer is Amanda Jones. Lighting designer is Xuewei (Eva) Hu. Sound designer is Jazmine Whipple. Props designer is Devon Currie. Stage manager is Greg Doss.
INTO THE WOODS is live on stage from September 11-28 at Ocala Civic Theatre. There will be 15 performances: Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $35-$40 for adults and $17-20 for ages 18 and younger, based on seating section. This show is rated PG. Tickets are on sale now at ocalacivictheatre.com. You also can purchase tickets through the OCT box office in person or over the phone at (352) 236-2274, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim • Book by James Lapine
Originally directed on Broadway by James Lapine • Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
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