 Samantha Gillis/Collegian photographerJamie Garrard, music education junior, Kyler Chase, theatre Junior and Abby Bartel, secondary education sophomore, practice their scenes during rehearsal for "Into the Woods," Monday, Feb 25 from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Garrard plays the farmer's wife, Chase is the farmer, and Bartel is the witch. The cast and crew work endless hours every night to perfect their lines before opening night. After rehearsal most cast and crew stay behind to help with stage design and set up. [Click to enlarge]
|
|
An unusual fairytale will take stage next weekend in Richardson
Auditorium as the theatre
department presents The Grimm's Fairytale "Into the Woods." Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. March 7 and 8 and at 3 p.m. March 9.
Christie Dillmon, theatre senior,
said, "It's definitely not the Disney version. It's a different look at what happens to all the fairytale characters after they get what they want."
The musical is split in two acts.
Roger Moon, director of theatre,
said, "Act one is funny and light because they all get their wishes, but in act two we see the consequences of their decisions."
It's a dramatically complex show and although it ends happily,
"Into the Woods" isn't sappy sweet.
"There are more people who die than survive in this show. But the survivors learn lessons about the heavy toll we pay when we don't consider others," said Moon.
The 21 person cast includes characters such as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White.
Dillmon said, "The wolf and prince are usually played by the same person because in the story they are both users. Both are charming but not necessarily good."
The show includes music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim,
who also wrote "Sweeny Todd."
Moon said, "The music is of surges and pushes, very contemporary
and vocally demanding.
It's beautiful."
The vocalists will be accompanied
by the Southwest Kansas Symphony led by Dr. Daniels.
"This is the first time we've done a show with a full orchestra
in 20 years," said Moon.
Guest designer Murielle Horton
designed both the set and costumes.
Dillmon said, "Our set design is based on stem punk, it mixes time periods."
A big production, the show is one of the most difficult ever done at SC.
Moon said, "We try to do a show every two years that is rather demanding. In choosing a musical we want it to fit the learning experiences of our students,
productions for college-aged thinking people. This is going to be the highest quality and biggest musical we've ever done."
Their goal is to make everything
appear as if it just happened,
while being entertaining, and thought provoking.
Moon said, "People who know the show know it is a little dark, but our world is a mess. It's a look at how we got here and what we can do to fix it."
Curtains open on the production
next week. Look for Moon standing somewhere in the back row.
Moon said, "Just think about it, does the coach ever sit down during the game?"
For more information on show times or tickets contact Lou Tharp, lou.tharp@sckans.edu.
Ashley Holloway is a senior majoring in journalism, you may e-mail her at ashley.holloway@sckans.edu.
2008 Woodie Awards
Be the first to comment on this story