The Garfield Theater Department is doing its adaptation of Into the Woods premiering May 10 with more shows on May 11, May 12 and May 17 and 18.
Into the Woods is a musical that combines several of the Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales including Little Red Riding Hood, Jack, and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Cinderella. The first production debuted in 1986 in San Diego, California, and was eventually adapted into a movie in 2014.
Originally, Into the Woods didn’t have much of an ensemble, but to accommodate the amount of people wanting to participate in Garfield’s production this year, the department had to get a bit creative. Ensemble members will be playing smaller roles as fairytale characters that aren’t originally written into the play. Natalie Gress has been the musical theater and play production teacher at Garfield for four years and is directing the musical this year. “I think a lot of our ensemble has chosen their own avenue of another creative fairy tale…anytime you watch it, any actor you follow, you’re gonna see a different journey through the woods and what’s motivating that character,” Gress said. “Although you won’t note that in their bio, pay attention and you’ll likely figure out who everyone is.”
Into the Woods is a very difficult production, especially for high schoolers. It’s nearly three hours long and has a lot more songs than monologues. Hannah Ziesche, a senior at Garfield, is this year’s stage manager. Ziesche has managed four other productions and is very excited that Into the Woods gets to be the last show she works on at Garfield. “I don’t think we’ve had such a musically dense production in the time I’ve been at Garfield,” Ziesche said.
While sitting in on rehearsal, it was very clear how much work is being put into this being an amazing production, everyone involved is extremely dedicated. Zia McGuane is a freshman this year and is playing Little Red’s grandma. “Let it wash over you. Let yourself be lost essentially,” was McGuane’s suggestion of how to watch the musical.
Out of any Garfield production, I would definitely suggest coming to see Into the Woods. Even if you think you don’t like musicals, this production may change your mind. And don’t let price be a factor because May 11 and 16 are pay what you can.
