Sondheim’s and Lapine’s Musical Comedy about Six Fairy Tales Defining Life Opens November 11, 2016 at the Puffenberger Auditorium

           

            What happens when six fairy tales combine together to tell the story of life through the eyes of their characters.  There is Cinderella living happily ever after with her prince.  Or does she?  Does charming mean sincerity in her case?

            Then there is the happy story of Jack and his mother, so poor that they have to sell their diseased cow, only to get beans in return.  The subsequent beanstalk leaves a treasure trove for them, right?  Well, maybe not.

            Of course you can revel in the story of Little Red Riding Hood, a sweet, innocent girl who trusts everyone.  Well maybe not.  Does life turn her into something that would make Rambo envious?

            Then there is the Baker and his Wife who try to have a baby.  Only there is a problem.  They are the victims of a lifelong spell which was placed as the Baker was born.  How do they break the spell?  Would you believe they practically have to break the law to beat the Witch?  And when they do, what happens?  Well that is in Act 2.

            And who can forget the Witch?  She is under a spell also but what type of spell.  And how does this Rapunzel figure into the equation?  Let’s face it, Rapunzel with the long hair and the golden voice may be a catch to some unsuspecting prince but she certainly knows how to tangle everything up.

            And how does Snow White and Sleeping Beauty figure into this?  Confused, well you will just have to come to the Canal Fulton Players production of Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine.  All of the stories are told and you will be totally surprised that one story affects another story, which in turn affects a third story… and a fourth story… You get the idea.

            The musical comedy drama will be presented at Northwest High School’s Puffenberger Auditorium, 8580 Erie Avenue North, Canal Fulton, Ohio on November 11-13, 18-20, 2016.  Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 pm.  Sunday matinee performances are at 3:00 pm.  The cost of admission is $12.00 for adults and $10.00 for seniors (65+) and children under the age of 12 years.  For tickets and information please call David Van Gaasbeek at 330-494-1022 or 330-854-4387.  Further, you can fax a ticket request or a request for information to 330-494-1994. 

            This Music International Theatre play stars a fine ensemble cast.  Playing the Witch/Enchantress is Kristina Currans, who starred with the Players as Annie in 2010.  The Baker is played by Adam Cerrezuela, who is making his debut on our stage.  The Baker’s Wife is played by veteran actress Geri Marken, who was last seen as Bianca in The Taming of the Shrew on the St. Helena III.  Little Red Riding Hood and the Narrator are played by a mother-daughter team, Alison Foutz, who is making her debut, and Cheryl Foutz, who was in Dot’s Journey, a murder mystery which was presented on the St. Helena III.

            Jack is being played by Michal Donahue, who last appeared as Biondella in The Taming of the Shrew and Jack’s mother is being played by Olivia Durell, who is well remembered as Marion in The Music Man.  Rapunzel is played by Rachel Caniglia, who last appeared as the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland.  Her younger sisters, Laura and Sarah, appear as the ugly stepsisters to Cinderella.  Cinderella’s evil stepmother is being played by Josh Rowe, who is no stranger to playing a woman since he did it in Ken Ludwig’s raucous comedy, Leading Ladies.  The parts of the Steward, Cinderella’s Father, and the Mysterious Man are being ably handled by Matt Farkas, who last appeared in The Game’s Afoot.

            Now we have a princess, Cinderella, who is played by newcomer, Audrey Lee.  She is wooed by Prince Charming ably played by Zach Donahue, who last appeared as Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew.  The Prince who climbs the tower to see Rapunzel is played by Jake Sustersic, who appeared in Father of the Bride.   Granny and the Giant are played by Sharon Nolan.  Courtney Followay plays Cinderella’s mother who happens to live in a tree.  The Wolf is played… well that is a surprise.

            This play is produced and directed by David Van Gaasbeek.  The music director is Steven Miller who is assisted by Jackie Piatt.  Charles Hayward is assisting Mr. Van Gaasbeek.  The stage manager is Chuck Bonakoski.