“Into the Woods” debuted in San Diego, Calif. in 1986 and premiered on Broadway one year later. Next weekend, the Stephen Sonheim musical will be performed at our very own Fayetteville-Manlius High School, with a cast of 75 thespians playing characters from a host of Brothers Grimm fairy tales. Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella and other well-knowns are faced with the consequences of their actions that include both disastrous and comical results.
“It’s a beautiful story about wishes and dreams,” said David Brown, director. “It is funny, sarcastic and very poignant at times.”
Brown chose this particular musical for sundry reasons. First, it offers several leading roles (16 in total), giving more students the opportunity to be in the spotlight. Second, it enables the kids to work within the framework of comedy and tragedy, which, Brown said, is “the best of both worlds,” and third, they get to learn and sing the work of Sonheim, considered both challenging and educational.
But those list the reasons for the students, how about incentives for audience members?
“I am trying to give the community something different that other schools have not done,” Brown said. “Being more unknown, though, I worry that people may shy away. Please don’t, it will astound you to see this show — I promise.”
Auditions (104 of them to be exact) began right before December break with rehearsals starting immediately after, in January.
“These young people are solid,” Brown said. “And when you see what they have created, it will make you laugh, it will make you cry, but mostly it will just blow you away.”
Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday March 5, 6 and 7 with a special matinee at 2 p.m. Saturday March 7. Tickets are $10 for reserved seating. For more information, call 692-1916.
Leading words:
F-M senior Joe Cambareri plays Jack, a lead character in the musical, “Into the Woods.” He has been a cast member in F-M’s spring musicals since his freshman year, which included performances in “Les Miserables,” “Oklahoma,” and “Jekyll & Hyde.”
What does this musical mean or represent to you?
This musical means a lot to me because I see the idea of going “into the woods” similar to what I am experiencing in my own life, like I am going to college and starting my future on my own and discovering what exactly will become of me.
Have you ever played a lead role in a musical before?
Nope, this is my first lead role in a musical.
Do you aspire to become involved in professional theater some day?
The business of professional theater is one of great uncertainty and luck, and the rare few who manage to succeed have been preparing for a career in theater for much longer than I have. I just began my involvement in theater four years ago, and my experience pales in comparison to that of a performer who has taken years of voice, dance and acting lessons.
But I enjoy theater at an unprofessional level very much and hope to continue similar styles of participation in musicals through college as I prepare a professional career. I have narrowed my future plans to a career in medicine, foreign languages or music composition.
Lane Brenner, or Rapunzel, to us audience members who see next week’s “Into the Woods” musical, who has been acting in middle school at age 11. Her resume consists of “Bye By
e Birdie,” “Oliver,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Anything Goes,” “Oklahoma,” and “Jekyll & Hyde.” Here, Brenner talks about her love for theater, what this musical means to her as well as her plans after high school.
What does musical mean or represent to you?
“Into the Woods” is a musical that many different people can relate to, which is why it is so wonderful. Even though it may seem like a light story from a Mother Goose tale, this musical shows how even the most perfect stories can have their imperfections.
To me, this “Into the Woods” reminds me how each decision a person makes in their life may affect someone else, whether it is through love, desire or hope, these decisions create the mysterious road of life that we all must travel.
Have you ever played a lead role in a musical before?
I have never been a lead in a musical before, and it is very exciting. It is great to be able to have a larger role with a character who has a complex and moving story to tell.
Do you aspire to become involved in professional theater some day?
Theater is not in my plans, but the skills I have learned from being part of musical productions will definitely follow me into my future professions. I am hoping to major in International Affairs in college and then go on to work in the Peace Corps.
Skills such as interacting with people, taking directions and working under pressure are all things I have learned by being part of a musical production and I know they will come in handy for the future.
