Students at Conestoga Christian School (CCS) will perform the award-winning Broadway musical Into the Woods on Thursday and Friday, May 17 and 18, at 7 p.m. and on Saturday, May 19, at 2 p.m.
With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, Into the Woods combines several familiar fairy tales of the Grimm Brothers: “Cinderella,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” and “Rapunzel.” In addition to these fairytale figures, the musical follows the stories of a childless baker and his wife; their next door neighbor, the Enchantress; two brothers, both princes; among others. The show opens with each character expressing his/her wish. As the opening number closes, each of the characters goes “into the woods” to attempt to realize his/her wish. The characters face unexpected obstacles, such as a wolf, a giant, and a Mysterious Man, but each succeeds in receiving his/her wish. However, the outcome of their wishes being granted bring about consequences which they had not foreseen, prompting a cautionary word of advice: “Be careful what you wish for.”
Because the show follows well-known fairytale characters, the production feels familiar and nostalgic at times; however, the original storyline, the lively soundtrack, and the creative wordage of the script create a fresh spin on these tales for the viewer.
For director Kristin Lunger, this show is familiar and memorable, since she starred as the Baker’s Wife in high school at Berks Christian School. She says of the show, “Into the Woods takes the audience beyond the traditional ‘happily ever-after’ we often find in fairy tales. It beautifully integrates popular tales like ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Jack in the Beanstalk,’ while taking the audience past the ‘ever after’ moment. It explores those deeper, darker elements of life, forcing the characters to question whether they ever really wanted they wished for.”
Lunger is joined by a creative team including music director and producer Hannah Stone, stage manager Janna Hertzler, and set designer Adam Lunger. The cast includes 18 middle school and high school students, and they will be assisted by a student team of stage and tech crew members. The cast will be accompanied by a 15-piece pit orchestra made up of students, parents, and community members. Parent volunteers, school staff members, and outside volunteers have collaborated with students in set design and painting, staging, lighting, sound, costumes, and hair and makeup.
CCS students perform a play each fall and a musical each spring. Their most recent productions were The Miracle Worker; The Secret Garden; Harvey; You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; and A Christmas Carol.
CCS is located on Route 23, west of Morgantown. Each performance will have a 15-minute intermission, during which refreshments will be available for purchase. The doors will open 30 minutes before curtain times.
Reserved seating and general admission tickets can be purchased on the school website at conestogachristian.net. Alternatively, ticket order forms can be mailed in, along with the payment, to be held until the night of the show. Ticket order forms are available on the school website. Tickets will also be sold at the door, depending on availability. For additional information, please call the school at 610-286-0353 or visit the website.