Even though the first three performances of the Gonzaga Dramatic Association’s production of Into the Woods have finished, students and staff can still catch one of three performances this coming weekend, March 18 through March 20. This weekend’s run will include two performances from “Wish Cast” on Friday and Sunday and a final performance from the “Hope Cast” on Saturday night.
Into the Woods, written by Stephen Soundheim and James Lapine, is a story about a baker and his wife who have been cursed by a witch and are consequently unable to have any children. However, there is a way to reverse the curse, but it entails a dangerous journey “into the woods” to find ingredients for a potion to reverse the witch’s curse. This is the only unique part of the story; the other fairy tales that the baker, wife and witch interact with will be familiar, including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and Rapunzel.
“It’s a very magical experience. There’s lots of really good music; it’s really funny and even quite romantic,” said senior JT Off, who plays Cinderella’s prince in the “Wish Cast”.
Another cast member loved the combination of fairytales into one story.
“It’s a pretty cool show because it merges the story of the baker and his wife, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Rapunzel and even more. Basically, mash up a bunch of characters into the best ‘remix’ you’ve ever seen,” said Ben Sylvestre, a junior who plays the Baker in “Hope Cast.”
Because of the pandemic, Into the Woods is the first musical fully in person and normal since the GDA produced Grease in the spring of 2019.
“It’s totally worth it to go see Into the Woods. It’s a wonderful display of art at Gonzaga. It’s the first musical we’ve had here since Grease, so it’s such a great way for us to get musicals back on Eye Street,” James Miller, senior, said.
Mr. Paul Buckley, the GDA producer is also very excited to have musicals back at Gonzaga and according to him, “Into the Woods” is the perfect musical to do that with.
“There are so many great characters in this musical, and I believe we have some great students to fill those roles in the GDA. It really is a perfect fit,” Mr. Buckley said.
If you are interested in attending “Into the Woods” in Sheehy Theatre, the remaining performances are on March 18 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and March 20 at 2:30. Tickets are available on the Gonzaga website and on Canvas by scanning the QR code on the “Into the Woods” canvas announcement.
