Ranney Spring Musical, Into The Woods, to Premiere on March 19

Ranney School Thespian Troupe #630 will proudly present Stephen Sondheim’s American music theater classic, Into the Woods, on March 19, 20, and 22 in RSPA Panther Hall. Winner of three Tony Awards and a drama desk award, Into the Woods is a musical collection of cautionary tales based on the plots of several Brothers’ Grimm fairy tales. Thirty-two Upper and Middle School students, representing the largest cast and crew ever assembled in Ranney theater history, will portray the cast of characters taken from the fairy tales Little Red Ridinghood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Cinderella.

The first act in this modern-day retelling presents the characters in a quest for personal happiness. Each character has a “wish” that they would like to fulfill. Even though fairy tales generally end with people living “happily ever after,” the characters of Into the Woods have to face their tribulations in the second act. Giants, witches, wolves, lies, and broken promises appear in the woods, forcing the characters to realize the cost of their actions. The musical concludes with a cautionary message for all, “careful of the wish you make.”

Director John Doyle makes use of a wide range of theater treatments to bring the story to life, including dramatic lighting, vibrant costuming, and creative stage movement. The talented cast is further supported by a wonderful pit orchestra, under the baton of Kevin Cotter. Faculty and student musicians combine their talents in the pit to provide full orchestration. Student crew and technical members round out the full ensemble to create this theater presentation.

Told with much humor and passion for the human condition, Ranney’s production of Into the Woods is not to be missed! General admission tickets at $10.00 are available at the box office before the show.

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