4/24/08

M-PHS musical fairy tale "Into the Woods" carries lessons about truth and responsibility

Marysville-Pilchuck High School Drama Club presents “Into the Woods,” the award-winning musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, in the MPHS auditorium for a 2-weekend run beginning May 1 at 7:30 p.m.

The challenging musical, based loosely on various fairy tales and fables, focuses on a baker and his wife who learn they’ve been cursed with childnessness by the Witch next door. Eager to break the spell, they embark on a quest for magical objects and in the process find themselves swindling, telling lies and stealing from Cinderella, Little Red, Rapunzel and Jack—of beanstalk fame.

Everyone's wish is granted at the end of Act One, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results. What begins as a lively and irreverent fantasy in the style of “The Princess Bride” becomes a moving lesson about community responsibility and the stories we tell our children.

MP's version of the show features Joe Jarvis as the Narrator/Mysterious Man, Malia

Zurcher as Cinderella, Cameron Woodward as Jack, Shane Hoffmann as The Baker, Lela Kovalenko as The Baker's Wife, Kristine Deleon as Little Red, Erin Ayala as The Witch, Chris Mudd and Nick Poling as princes, Scott Foss as a Cow and over a dozen other students as additional cast and crew members.

 Showtimes are May 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m. and May 10 at 1 pm. Admission is $8 for adults and $6 for students with ASB cards and for senior citizens. Tickets are available in advance at the school cashier's office or at the door.