Into the Woods, by Stephen Sondheim, is a show that focuses on four well known fairy tales and twists them in very unexpected ways. “Sondheim really brings up some deep questions, so it will hopefully give the audience something to think about,” commented Lauren Gutstein, the show’s director. This show is able to blend together many different ideas and musical feats into one amazing show. “The way that this show takes these four known fairy tales, and creates this other framing story to it, and how it has the fairy tale characters react to each other is unexpected, yet incredibly clever. It takes a genius mind to be able to do this. Musically there are ideas, melodies etc, that are outright stated and manipulated many different ways. It is a leitmotif that represents a specific person or item. You hear something new every time you see it. I would highly recommend seeing it more than once,” expressed Margaret Anne Butterfield, the musical director. This show holds the tales of Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel all mixed into one. It manages to go deeper into happily ever after and it forces the audience to think in different ways every time they see it.

When you speak to the cast and watch them interact with each other on stage you are able to see some amazing and passionate performances. Jordan Carter ’17, who plays Cinderella’s Prince, said, “So far the show is going well. The passion is there, the drive is there, and the will to put on an A+ performance has been there since the beginning.” When asked about what she thinks of her character and what the audience can learn from her, Victoria Schroeder ’18 added, “My character, Jack’s Mother, is a very interesting woman who isn’t necessarily cut out for the role of single parenthood. She cares about her son, but just doesn’t have the patience for some of his more unique character traits. From her, I think you can learn a lot about the love of a parent and the determination to survive, as well as how you can learn from your children and how they can grow even if it seems like they won’t. While she’s far from perfect, Jack’s Mother is doing her best in a rather hopeless situation, and she shows that she loves her son.” Jack’s Mother is from the fairy tale “Jack and the Beanstalk,” she is the mother of Jack and you are able to see how she interacts with other characters. Oliver Gooderham ’20 also spoke about how the audience can be affected by his character and his show and commented, “I’m happy with the character I got to play, which is Jack. I think my character is a bit dim, but a good person who’s adventurous and possibly thrill-seeking while still being loyal to the people/cow he cares about. I think that what people could learn from the show is that they should be prepared to go into the unknown, even if it might be scary.”

When the cast crew and directors were asked about how the show is going they all have positive things to say about how it is going. Ms. Gutstein, comments “I think it’s a really enjoyable production so I hope that they will react positively and with interest. With one week to go there is a lot that is wonderful and of course we have a lot more to do! Musically it is a lot more complicated and there is a smaller cast. I feel there is a bigger number of strong and exciting roles for the students to play.” Hannah Blackwell ’20 shared the same opinion: “It is still a work in progress, but I think that the show is going to turn out really well!” On a technical point of view, Mycah Nicholson ’19, one of the three stage managers, said, “The show is coming along well, the musical talent is great and the sets really add to the show and makes the musical seem more eye catching. I am excited for show night and it will be a great show!” This show sounds like it’s going to be an amazing success and the whole of Wilmington Friends will be glad to have seen it. The Wilmington Friends School production of Into the Woods will show on Saturday, November 12, at 7:30 PM, and Sunday, November 13, at 2:00 PM.  Thank you to all of the actors, directors, and crew members for your contributions.