Big things are happening on Upton Avenue this summer as the Young Adult theater program—referred to as the Uptons (up-and-comers)—tackles a classic Sondheim musical, Into the Woods. From fairy tales of long ago and far, far away to the Broadway stage in 1987, James Lapine (book) and Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) have placed a spell on us as they bridge the gap between “Ever After” and “After That.”
This is the second musical that the Village Players is producing for Young Adult theater, following Anything Goes last year. “These are shows that are more challenging for the actors and something that’s challenging for the stage. When it comes to musicals, we always pick ones that we can easily do in our space. With this one, we’re relearning how to use all aspects of our theater,” said Chris Jagodzinski, producer and VP of relations at The Village Players.
The theater’s 12-foot-tall stage doesn’t leave much elbow room for the orchestra, let alone the set. “I wish someone would walk backstage during the run of the show. The resourcefulness and creativity of the backstage scene amazes me!” Jagodzinski said.
Backstage maze
Also amazing, and a bit of a maze, is the scene and set itself. Into the Woods has a lot of special effects written into the script to increase the fairy tale aspects of the show and thrill audiences as the stories unfold. From climbing Rapunzel’s hair to a giant head falling from the sky, the script is demanding, Jagodzinski said. “I’ve pulled in people who have done these things and I’m going ‘What do we do’?…It’s a lot of trial and error and it’s going to be interesting,” Jagodzinski said.
Director Sara Speelman added, “My assistant director for the show is like a fresh set of eyes…I’m trying to figure out, technically, how to see something and she’ll say, ‘Can I try this?’ and she’ll go up there and do it.” The set will have a dual purpose and will most likely be moved by the cast themselves.
The Glass Slipper
Into the Woods won three Tony Awards in 1987 and five Drama Desk Awards in 1997. A new film version is due in December. “It was the perfect time to do this show,” said Speelman, who was so impressed with her cast’s talent she added an extra song in the first scene with the Witch and Rapunzel called “Our Little World.” “The way Rachel (the Witch) is singing gives me goosebumps. It’s an odd song, but it works in the show.”
“Act One is your typical fairy tale and about getting your happily ever after, but what happens next?” Speelman said. “In Act Two, they’re not one-dimensional characters anymore. It’s dark and it’s sad—you’re either gonna walk away loving it or hating it.”
Jagodzonski likes that it gives you some closure, though not without humor. “It gives you what happens to the characters. Yes, it’s a little darker but when you want to know what happens to Rapunzel, what happens to Cinderella, it was nice that we didn’t choose a junior version.”
Into the Woods opens Thursday, July 17, at 7:30pm, and runs through Sunday, July 20, at 2:30pm. $16.
The Village Players Theatre, 2740 Upton Ave. 419-472-6827. thevillageplayers.org
