Bob Gauthier as The Baker and Nicole Rawding as The Baker's Wife
Schoolhouse Arts Center will present the award-winning musical Into the Woods, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, from July 11 through July 27. Into the Woods was originally directed on Broadway by James Lapine. An ambivalent Cinderella? A blood-thirsty Little Red Ridinghood? A Prince Charming with a roving eye? A Witch...who raps? They're all among the cockeyed characters in James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim's fractured fairy tale. When a baker and his wife learn they've been cursed with childlessness by the witch next door, they embark on a quest for the special objects required to break the spell, swindling, lying to and stealing from Cinderella, Little Red, Rapunzel and Jack (the one who climbed the beanstalk). 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 irreverent fantasy in the style of "The Princess Bride" becomes a moving lesson about community responsibility and the stories we tell our children.
One of Sondheim's most popular works, this timeless yet relevant piece is a rare modern classic. Twenty talented cast members from all over southern Maine bring this classic to life with such songs as "I Know Things Now," "Giants in the Sky," "Agony," and "Moments in the Woods." Among this talented cast of performers are Ann Devoe, Jessica Ernest, Stacey Farrington, Katie Foster, Michael Shawn Lynch, Jr., Adam Mosey, Bob Mosey, Shannon Mosey, Michelle Rawding, Nicole Rawding, Matthew Slipp, and Cindy Smith of Gorham, Keith Halliburton of Limerick, Marcy Parmenter of Limington, Kelsey Franklin of Oxford, Rachel Braunstein of Portland, Bob Gauthier of Saco, Rebecca Michals Rinaldi of South Portland, and Chip Burnham and Elizabeth Phipps of Standish. Into the Woods is directed by Linda Sturdivant of Standish and music directed by Kevin Smith of Windham. Many of the cast members are not only familiar to the stage, but have worked as directors or music directors at other theaters. The popularity of this musical has drawn this talented cast together as well as brought in many volunteers who just want to be a part of the show from sound technicians to prop designers.
Performances of Into the Woods are at the Schoolhouse Arts Center on Route 114, just north of the intersection of Routes 114 and 35, in Sebago Lake Village, from July 11 through July 27. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinee at 5:00 p.m. Call 642-3743 for reservations. Into the Woods is sponsored by Norway Savings Bank and presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019, Phone: 212-541-4684, Fax: 212-397-4684, www.MTIShows.com.
Bob Gauthier as The Baker and Nicole Rawding as The Baker's Wife
Kelsey Franklin as Little Red Riding Hood
Jessica Ernest as Cinderella
Adam Mosey as Jack
Rebecca Michals Rinaldi as The Witch
Left to right: Bob Gauthier as The Baker, Nicole Rawding as The Baker's Wife, Kelsey Franklin as Little Red Riding Hood, Adam Mosey as Jack, Jessica Ernest as Cinderella, and Rebecca Michals Rinaldi as The Witch.