Simsbury Students to Present "Into the Woods"

Students at Simsbury High School will present Into the Woods on consecutive weekends Jan. 29-31 (snow date Feb. 4) and Feb. 5-7 (snow date Feb. 8) in the school’s auditorium at 34 Farms Village Road.

The Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7 p.m. The Sunday performances begin at 2 p.m. Reserved seating is available by purchasing tickets online through the Simsbury Public Schools website, www.simsbury.k12.ct.us.

The all-student cast will take you on a winding storybook journey as familiar fairy tale characters go into the woods, each on a quest to fulfill their wishes and dreams. The story, told by a Narrator, follows the Baker and his wife who desire to have a child of their own; the Witch who has placed this childless curse upon them; Cinderella who wishes to attend the ball; Jack who wishes his cow would give milk so he wouldn’t be forced to sell her; Jack’s mother who wishes for gold; Little Red Riding Hood who wishes for some bread to take to her grandmother’s house; and two princes searching in agony for the women they love. A mysterious man, some magic beans, a cow, a slipper, hair as yellow as corn and a red cloak; the individual tales become intertwined as the characters’ paths cross in the woods. It is through their stories we understand that wishes have consequences and, sometimes, we should be careful what we wish for.

Dr. Stuart Younse is the Artistic Director for SHS’s musical production. “Though there are many themes in Into the Woods, the concept of community is so important in the world in which we live. Throughout the play, the characters begin to understand that, unless they work together and take care of each other, they will never make it out of the woods. What an important idea for our world. Each of our actions affects all others on the planet.”

Lead roles in the show are played by Simsbury High School students Brendan Barnard (Narrator), Maia Czaikowski (Cinderella), Brian Hanshaw (Jack), Zoë Eisenhaure (Jack’s mother), Gabe Garcia (the Baker), Dana Winslow (the Baker’s Wife), Kate Angus (Cinderella’s Stepmother), Maiya Pascouche (Florinda), Hannah Cary (Lucinda), Kristin Weiss (Cinderella’s mother), Noah Burrick (Cinderella’s father), Olivia Coe (Little Red Riding Hood), Katelyn Paddock (the Witch), Jacob Katz (the Mysterious Man), Ian Braverman (the Wolf), Breanna Pryzbek (Granny), Sarah Ursini (Rapunzel), William Shaw (Rapunzel’s Prince), and Tim Amarell (Cinderella’s Prince). An ensemble and dance corps has been added to help tell the story, and completes the cast of 44 students.

Robert Tomasulo returns as Vocal Music Director and Orchestral Director. “As we are well underway with, what is now, the 6th production I’ve worked on at SHS, I am ceaselessly amazed at the focus and attitude each student brings to the rehearsal process. Sondheim’s score intertwines vivid and complex music throughout the entire show which means each student, both in the cast and the orchestra, must display an immense amount of sensitivity and cognizance to this perpetual underscore.”

Kate Morran joins as an adult creative contributor again this year, her third SHS musical production as Assistant Director and Choreographer, and her 7th year overall as a contributor to the production. “Into the Woods is an incredible piece of theater not just for the story and music but more importantly for how much it makes the audience think about life. Sondheim captures beautifully the element of dark and light that all humans have within us.”

The set for Into the Woods will transform the auditorium, giving the audience a feeling of being transported to the edge of a dark, fairy tale-esque wood. The student and parent run tech crew has been busy bringing this transformation to life. The costuming, both beautiful and expressive, will evoke a druid-like feel inspired by celtic folklore.

“What a pleasure it is to work on such a beautiful musical with amazing students, colleagues, and parents. We are definitely a community of artists who support each other, work well together, and have a passion that creates more than the sum of our parts,” said Dr. Younse.

Adult creative contributors include Kate Morran (Assistant Director and Choreographer), Robert Tomasulo (Vocal Music Director and Orchestral Director), Linda Milton (Costume Design), Timothy Reed (Lighting Design), Michael Hunter (Set Design and Technical Director), Kylie Hoey (Assistant Technical Director), Angela Griffin (Producer) and Carole Twohig (Associate Producer).

As opening night approaches, after months of rehearsal, Robert Tomasulo reflected on this year’s experience. “As we move forward into the last couple weeks of the rehearsal process, I am eager to begin fine-tuning the details of this piece—a pivotal process in effectively interpreting any work by Sondheim. I am looking forward to end of January, when the students will be able to present their incredible work on one of the greatest musical theater pieces of the 20th century.”

Kate Morran added, “It’s been special to witness this immensely talented group of young people explore the material with such dedication. I cannot wait for the community of Simsbury to experience the magic we have been creating for the last few months.”

Tickets for Into the Woods are $15 for adults and $12 for senior citizens and students. Tickets for reserved seating are now available at www.simsbury.k12.ct.us. Tickets can also be purchased in the lobby of Simsbury High School 45 minutes prior to the start of each show on a first come-first served basis. Those in need of assistance can call 860-658-0451, ext. 991, and leave a message.