BHS Presents 'Into The Woods'

A select cast at Bedford High School are hard at work on their production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's musical, "Into the Woods."

With the popularity of television and movie revivals of favorite fairy tales such as “Once Upon a Time,” “Grimm,” the horror version of Red Riding Hood, and so on, it is a perfect time to see a production of "Into the Woods," the original mix up of favorite fairytale characters.

This musical has one of the most sophisticated scores ever written, and the talented cast assembled is especially suited to the challenge. Follow Cinderella, Rapunzel, their princes, and evil witches, Red Riding Hood, a lascivious wolf, and host of other familiar characters as they deal with real life problems instead of the promised “happy ever after.”

Senior Nate Schwartzberg delights in the dual role of the Prince and the Wolf. Emma Benson, a sophomore, plays a more reluctant and elusive Cinderella. Senior Rachel Liff will play the Witch (a role made famous by Bernadette Peters), and seniors Mike Martin and Aileen Lambert play Jack (of Beanstalk fame) and his mother.

A buoyant and zealous Red Riding Hood will be played by freshman Rowan Joyce. The rest of the talented 17-person cast does an amazing job of representing other fairy tale favorites.

This “varsity” cast is led by a guest director who happens to have a special connection to the play. Director Bill Westenberg is an accomplished actor and gifted director in his own right, but his older brother happened to have originated the role of the Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince in the original Broadway production. Not only does Westenberg have a fond appreciation for the play, but he also has a wealth of stories and memories to impart about the original production. It makes the experience that much richer for him.

“It’s really wonderful to work with such a talented group of actors on a play that meant so much to me growing up. I can vividly recall going out to the mailbox in Fresno, CA in 1987 and getting a package, addressed to my brother Bob, and seeing the name ‘Sondheim’ handwritten on the return address. I ran inside the house to give it to my brother, who was visiting from New York, and we opened the original libretto of Into the Woods on my bed. So, to come full circle and actually direct it is a real thrill for me.”

Although the fairy tale characters in Into the Woods are familiar, their circumstances are not. Fairy tales often have a dark side to them, and Into the Woods goes full bore into exploring that aspect. Lisa Moore, the Theater Program Director at Bedford High, explains that, “It is interesting that we are in a moment where fairy tales are being revived and re-examined through movies like the recent horror remake of Red Riding Hood, television programs such as Grimm and Once Upon a Time, and books such as Ella Enchanted. Bruno Bettleheim even did fascinating research on the deeper, psychological meaning of fairy tales. We have a cultural fixation on these iconic figures, because they stand for what is true and constant about the human condition.”

The story of Into the Woods deals with these larger, universal themes.

Westenberg elaborates, “It’s a play that deals with theconsequences of seeking for more than what you already have – of never being content with what is right in front of you. It also deals with taking responsibility for our own actions and not seeking to place blame on others. 

Performances are Thursday through Saturday March 29th through 31st at 7 p.m., and Sunday April 1st at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, and $5.00 for students/seniors, and children, and may be purchased on the BHS website (www.bedfordhighschool.org) or at the door. Bring the whole family, and join us for a fun evening of classic Americantheater!