Spotlighted: Into the Woods
By Mary Ardery
Save the date. Some of our extremely talented DePauw students are performing “Into the Woods,” a musical by Stephen Sondheim, based off the book by James Lapine.
Are you a fan of fairytales? Then this is definitely the show for you! But you will still be pleasantly surprised, because this musical is far from your average, simplistic fairytale. The story begins with a disheartened couple—the Baker and his childless wife. They do not come from a specific fairytale, but they encounter many familiar characters throughout their journey into the woods.
The musical includes characters from your favorite fairytales like Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, and Cinderella. Julie Strauser says, “It’s fun to see how all the stories are intertwined.” Strauser, class of 2016, plays the role of Cinderella’s mother.
Although this is Strauser’s first year at DePauw, she is no rookie onstage. She’s performed in musicals since she was fourteen, as well as other types of dance and theatre performances since the age of four!
Even you collegiettes, who may not consider yourselves musically inclined, will still thoroughly enjoy Sondheim’s Into the Woods. In 1988, it was nominated for Best Musical at the Tony Awards, and in 2002 it won Best Revival of a Musical. It’s a show with emotional ups and downs, and it teaches life lessons along the way. Julie Strauser promises that you’re also in for a good laugh. The role of the Witch, played by Emily Barnash, class of 2014, frequently provides comic relief.
And let’s not forget all of the work that comes before the performances. Cast and crew members of Into the Woods rehearse about fifteen hours a week—that’s more time spent onstage than in class! The time commitment only increases as opening night approaches. A musical is no easy task.
Let’s show support for our singing, dancing, and acting fellow Tigers. Find a seat in Moore Theatre and prepare to laugh and cry alongside the cast of Into the Woods. I promise you’ll want to be there when the curtain goes up.
Into the Woods Information:
September 27-29 at 7:30 PM (Moore Theatre in GCPA)
September 30 at 3 PM (Moore Theatre in GCPA)
Director: Tim Good
Music Direction: Steven Linville
Choreography: Deborah Grammel