The Daily Item, Sunbury, PA

Entertainment

Discussion

November 8, 2012

Musical Theatre: 'Into the Woods' opens at Susquehanna University

The Daily Item

SELINSGROVE—The Susquehanna University Department of Theatre will present the Tony Award-winning musical “Into the Woods” from the book by James Lapine, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Performances will take place in Degenstein Center Theater at 8 p.m. today through Saturday and Nov. 16–17, with a 2:30 p.m. matinee Saturday and Sunday.

Directed by W. Douglas Powers, associate professor of theater, “Into the Woods” intertwines the plots of the beloved children’s fairy tales of Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and several others into a new adventure. When a baker and his wife learn that a witch’s curse is responsible for their childlessness, they set off on a quest to find the four objects that will break the spell. Along the way, they swindle, lie to and steal from fabled characters who, it turns out, have their own agendas.

Although everyone has wishes granted by the end of Act One, ultimately, the results are disastrous. Audience members will follow the twists and turns of the plot as the characters learn to deal with the consequences of their actions. What begins as a lively, irreverent fantasy becomes a lesson about community responsibility and the stories we tell our children.

“We’re not focusing on the traditional look and feel of fairy tales,” said Powers. “Instead, we are setting it in the 1950s.”  

Powers said he wants audiences to leave the show understanding that people make their lives into what’s meant to be, and that there is no such thing as “happily ever after.”

“Being happy is a choice,” he said.

Tickets are free for Susquehanna students, $7 for non-Susquehanna students and $20 for adults, and can be purchased at the campus box office or by calling 372-ARTS (2787).

Text Only
Entertainment
The Daily Marquee
Entertainment Video
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.