‘Into The Woods’ Coming To NHS Stage

Newtown High School will present Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods on stage at the high school auditorium March 15–18.

The NHS production of Into the Woods marks the 20th anniversary of the acclaimed musical’s Broadway debut. It opened in November 1987 under the direction of James Lapine with music and lyrics by Sondheim.

Into the Woods revisits familiar childhood fairy tales and enlivens them with a series of grown-up twists. A woodland Baker and his wife learn they have been cursed with childlessness by a witch and go in search of objects required to break the spell. To achieve theirs ends, they lie, swindle and steal from Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Jack, of beanstalk fame. What begins as a lively, irreverent fantasy becomes a moving lesson about community responsibility and the stories we tell our children.

Into the Woods captured several Tony awards in its New York debut, including Best Score. Notable songs from that score include “Into the Woods,” “Hello, Little Girl,” “It Takes Two,” “No One Is Alone” and “Children Will Listen.”

Composer Sondheim has been called the “greatest and perhaps best-known artist in the American musical theater” by The New York Times. Other Sondheim musicals with long Broadway runs include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, A Little Light Music, Sweeney Todd and Sunday in the Park with George.

John Harned will direct the musical, with Abigail Marks as producer. Set design is by Tom Marks. Accompanying the onstage performers will be a 17-piece live orchestra, under the direction of Kurt Eckhardt.

This year’s dates are a departure from the customary April schedule for the high school musical, to accommodate the many cast and crew members who also compete in spring-season athletics.

Tickets are currently available for all four performances, priced at $17 for adults ($15 for Thursday only), and $15 for senior citizens and students. 

Curtain is 7:30 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 2:30 pm on Sunday, March 18.

Individuals and groups can purchase tickets by calling 270-8125 or sending email to itwtickets@aol.com. Checks should be made payable to NHS Drama Club.