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UMass Theater Performs Sondheim's ‘Into the Woods’ April 28-May 6

April 19, 2023 Arts

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Into the Woods poster
Poster by Charles Pham

The UMass Amherst Department of Theater will perform Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods” from April 28 through May 6 in the Rand Theater, offering a twisted take on some of today’s most popular fairy tales. It is the department’s first full-fledged musical in more than five years. 

With a book by James Paline, orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick, and direction by MFA theater student Rudy Ramirez, “Into the Woods” revisits tales from Germany, France, England, and the U.S. in musical form. The show asks: What happens when Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, a brace of princes, and a boy with some magic beans are threatened with an ending that’s not so happy? 

Ramirez conceptualized a version of the famed musical that is partly inspired by storybooks and partly inspired by American woods in the cartoon “Over the Garden Wall.” Those visuals can be seen in the patchwork costumes created by costume design MFA student Emily Peck and the two-dimensional props and scenery developed by scenic design MFA student Drishti Chauhan. 

For Ramirez, it was the message behind “Into the Woods” that drew him to the modern classic musical.  

“People can fail. People can make morally wrong choices, but then come back and make the right one and work to heal work to repair, and that is an extremely salient message right now," says Ramirez. 

The production also features musical direction by Western Massachusetts-based musician David Cavallin. 

"Sondheim’s sound world is intrinsically tied to both the storyline and each character’s individual journey. Every detail, from the choice of orchestration, the recurring themes, the way he shapes melodies and the subtle variations each time a theme is repeated are important clues for the actor,” says Cavallin. “The orchestration helps establish settings and moods, effectively giving an aural portrayal of the inner monologues, intentions and desires of each character and functioning as the ultimate scene partner, tying every individual thread together to form a unified whole.” 

“Into the Woods” performances take place April 28, 29, May 4, 5, 6 at 7:30 p.m. and May 6 at 2 p.m. in the Rand Theater. Tickets are $20 for general admissions and $10 for students and senior citizens and can be purchased through the Fine Arts Center Box Office.   

Article posted in Arts for Public

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