Brandon Twp.- Audiences are invited to go ‘Into the Woods,? as the Stephen Sondheim musical comes to the stage at the Brandon High School Performing Arts Center on Feb. 25, 26, and 27.
BHS Musical Director Debbie Sebetic describes ‘Into the Woods? as a musical that intertwines and gives a twist to three well-known fairy tales? ‘Little Red Riding Hood,? ‘Jack and the Beanstalk? and ‘Cinderella.? A fourth narrative, ‘The Baker and His Wife,? is a Sondheim addition and part of the unique twist, as the baker’s wife ends up meeting Cinderella’s prince in the woods and the pair share time together, as well as a kiss.
‘When you go into the woods, you learn life is not a fairy tale like you thought it would be,? Sebetic said. ‘There are twists and turns. The audience will recognize the original fairy tales, but we take some unexpected turns.?
Chloe Grounds, a BHS senior who plays the witch, called ‘Into the Woods,? a fairy tale with dark, sardonic undertones that mimic our society. ‘I think the witch is the sanest part of all of them,? said Grounds. ‘She is the only one that is grounded to reality and can see what is going on.? Sebetic chose ‘Into the Woods? for this year’s production because of the number of strong male vocal leads it features. She noted that this year’s senior class had an abundance of male talent that she wanted to display. Among the 60 castmembers are Bill Tahaney, a BHS senior who plays the part of the ‘mysterious man? in his seventh musical. ‘It’s not the biggest part I’ve had, but the most entertaining,? he said. ‘I like this role because I randomly pop into scenes. I yell at most of the characters, except the witch, who yells at me. I never speak straight, always through metaphors.?
This is Josh Cornea’s fourth musical. The senior plays the part of Prince Charming and while this is not the biggest role he has had, it is his favorite, too. Cornea plans to pursue acting at Western Michigan University. ‘I’ve had a wonderful experience in musicals,? he said. ‘It takes a lot of hard work and has taught me to work with others and understand a different point of view.?
As director, Sebetic has worked with some of the castmembers in ‘Into the Woods? for seven years and has watched them grow vocally.
‘You realize they’re not little anymore,? she said. ‘You realize you’re watching the seniors for the last time.? Audiences for ‘Into the Woods? will enjoy the vocal excellence in 71 musical numbers, Sebetic said. Grounds believes they will also like the family-friendly musical because of its reflection on daily life.
‘It has a lot of themes the audience can relate to,? she said. ‘No one knows what they want, they just think they do.?
‘Into the Woods? will be performed at 5 p.m., Feb. 25, and 7 p.m., Feb. 26-27, at the BHS Performing Arts Center, 1025 S. Ortonville Road.
Tickets for the early show on Feb. 25 are $8. Tickets for performances on Feb. 26 and 27 are $10. All tickets can be purchased at the door.