Rice University’s Lovett Theater is back after a 15-year hiatus with “Into the Woods,” a spellbinding production that brings together iconic fairy-tale characters in a story about wish fulfillment, its consequences and the complexities of life.
Winner of five Tony Awards, the modern classic by Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine (book) brings together everyone’s favorite storybook characters for a whimsical, dark and witty tale that asks: “What happens after ‘happily ever after?’”
Fractured fairy tales of a darker hue provide the context for “Into the Woods,” which deconstructs the Brothers Grimm by way of “The Twilight Zone.” While the faces and names are familiar, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack from “Jack and the Beanstalk” and company inhabit a sylvan neighborhood in which witches and bakers are next-door neighbors, handsome princes from once-parallel fables are competitive and equally vain brothers and all the stories intersect through unexpected new plot twists. Sondheim and Lapine’s beloved musical intertwines classic fairy tales with a contemporary edge to tell stories of wishes granted and the price paid.
“It’s really extraordinary that the Lovett team has gone from not having any theater at all to a full-scale musical with more than 60 students working on it in less than a year,” said director Elise Gibney. “It’s a real testament to everyone’s ambition and commitment to tell this magical story that will enchant audiences with this fun romp through the fables of our youth and with an important message in the end.”
Performances will take place Nov. 7-9 at 8 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee Nov. 9. Tickets will be free for Rice students and $4 for general admission. Performances are at Lovett Upper Commons, 6310 Main St. Lovett Theater continues the residential college theatre tradition at Rice by producing high-quality shows and hosting engaging events.
The cast includes Jeffrey Youngson (narrator), Birdie McCain (Cinderella), Nat Pujet (Jack), Emma Vasilakopoulos (Jack’s mother), Spencer T. Rembert (baker), Celeste Uribe (baker’s wife), Joanna Coram (stepmother), Viola Hsia (Florinda), Tori Appel (Lucinda), Katie Maurano (Little Red Riding Hood), Nadia Thieriot (Cinderella’s mother), Elbread Rojy (mysterious man), Belén Szentes (witch), Julian Puerto (wolf/Rapunzel’s prince), Taylor Stowers (Rapunzel), Matthew Yim (Cinderella’s prince), Auggie Schwarz (giant), Paola Hoffman (steward), Chioma Modilim (Granny), Johnathan Goldfeder (Cinderella’s father), Dani Cedillo (Milky-White), Alice Xu (ensemble) and Alexi Pierre-Louis (ensemble).
The artistic team includes Gibney (director), Zev Malina (music director), John Israel (pit conductor), Shelby Flavin-Rosales (stage manager), Stowers (head choreographer), Atsuko Price (assistant choreographer), Saba Feleke (co-lead set designer), Henry Prendergast (co-lead set designer), Thieriot (lead props designer), Dorsa Sattari Khavas (lead lighting designer), Schwarz (lead hair and makeup designer), Vasilakopoulos (lead sound designer) and Uribe (lead costume designer).
The Lovett Theater Committee includes Schwarz (executive producer), Xu (media and marketing), Jacey Denny (media and marketing), Gina Kotinek (fundraising chair), Christopher Rodriguez (fundraising chair), Kaz Nam (outreach), Brandon Lozano (producer), Vasilakopoulos (producer), Nikita Chowdree (producer) and McCain (producer). The production is also co-produced by Wiess Tabletop Theatre run by Kelly Dahlin and Layal Haider.
For more information, visit instagram.com/lovett_theater or lovetttheaterrice.wordpress.com. This production is funded in part by the city of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance.