Fairytale spoof shows at Corban College |
What happens after “happily ever after?” Stephen Sondheim’s and James Lapine’s musical “Into the Woods” shows what happens after the curtain falls on classic American fairy tales. When Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and other storybook characters cross paths in the woods, they run into hilarious dilemmas, problems and a strong dose of reality. “It’s a romp,” says Tamara McGinnis, drama director at Corban College. “It’s not meant to be taken too seriously, except that sometimes we have unrealistic expectations, and those expectations can lead to disappointment.” “Into the Woods” played March 15-18 at Corban’s Psalm Performing Arts Center. Director Beth Suryan and assistant director Andrea Westfall led a cast of 15 students, faculty and community members in presenting the fairytale spoof. The cast’s songs and dances were accompanied by live music played by college orchestra members. In its original showing on Broadway, “Into the Woods” won a 1987 Tony for Best Score. Its creators also authored the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical “Sunday in the Park with George.” “All of us live out a certain kind of fairytale, but when reality does hit us, we can’t pretend that everything is going to be perfect,” says Westfall. “Another of the musical’s major themes is that ‘happily ever after’ is found in community, in trusting each other.” |
