Fairy tales often promise happy endings, but what happens after the story ends? This trimester, Wooster is bringing Stephen Sondheim's beloved musical, “Into the Woods,” to our stage!
Wooster Theater started back when Wooster was an all-boys school, and was quietly adapted to a middle and high school experience, and continues on today. Every production is a team effort, with actors, musicians, and crew members all contributing to the final show. From building sets to running lights and sound, the theatre program depends on the hard work of many students behind the scenes as well as on stage.
So, what is “Into the Woods” actually about? The musical by Stephen Sondheim brings together several classic fairy tales, including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel. The story follows these characters as their paths cross in the woods while they search for what they want most. While the first act resembles a traditional fairy tale with familiar characters and songs, the second act explores what happens after the “happily ever after.”
This year’s production of “Into the Woods” is directed by Andrea (known as Andy to the Wooster community) Barrett, who has directed many shows at Wooster, and co-directed by Ms. Mailhot.
“I actually didn’t choose it, you students did,” Andy said. “But I’m so glad you did. I’m a huge Sondheim fan, and this or “Sweeney Todd” are my favorites.”
Andy has been a part of the Wooster Community for many years. She first became involved in 1999 when her oldest son enrolled at the school, and she volunteered to make costumes for “The Importance of Being Earnest.” As her children attended and graduated from Wooster, she stayed a part of the Wooster theater program in the middle school and eventually directed plays and musicals in the upper school.
“My favorite part of directing shows is being in the room with you students,” she said. “I love watching the light bulbs turn on as you figure everything out.”
Before coming to Wooster, Andy worked as a stage actor in New York. She performed at Radio City Music Hall, appeared in “Barnum” on Broadway and on its first national tour, and was part of the Broadway show “Raggedy Ann” with her husband. Later, she created and performed a show called “Books Alive,” where she traveled to libraries and elementary schools across the Northeast, memorizing children’s books and inviting kids on stage to act them out with her.
Rehearsals are officially in the final stages! Actors have learned music, blocked, and run through the full musical many times. The crew is working on finishing up the set and preparing all the costumes and lights.
“We have been blessed with insanely talented singer-actors as well as phenomenal artists on our stage crew,” Andy said. “It’s going to look and sound amazing.”
As the production moves into the beginning stages of tech week, all parts of the show will be combined for the first time. Lighting, sound, costumes, and scene changes will be added to full run-throughs. Tech week is often the busiest part of the process, but it is also when the show truly starts to feel complete.
We are so excited for this year's musical, and it looks like the Wooster community is too! All performances are sold out!
Kayla '28
Journalism Student
