Hale Centre Theatre: HCT’s “Into The Woods” to Feature New Stage Elements and Specials Effect to Illustrate Story’s Poignant Life Messages

HCT’s “Into The Woods” to Feature New Stage Elements and Specials Effect to Illustrate Story’s Poignant Life Messages

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (Sept. 16, 2008) — Hale Centre Theatre (HCT), Utah’s premier family theatre, will present the Broadway musical, “Into the Woods,” Oct. 1 through Nov. 29, 2008. The HCT production of Stephen Sondheim’s modern classic weaves together fairytale characters and stories with special effects and new stage elements to illustrate the show’s profound messages of parenting and how one person’s actions can affect another person.

The HCT production features a new moving set piece that surrounds the theatre’s signature center stage. Through a series of ramps and lifts, the characters “travel” on the moving set to different areas of the forest. The staging includes Rapunzel’s 30-foot tower, the tallest set piece ever used in an HCT production, which rises out of the floor and grows before the audience’s eyes. Special effects also include pyrotechnics such as the Witch’s staff; and Cinderella’s mother who dresses as a tree and flies down from the theatre’s ceiling to have her branches cover the stage.

“Parents will see themselves in the characters and feel the power of the influence they have on their children,” said Jennifer Hohl, “Into the Woods” director. “What we say and do affect our children even when we think they’re not listening. The story is complicated, much like life, and teaches the idea that we are in control of our own lives, but may not be alone in the consequences of our choices.”

“Into the Woods” is set in two distinct acts that weave fairytales like Cinderella, Jack and the Bean Stalk, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel into one story where the characters interact and impact each others’ fates. The first act is a lighthearted approach to the pursuit of the “happy ending.” The second act takes an unexpected and darker turn as the characters learn what happens after they get what they want and the consequences of their actions on themselves and others.

The original Broadway production starring Bernadette Peters ran for 764 performances from 1987 to 1989, followed by a London production in 1990 and revivals on both Broadway (2002) and in London (2007). “Into the Woods” features music and lyrics by Sondheim (“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “Company,” “A Little Night Music,” “Follies”), is written by James Lapine (“Assassins,” “Sunday in the Park with George”) and is based on Bruno Bettelheim’s book, “The Uses of Enchantment.” The original and revival versions of the musical were nominated for 20 Tony Awards and garnered five including Best Book of a Musical and Best Revival of a Musical. The productions also earned seven Drama Desk Awards, three Laurence Olivier Awards and a Grammy for Best Musical Cast Show Album.

HCT’s “Into to the Woods” is directed by Hohl, who along with Erin Carlson, plays the Witch; Bruce Bredeson and Jon McBride star as the Baker; Shanna Jones and Jennie Richardson as the Baker’s Wife; Cecily Ellis-Bills and Debra Stewart as Cinderella; Cy Wood and Paul Cartwright as Jack; and Kelly Coombs and Ali Bennett as Little Red. The music director is Kelly DeHaan; choreographer is Marilyn Montgomery; head costume designer is Suzanne Carling; technical director, prop master and set designer is Kacey Udy; lighting designer is Spencer Brown; and the sound designer is Mike Williams.

Performances are Monday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with matinees each Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. and occasional weekdays at 4 p.m. Ticket prices are Monday through Thursday evenings and matinees, adult $21, child (5-11 years) $15; Friday and Saturday evening shows, adult $25, child (5-11 years) $16. Tickets may be purchased online at www.halecentretheatre.org, via telephone at (801) 984-9000 or at the Hale Centre Theatre box office, 3333 South Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City, Utah.

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"Into the Woods" to Feature New Stage