OREM — In the upcoming production of the musical "Into the Woods" at Hale Center Theater Orem, there are no lead players — only team players.
"I think the most exciting thing that we're doing with this show is the casting itself," director Chris Clark said in an interview. "We've decided to use only 10 main actors, which means that many of them play two or even three characters. It also means that they have incredibly fast costume changes, which sometimes happen onstage.”
Because of this casting situation, there aren't really any leads in the show, Clark added.
"All of the actors pull together to make it work,” he said. “Half the fun of watching the show is watching how quickly they move in and out of different roles; they almost never stop moving. ... It also helps to create a cohesive story with a small group of actors. They all kind of pitch in as a team to tell the story.”
With this different approach, Clark said he and the cast have worked together to reimagine the show without losing any of its fairy tale magic.
"Into the Woods" is based on the original Broadway musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. It was also made into a film that opened in theaters last Christmas.
HCTO's production is set to open July 2 and offer a journey full of humor and fast-paced action through a plot that is both familiar and new.
In the first half, several classic storybook characters seek the fulfillment of their hearts' desires.
The Baker and his wife want children, but the Witch has placed a curse on their family. The Witch wants to keep her daughter, Rapunzel, safe from the world, but she also wants to be beautiful.
Rapunzel wants to experience life outside of her tower. Cinderella wants to go to a royal ball. Two princes are looking for love.
Little Red Riding Hood wants to visit her grandmother. The Wolf wants a tasty meal. Jack finds himself having to part with his beloved pet cow.
Everyone — as the song lyrics say — wishes “a lot of things,” and by the end of the show’s first half, they seem to have gotten what they wanted.
But in the second half, reality sets in with some sobering consequences for several of the characters. A giantess stomps through the land seeking revenge, characters stray from their vows and everyone is trying to assign blame for the many disasters.
Clark said the show deals with mature themes — including infidelity and death — but he wouldn't discourage older children from seeing it.
"I anticipate that older children will be entertained, but I also think they'll learn some important lessons about how life works," he said. "(There's) nothing offensive, of course, but it talks about what life is and what we learn as we move through it.
“I think the fairy tale element of the story is really just the surface of it; it's really about people making choices and learning accountability for them.”
If you go ...
What: "Into the Woods"
Where: Hale Center Theater Orem, 225 W. 400 North, Orem
When: July 2-Aug. 14 (except Sundays and July 4), 7:30 p.m., with Saturday matinees at 3 p.m.
How much: $16-$22
Phone: 801-226-8600
Web: haletheater.org
Sharon Haddock is a professional writer with more than 35 years' experience, 17 at the Deseret News. Her personal blog is at sharonhaddock.blogspot.com.
Email: haddoc@deseretnews.com