Expect plenty of surprises, twists and turns, as Countryside Community Theatre presents the fractured fairy tale “Into the Woods” this weekend and next in the North Scott Fine Arts Auditorium.
Written by James Lapine, with music by Stephen Sondheim, “Into the Woods” weaves several fables by the Brothers Grimm, including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Jack and the Beanstalk, into a magical tale.
Bonita Howes, who plays Cinderella’s Stepmother, said she first fell in love with the show 30 years ago, when she saw a community theatre production before moving to the North Scott area.
“I’d only heard parts of it, and when I saw it, I’m kicking myself thinking, ‘Why didn’t I audition?’ I went nuts over this story and what all happened, and these fabulous storybooks coming together. Some of my favorite childhood stories. It’s so fabulous.”
Co-star Joie Stoefen, a North Scott grad who plays wicked stepsister Florinda, agreed the show has been a dream come true.
“This has been a dream show for probably almost 10 years and I’ve just never had the opportunity to do it. I did a lot of theatre in high school, but in college, I kind of stopped, just because of the hectic schedule and the fact that Covid hit. And after three years, I’ve just been aching for an opportunity to get back into it. Since it was a dream show, it was easily, ‘OK, I’m going to audition.’ No doubt about it, I was all in.”
Janeen Mack, who plays several roles, including Little Red Riding Hood’s Granny and The Giant, said she relishes this first-time experience for Countryside.
“I think it’s something new for CCT,” said Mack, who is also a board member. “It’s a beast of a show. I feel like CCT has taken on some big shows in the past, but this one is pretty exciting.”
She added that excitement about the show has been high since auditions in January.
“At auditions, it was just fun to see the amount of talent walking through the door and knowing that we have a director who is professional in his day job. So that was kind of exciting and fun.”
The director is longtime Quad-Cities area theatre professional Tom Walljasper, who has been a part of dozens of area productions, including at Circa ’21 and the Harrison Hilltop Theatre. He’s joined by musical director Ryan Riewerts, a CCT alum himself, who works as the choir director at Davenport North High School.
Sondheim’s music is notoriously difficult, but Mack said having a professional directing team has helped with the inherent challenges. Rehearsals began in earnest in early June.
“I think it helps that Tom set this expectation early that we were to walk into the first rehearsal 90 percent memorized, so that we could be off book as quickly as possible. I think that that helped a lot,” said Mack. “Tom has packed this thing full of his incredible creativity. I just sit in awe sometimes because he thought of that. Just those minute details.”
Mya Kelsey, who will be a sophomore at North Scott this year and plays Snow White, agreed with Mack’s assessment.
“He’s really done a lot of research into the show and has made everything make sense and it just has a great flow to it.”
The actors said audiences should expect a lot of surprises, as Walljasper has put his own twist on the familiar stories.
“Really just take it in and pay attention to the smallest details. Everything is done with such intentionality that if you miss it, you’re going to be missing out on a lot,” said Stoefen. “Tom has made it from the get-go an experience, and if you’re not full immersed in it, you’re going to miss it.”
“When you watch it for the first time, you’re going to want to come back a second time, because you’re going to be like, ‘Did I miss that?’” added Howes. “You actually get a better story out of this than the stories you read as a kid. It’s such twist to it. It’s a very exciting roller coaster ride.”
Kelsey said, “Be prepared to have one of the better theatre experiences and just a lot of surprises. And make sure to be early.”
The cast of “Into the Woods,” includes: AJ Weber (The Baker); Megan Warren (The Baker’s Wife); Krianna Walljasper (Little Red Riding Hood); Jenny Winn (The Witch); Emily Winn (Cinderella); David Wilkinson (Cinderella’s Prince); Casey Scott (Jack); Katherine Zerull (Jack’s Mother); Sofia Magalhaes (Rapunzel); Croix Baker (Rapunzel’s Prince); Joie Stoefen (Florinda); Amira Siddique (Lucinda); Bonita Howes (Cinderella’s Stepmother); Aaron Baker (The Steward); Topher Elliott (The Wolf); David Bonde (Mysterious Man); Lisa Oliger (Sleeping Beauty); Mya Kelsey (Snow White); Janeen Mack (Granny/Cinderella’s Mother/The Giant); James O’Connor (Cinderella’s Father); Christopher Tracy (The Narrator); Sophia Marmion (Featured Actor); Oliva Earnest (Featured Actor); Lucy Petersen (Featured Actor); Ally Sosnowski (Featured Actor).
“Into the Woods” is directed by Tom Walljasper, assisted by Tabitha Jones and Vivian Bonde. The show is produced by Lucy Dlamini, assisted by Amy Brown Gaghagen.
Musical director is Ryan Riewerts. The orchestra is directed by Nathan Windt.
Vivian Bonde is stage manager. Bradley Robert Jensen is costume designer. The technical director is Rich Baker. Projection and sound design is by Bret Churchill. Gale Hauskins is lighting designer. Miranda Richards is props chair. The set design and carpentry is by Ashton Charfuros.
The show will be presented Friday, July 28, Saturday, July 29, Friday, Aug. 4, and Saturday, Aug. 5, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, July 30, and Sunday, Aug. 6 at 2 p.m. in the North Scott Fine Arts Auditorium. Tickets are $16 and may be purchased at the door or at ccteldridge.booktix.net.
“Into the Woods” is rated PG, though some parental discretion is advised due to mild violence and implied adult situations.