St. Kate’s production of “Into the Woods” opens March 11

St. Catherine University’s Department of Music and Theater in collaboration with the University of St. Thomas presents “Into the Woods,” with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and written by James Lapine.

“Into the Woods” takes some of the most classic fairytale characters including Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk. As these characters join to embark through their storybook journeys’, the classic “happily ever after” ending will be hard fought, with valuable lessons to learn along the way.

A favorite story, “Into the Woods” was recently made into a Hollywood film starring Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick and Emily Blunt.

The musical’s tone was initially a bit of a culture shock for Claire Thompson ’17, who plays Granny and a Villager.

“While last spring’s performance of ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ was an upbeat show full of screaming and jumping around, ‘Into the Woods’ almost goes in the opposite direction. There are lively parts of this show as well, but there are also strikingly somber parts,” she says. “When we started rehearsals, these somber scenes were hard for me to embrace. Luckily, I have great directors and fellow cast members who have helped me along.”

St. Catherine cast members include Mira Bronstein ’19, Madelyn Douglas ’19, Claire Frederick ’17, Taylor Hafner ’19, Brigit Larken ’19, Madeleine McSweeney ’17, Adelaide Mueller ’17, Michelle Mullowney ’17, Elora Riley ’16, Sarah Schultz ’17, Claire Thompson ’17 and Brianna Vigliotti ’16. Also featured is Alumni Greta Pahr ’12. The production is directed by Pam Stiehl, assistant professor of theater.

St. Thomas cast members include Michael Antolak, Seamus Burke, Stanley Buss, Zack Eliason, Mike Leach, Nick McDonaugh, Eleanor Muske, Becca Polk, Sam Smith, Ben Rubenstein, Caitlin Woodward and Courtlandt Lyons.

by Sophia Niemeyer ’16