Stephen Sondheim’s classic musical “Into the Woods” takes characters from familiar fairy tales — like Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Jack and the Beanstalk — and drops them into an original story that causes them all to examine their preconceived notions about what’s important in life.
After the last two years of pandemic restrictions and lifestyle changes, it’s a theme that should resonate with a lot of people.
For the theater department at the College of Lake County, the show is a perfect way to get back on the stage. Originally scheduled for the summer of 2020, “Into the Woods” will finally get its production at the Grayslake Campus Studio Theatre July 15-24 after two years without a summer musical.
Showtimes are at 7:30 p.m. July 15, 16, 21, 22, 23; and 2 p.m. July 17 and 24.
“Obviously it wasn’t just us postponing productions,” said Craig Rich, chair of the theater department at the College of Lake County. “But it’s so great to be able to get together again and produce a show like this for the community.”
The musical, with lyrics and music by Sondheim and a book by James Lapine, first hit Broadway in 1987 to critical success and a two-year run. It has garnered even more widespread attention over the last two decades thanks to a 2014 movie adaptation, and a new revival is about to open on Broadway this summer.
“I love Stephen Sondheim — I mean, that’s not surprising in the world of theater — and this is the third musical of his I’ve directed,” Rich said. “Other than the incredible music, the lyrics are always so smart. The characters are always so rich and fully developed.”
This show, like many of Sondheim’s, is dense with lyrics, often with quick-pacing and challenging vocal arrangements.
“It’s easy to forget how hard these pieces are to sing,” Rich said. “But all the hard work pays off. Working on a Sondheim musical is like a master class in musical theater. It’s really challenging, but you learn so much in that process.”
He isn’t surprised that the show has gained popularity over the more than three decades since it debuted.
“I think it’s because it’s a wonderful story,” he said. “There are amazing characters, and it has something to say. I’m not against musicals that are only entertaining, but I also like musicals that have something to say.”
The show starts with a baker and his wife, who must go on a journey into the woods to lift a witch’s curse. It’s there that they meet Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Jack, Rapunzel, Snow White and other fairy tale characters.
“The show includes some familiar aspects, but then it also shows you something new,” Rich said. “These characters are going on a very interesting journey. For some of them, it ends happily. For others, it doesn’t. One of the things that drew me into this is that it’s not just happily ever after — it’s, well, what happens after happily ever after.”
The cast of about 25 includes both students at the college and actors in the community.
“For the summer show, we have a nice mix of students, alums and local actors,” Rich said. “We have the opportunity to open it up more to the community, and it’s a great group of people.”
When: July 15-24
Where: Grayslake Campus Studio Theatre at the College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake
Tickets: $15 for adults; $10 for children
Information: 847-543-2300; clcillinois.edu
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Jeff Banowetz is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.