Interlochen Arts Academy theatre students travel back in time with 80s-inspired production of ‘Into the Woods’
Set in New York City’s Central Park, the production transports James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning musical back to its Nov. 5, 1987 Broadway premiere.
This November, Interlochen Arts Academy’s Theatre Division is bringing Into the Woods back to its roots: New York City, 1987.
Featuring a book by James Lapine and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, the Tony Award-winning musical unites several classic Brothers Grimm characters—including Cinderella, Jack from “Jack and the Beanstalk,” Rapunzel, and Little Red Riding Hood—in an whimsical yet poignant story that explores themes such as growing up, loss, and accepting responsibility. Director of Musical Theatre Justin Lee Miller will direct Interlochen’s production; Interlochen Arts Academy junior Emmy Starke, a musical theatre major, choreographed the show.
Into the Woods made its Broadway premiere on Nov. 5, 1987. Miller has set Interlochen’s production in both the time and place of the musical’s opening night.
“Our production will be set in New York City in 1987 and will reflect a comical mixture of beloved fairy tales and modernity–just like the original,” Miller said. “Central Park will serve as the ‘woods’ in our Into the Woods. The characters will represent the colorful variety of people who inhabit New York City. The end product should be punchy, original, and unique to our community of actors.”
Into the Woods will run for three performances at Interlochen’s Corson Auditorium: Friday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $38 for adults and $19 for children through college students and can be purchased at interlochen.org/tickets.