Into the Woods is Mainstage Production
Published Monday, April 17, 2017
SMSU Theatre is partnering with Marshall High School Tiger Theatre to present the fairy tale musical, Into the Woods. Performances are April 20-22 at 7:30 p.m. at the Schwan’s Community Center for the Performing Arts, and April 28 at 7:30 p.m., April 29 at 2 p.m., and April 30 at 4 p.m. in the SMSU Fine Arts Theatre. Dinner theatre is available Friday, April 28. Show tickets are $10 and are available at www.SMSUtickets.com and at the door. The performances on April 28-30 are free to SMSU students with a valid student ID.
Stephen Sondheim’s beloved musical brings to life famous characters, including Jack (of Beanstalk and Giant fame) and Little Red Riding Hood, while also conveying the very human, Sondheim-created story of the Baker and his wife who desperately want to have a child. While the first act chronicles what the characters do to achieve their goals, the second act examines what the fairy tales leave out — the questions, consequences, and realizations that come after “happily ever after.”
Into the Woods is directed by Dan Smith of Marshall, Minn., an English and Theatre teacher and director at Marshall High School. Cheryl Jeska, a Vocal Music teacher at Marshall High School, is the music and vocal director. Denise Smith, a Language Arts teacher at Marshall Middle School, is the choreographer and also plays the Witch. Assistant Professor of Theatre and SMSU Theatre Arts alumnus Mike Lenz of Cottonwood, Minn., is the scenic and lighting designer and technical director, and also plays the Narrator. Professor of Theatre Sheila Tabaka of Marshall, Minn., is the costume designer. Sariah Cheadle, a sophomore English major with minors in Theatre and Coaching, from Fulda, Minn., is the stage manager. Professor of Theatre Nadine Purvis Schmidt of Estelline, S.D., is the producer. The cast and major crew include:
- Emilie Baartman, an SMSU senior Theatre Arts and Broadcast & Digital Media double major from Brandon, S.D., as Jack’s Mother.
- Morgan Benson, an SMSU junior Theatre Arts major from Tracy, Minn., as the Baker’s Wife. Benson is also the publicity manager.
- Meredith Bock, an MHS sophomore, as Little Red Riding Hood.
- Taylor Engel, an SMSU senior Theatre Arts and Music-Vocal Performance double major from St. James, Minn., as Cinderella’s Father.
- Kayli Ginocchio, an MHS senior, as Cinderella’s Mother.
- Jacob Greathouse, an MHS senior, as Cinderella’s Prince and the Wolf.
- Jen Keohen, an SMSU senior Marketing major and Spanish minor from Shakopee, Minn., as Granny, the Giant, and the Second Cow.
- Thomas Knudson, an SMSU senior Theatre Arts major from Walnut Grove, Minn., as Rapunzel’s Prince.
- Allie Lamote, an MHS junior, as Rapunzel.
- Danny McDonnell, an SMSU sophomore Elementary Education and Theatre double major, Spanish minor from Jordan, Minn., as the Mysterious Man.
- Rachel Meyer, an MHS senior, as Florinda, Cinderella’s stepsister.
- Illana Peter, an SMSU Choral and Instrumental Music Education major from Tyler, Minn., as Cinderella.
- Kurtis Parlin, a community member from Cottonwood, Minn., as Jack.
- Paul Ragan, an SMSU sophomore History Secondary Education major, Theatre Arts minor from Fosston, Minn., as the Baker.
- Matthew Rich, an MHS senior, as the Steward.
- Payton Shively, an SMSU senior Theatre Arts major from Council Bluffs, Iowa, as Cinderella’s Stepmother.
- Danny Smith, an MHS freshman, as Milky-White, Jack’s cow.
- Sydney Stewart, an SMSU senior Marketing major from Rockford, Ill., as Lucinda, Cinderella’s stepsister.
- A series of surprise special guest stars in the cameo roles of Snow White and Sleeping Beauty.
- Sally Tabaka, an MHS sophomore, is the assistant stage manager.
- Joel Gay, a senior Theatre Arts major, Creative Writing minor from Lake City, Minn., is the makeup designer and master electrician.
- Jett Skrien, an MHS junior, is the special effects coordinator.
- Malorie Hudson, a sophomore Early Childhood Education major and Theatre Arts minor from Rochester, Minn., is the house manager.
The dinner theatre available on April 28 is an add-on option for $22 (for a total price of $32 for dinner and the show), and must be booked by April 24. The dinner features a Spring-themed menu created and prepared by the SMSU Student Hospitality Opportunities (SHO) Club: spring salad with citrus vinaigrette dressing, spaghetti squash with vegetarian marinara sauce and turkey meatballs, green beans, homemade rolls, and Red Velvet mousse for dessert. The vegetarian meal option omits the meatballs. Dinner seating will be 5:45-6:15 p.m. in Individualized Learning 116, the Culinology Restaurant.
Into the Woods is produced by special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). For more information, please call the Theatre Office at (507) 537-7103.
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