'Into the Woods' musical to open Thursday at Putnam County Playhouse

Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Banner Graphic/ERIC BERNSEE
The Baker (played by Ric McFadden) expresses his frustration to Cinderella (Meghan Armitage) as the Prince's Steward (Abe Anglin) rolls his eyes in a scene from the musical "Into the Woods," opening Thursday night at Putnam County Playhouse in Greencastle. The Stephen Sondheim musical will continue this Friday and Saturday with subsequent 8 p.m. performances Aug. 12-15 at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre on Round Barn Road.

The musical "Into the Woods," the third production of the 54th Putnam County Playhouse season, opens its seven-show run Thursday at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre on Round Barn Road in Greencastle.

The Tony-Award winning show featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine will be presented Aug. 6-8 and Aug. 12-15. All performances begin at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $10 each and can be reserved by calling the box office at 653-5880 Monday through Saturday from 5-7 p.m.

The production is sponsored by First National Bank.

Stage director and musical director is Lee Reberger. "Into the Woods" marks Reberger's first directorial assignment at PCPH, but he has been president and principal director at Community Theatre of Clay County for the last eight years.

The musical is a combination of several fairy tales and what happens after "happily ever after." It premiered on Broadway in 1987 and won three Tony awards. A film version was released in December 2014.

The cast is headed by Ric McFadden in the role of The Baker, and Kayla Myer playing his wife. The Witch is played by Shelly McFadden. Other leading roles include Jack played by Cameron Callan, Jack's Mother played by Kathi Elliott, Cinderella played by Meghan Armitage, and Andrew Ranck as the Narrator.

Other roles are Little Red Riding Hood, Samantha Flannelly; Cinderella's stepmother, Mira Hoffman; Cinderella's stepsisters, Hannah Brattain and Sarah Arnold; and her real parents, Jim Rambo and Robin Schneider.

Brad Sandy is The Wolf, Dale Grove is the Mysterious Man, and Eleanor Howard is Granny and the voice of the Giant. Michaela Semak is Snow White, and Chloe Hayes is Sleeping Beauty. Abe Anglin plays the Prince's steward.

Elijah Brattain is the prince in search of Cinderella, and Jake Glidden is the prince in search of Rapunzel, played by Sarah Bond.

Pit conductor and pianist is Marilyn Burdsall Rush,who will be joined in the pit by Lynne Tweedie-Wurster on keyboard, Drew Brattain on bass guitar and Michael McClaine playing percussion.

Linda Gjesvold is scenic designer. Shelly McFadden served as costume designer. Light design is by Bryan Schroder, and sound design is by Craig Armitage. Choreography is by Sarah Bond.

Elise Merrell is running the sound board with Alex Briones running the light board. Spotlight operators are Brandon and Cameron Wunderlich. Working on the stage crew are Rachael Lubinski and Aaron Swartz.

The Playhouse season will end with the mystery-comedy "The Game's Afoot," scheduled for Sept. 10-12 and 16-19.

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