The Return of Southern Virginia University’s Musical Theater: “Into The Woods”

By Lacy Rodriguez

The Southern Virginia University Theater Department returns with their first musical since the 2019 production of Pirates of Penzance with the highly anticipated “Into the Woods,” written by James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim in 1986.

“This musical is a joint collaboration between the music and theatre departments,” says Professor Stoddard. “When deciding on what play we wanted to do this semester, we both thought of ‘Into the Woods,’ and are very excited for it.”

The last theater production, “M.I.N.D.S.W.A.P” was performed in the Kimball Student Center earlier this semester, but now that the Performing Arts Center is fully repaired, “Into the Woods” will be hosted there.

This play boasts a cast of 18 members, including Professor Robert Stoddard, the head of the Theatre Department.

The cast includes:

Baker: Ethan Goodmanson (‘22)

Bakers Wife: Kinsey Cluff (‘22)

Cinderella: Karin Allred (‘22)

Jack: Stephen Ewan (‘23)

Little Red Riding Hood: Gracyn Austin (‘22)

Narrator/Mysterious Man: Professor Robert Stoddard

Witch: Gracious Pack (‘23)

Cinderella’s Mother: Isabel Bramhall (‘23)

Cinderella’s StepMother: Autumn Hansen (‘23)

Florinda: Emma Hurst (‘25)

Lucinda: Natalie Dixon (‘24)

Cinderella’s Father: Ryan Pugh (‘25)

Jack’s Mother: Grace Mason (‘25)

Granny/the Giant: Hannah Seagraves (‘24)

Rapunzel: Rhys McRoberts (‘23)

Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf: Jared Mattson (‘23)

Rapunzel’s Prince: Jaq Léger (‘25)

Steward: Braden Spurlock (‘25)

“Into the Woods” follows the story of a baker and his wife who have been cursed with childlessness by the witch next door. To lift this curse, they embark on a quest to find the special objects required to break the spell. They end up lying, cheating, and stealing to get the golden slipper from Cinderella, the red cape from Little Red Riding Hood, a strand of Rapunzel’s yellow hair, and a white cow from Jack from the beanstalk tale. Everyone’s wishes apparently come true until a lady giant goes on a rampage to avenge her husband, who had been killed by Jack, upheaving everyone’s perfect worlds.

There will be no concessions sold on performance nights due to COVID-19 regulations, and all attendees will be required to wear a mask, regardless of their vaccination status. There will also be no tickets sold at the door, so you will need to purchase them before you come.

It’s also recommended that if you are attending with a group, or with a date, that you come early to find a spot in order to avoid the risk of having to sit apart.

“Into the Woods” will be performed this weekend Nov. 12 and 13, and then again next week on the 18–20 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here, but don’t wait! They are going fast, so make sure to grab a seat before they’re gone!