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Way beyond happily ever after

IPFW presents Into the Woods

By Eddie Torres

Fort Wayne Reader

2014-04-22


Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s musical Into the Woods weaves several familiar stories from Grimm’s fairy tales together, unified by an original score and framed by an original story — though an original story that sounds very Grimm-like — about a baker and his wife longing for a child of their own, yet suffering under a curse placed on the family by a witch.

Sondheim and Lapine went back to the Grimm Brothers for their inspiration, and as is well known, the Grimm Brothers were aptly named. The original fairy tales that the Grimm Brothers collected well over 200 years ago are darker and far more gruesome than the versions we typically tell today. Bloody retribution, harsh treatment, and a cruel and capricious world are what you’ll find, and most happy endings come at a price.

Craig Humphrey directs IPFW’s production of Into the Woods, which begins its run on April 18 1998. He writes in his director’s notes that by allowing these stories to be dark when they need to be, the musical imposes some important questions. “It asks us to be certain of what we want, and to remember that nothing comes without sacrifice,” he writes. “It also reminds us that ‘no one is alone;’ that our actions are far reaching. Here is a musical that asks us to consider the impact our actions and words have on one another – particularly those between parents and children. We are reminded that even the most innocent and loving advice can have negative repercussions…”

Of course, Into the Woods has a lot of great music, too. It won Tonys for Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical, among many, many other awards and nominations.

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IPFW Department of Theater presents Into the Woods

Fridays, April 18 and 25 at 8 PM
Thursday, April 24 at 8 PM
Saturdays, April 19 and April 26 at 8 PM
Sunday, April 27 at 2 PM (sign language performance)

Williams Theatre
IPFW North Campus
2101 E. Coliseum Blvd

$17 adults; $15 Seniors/Faculty/Staff/Alumni; $5 for IPFW students/high school students/under 18; $13 Groups of 10 or more; $12 Other “college” students with ID
Children under 6 will not be admitted

Call the IPFW Box Office for tickets at 260-481-6555 or visit ipfw.edu/vpa/theatre

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