Published: June 26, 2008 01:55 pm            

Students to stage 'Into the Woods' at Richland Performing Arts Center

BY RUTH RICE

RRICE@TRIBDEM.COM

Familiar fairy-tale characters will meet the modern world in a local theater production.

“Into the Woods” will be presented by students of Richland Performing Arts Center’s summer academy at 7:30 tonight and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Richland Performing Arts Center, Richland Senior High School, One Academic Ave.

Scott D. Miller, executive director of the performing arts center, will direct the Broadway Junior production.

Broadway Junior abridges classic Broadway musicals into special editions for ages 11 to 18.

For his cast, Miller has 21 students ages 10 to 18 from area school districts and cyber schools as well as one actress from Philadelphia.

“She has family here, and she read about it on our Web site,” Miller said. “We auditioned for parts, but we put everyone in the show.”

The action started last week, when a meet-and-greet session was held with parents.

By last Wednesday, young thespians were studying acting in the morning and auditioning in the afternoon.

“They worked 9 to 5 every day and had about nine to 10 days of practice,” Miller said.

“Into the Woods,” written by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, presents a different take on favorite fairy-tale characters as it combines complications and difficult choices of living in modern society.

To develop their roles, young actors were asked to draw their character as they see themselves and start acting like the character.

“Red Riding Hood steals bread from the baker,” Miller said.

“You find out she is really a little brat. There are a lot of surprises.”

Helping Miller are Angela Godin, a graduate of Pitt-Johnstown with a degree in theater arts, who is serving as assistant director, and Richland’s elementary music teacher, Jena Tully, who is musical accompanist and vocal teacher.

Tickets, which are $7, may be purchased online at www.richlandpac.com or by calling 269-0300.



Production

What: “Into the Woods.”

When: 7:30 tonight and 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Richland Performing Arts Center.

Tickets: $7.

        

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