For their third annual fund-raiser, Riverland’s theater alumni want to take Austin on a wild, funny and poignant ride through a fairy tale to beat all fairy tales.

Tuesday, August 22, 2000

For their third annual fund-raiser, Riverland’s theater alumni want to take Austin on a wild, funny and poignant ride through a fairy tale to beat all fairy tales. Cinderella, Rapunzel, Prince Charming, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack, Sleeping Beauty, the giant and a wicked witch – they’re all there in this funky fractured fairy tale written by Stephen Sondheim.

The only two entirely new characters in the show are the Baker and his wife. They are the tools Sondheim and James Lapine use to connect all the other fairy tales, which – for the most part – remain true to the traditional stories.

"This is more true to the actual fairy tales, not the watered-down versions made popular by Disney," director Jerry Girton said. "All the classic lines are there though."

It’s a fairy tale that’s not exactly a child’s tale.

Cinderella sings a song about people leaving you halfway through the woods.

Several people get squished by the giant.

When Cinderella’s prince has a tryst with the baker’s wife, his excuse is that he was "raised to be charming, not sincere."

"In a way, it’s an allegory about life," Girton said. "You go into the woods (life) wishing for all these great things to happen. Sometimes it does, but sometimes you have to buck up when times are tough.

"This is not a little kids’ show; every one doesn’t live happily ever after."

That said, "Into the Woods" is primarily a musical comedy with some drama. It’s a wacky musical, according to cast member Suzie Schmidt, alias Little Red Riding Hood.

"Sondheim has a different kind of creativity," Schmidt said. "It’s not like any other musical I’ve ever been in."

"People who appreciate good music and difficult music will enjoy this one and appreciate the talent involved," Girton said. "There are times when all the stories are on stage and singing."

The cast list features Riverland alumni from 1970 to 1999.

"There are a lot of cast members that I worked with when I was at Riverland, but there are others that came through before and after me," 1997 graduate Schmidt said. "It’s neat to see the different generations that have gone through."

The cast has done more than just rehearse, however. For "Into the Woods," cast members made the costumes, put the set together, everything needed to put the show in front of an audience. And, while cast members are enjoying the chance to shine at Riverland once again, Girton said the goal of the show is to raise money for future theater scholarships.

"All the profits will go to the Riverland Community Theatre Scholarship Fund," Girton said. "I know it’s a busy time of year, but I hope people will come out. If they come, I’m sure they’ll enjoy."