For years now, PVHS’ award winning drama department, headed by Nicole Thompson, has shown consistent quality over and over again. This year they are debuting the musical “Into the Woods” which puts a new twist on old fairy tales.
This story is a dark comedy infused with childhood characters.
“What this musical asks is what happens after ‘happily ever after,’” co-director Andrew Miller said.
Traveling into a mythical fairy tale kingdom, the audience is met with a baker and his wife wishing for a child, a hungry little girl who wears a red cape, a young maiden with a wish to go to a festival, a young lad wishing to keep his best friend, and many more nostalgic characters.
Most people grow up with these fairy tales.
“It gives everyone a common ground, like oh I know this,” stage manager Zara Shippee said.
The opening night of the show is on Friday Nov.7. The following shows are on Nov. 8-9 and Nov. 13-16.
Audience members might be familiar with other performances of this show but Thompson believes this particular version of the show is unique.
“What is different about our take on it is that we are not putting it in the actual woods, we are really focusing on the story telling aspect and the characters,“ said Thompson.
Cast member sophomore Brayan Baker also believes in the unique quality of the show.
His knowledge of the script gives him an appreciation of the storyline and how it creates an experience for the audience that pulls them through a whole range of emotions.
“It’s very heartfelt. I think that one thing that is very special about this show is it’s not just a comedy or it’s not just a drama. The show does a good job balancing the really comedic elements and the really touchy, emotional elements,” Baker said.
This musical is not just about a baker and his wife or Little Red Riding Hood or Jack and the Beanstalk.
“It’s cool to see how they thread the stories together and make them into one huge story.” junior Caroline Conrrad, playing Little Red Riding Hood, said.
Tickets can be purchased online at pvhsdrama.com or at the door for $25, but be careful because tickets may go faster than the wolf can gobble up granny, leaving the chance for audience members at the door to be left out in the woods.