Photo by Lucy Good

This weekend the musical, Into the Woods, is performing! Tickets are sold out, and everyone is getting excited to see the show. Into the Woods is a show about all of the different fairy tales we have all grown up loving. It follows a baker and his wife who went on a journey to relieve a curse that stops them from having children. Throughout their journey they encounter Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, and Rapunzel.

I was lucky enough to be able to talk to some of the cast about what they’re excited for the audience to see as well as their favorite memory of the show. 

Almost all the cast members mentioned how excited they were for people to see the princes. They have two songs: “Agony” and “Agony Reprise”. Cast members laughed and smiled when mentioning these moments.

Lilli Hoel, the Witch, said that she is excited for everyone to see the effects in the show. The set is incredible, the costumes, and the real-life magic all of the viewers are going to be able to experience when watching this show.  Ellie Urshel, Jack’s mother, also mentioned that she is excited for everyone to see the elements that have been added into the show – like the character the Giant. Kalee Buswell, Florinda, talked about how she’s excited for everyone to see the songs “Ever After” and “On the Steps of the Palace”.  Jonathan Hester, Cinderella’s Prince, said that he’s excited for everyone to see “I Guess this is Goodbye” because of the emotion in the song. Both Michael Curran and Neel Abbott talked about the amazing talent and hard work exhibited in the show. Suzy Becksfort, Cinderella’s mother, said that she’s excited for everyone to see Neel as the wolf.

They also had something to share about their favorite memories from the musical.

Madi Lawson, Lucinda, and Suzy Becksfort both had the cast bonding experiences as their favorite memories. Charlie Perkins, the baker, discussed the experiences the cast has had together. Lilli Hoel said that her favorite memories from the show are slicking back Jonathan’s hair and doing Neel’s eyeliner for the first time. Ellie Urshel is looking forward to the senior speeches on Sunday. Kalee said that her favorite memory is going to Bruegger’s and Starbucks before the all-day Saturday rehearsal. Similarly, people mentioned sitting in a circle and eating Chipotle before choreo rehearsals. Jonathan said that his favorite memory is choreographing “Agony” and “Agony Reprise” with Sam Parker, Rapunzel’s Prince, and being able to add their own touches to it, making it their own. Finally, Neel said that he’s just loved being able to get to know people and make friends throughout the experience.

It was so fun being able to sit down and talk to them all. Break a leg to this incredible cast and crew this weekend!

Enjoy the show!