Auditions for the upcoming PHUHS theater production, “Into the Woods,” are rapidly approaching, and the expectations for the success of the musical are high. Many students from the Drama Club are already familiar with the show, and are thrilled at the prospect of being able to watch it come to life in a brand new way.
“I’m actually super excited to see this musical,” sophomore Nahomi Acosta said. “I’m especially excited to see how they do the wolf, and the steampunk.”
The musical is about a baker and his wife, both pining for a child, but have had a curse placed upon their house preventing them. They venture into the woods to lift the curse, and their stories become intertwined with those of Jack, Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Cinderella.
“To be honest, the plot is really, honestly one of the most intertwined and reasonably complex plots—but it’s still relatively easy to follow,” drama teacher Mr. Howard said.
Natalie Acosta, a recently graduated senior, will be returning to the school in her spare time to help in the production of the show. In her senior year at PHUHS, she designed the set for A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the school, and looks forward to returning once more even though she is balancing college classes with this project.
“I feel very at home because last year I spent so much time in the theater, even with college classes now, I know at least not everything will be new,” Acosta said.
Mr. Howard plans to put a unique spin on the musical this year, but still intends to hold true to the original theme.
“We’re going to try and retain the fairy tale aspects of the story,” Mr. Howard said, “But because of the style of storytelling, we are going to try and tell it using elements of steampunk within the costuming and constructivism within the elements of the scenic design.”
“Into the Woods is mainly centered around fairy tales, so it has a fairy tale theme, kind of like what you would expect. It’s very whimsical…we don’t want to do the same thing that everyone’s done before. It’s going to be the same thing, still whimsical and fun, with steampunk stylings. As for now, the ideas are still changing, but it’s still going to be the same fun show that everyone loves,” Acosta said.
The cast is going to consist of about 22 to 24 actors. With auditions next week, those who are planning on auditioning should be wrapping up their presentations and getting ready to show Mr. Howard and Mr. Havard what they can do.
Junior Miguel Corteo intends to audition as Prince Charming.
“I see him as a character I can connect with. The vocal part is going to be a challenge, but I think it’s within my range, so I’m going to give it a shot. I’m not really nervous about it. Mr. Havard and Mr. Howard know my abilities, so they’ll just see how I’ve improved,” Corteo said.
The play is going to be put on for three nights, and the show contains a mix of several themes that should attract nearly any kind of person from the very beginning until the curtain falls. Mr. Howard plans on the production being such a success that he intends to take it to compete at states.
“I think we have the talent at the school to do a really good production that is worthy of going to states,” Mr. Howard said. “I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t think we had a good shot at it.”