Director's Notes for
Into The Woods

Once upon a time...
There is little as comforting as settling into the familiar beginning of a childhood fairy tale. Simply hearing this introduction awakens our imaginations to the adventures of elves, giants, trolls, and articulate big, bad wolves. As children, we have all been mesmerized by carefully crafted tales that draw clear distinctions between good and evil, right and wrong.

In our enchanted story, a baker and his wife travel through the woods searching for a way to lift a witch's curse. It is along the way their paths intertwine with a host of other fairy tale characters on their own quests. In Act I, each pursues their individual wishes, but in order to achieve the fairy tale ending, they find they must make compromised choices with wide-ranging affects on one another. Act II reveals the consequences and what truly happens after 'happily ever after'.

Welcome aboard a journey whose music and wonder reminds us that children absorb much from what they observe, and that maturity can only be attained through taking responsibility. Into the Woods asks the audience to consider the consequences beyond the 'happily ever after' we have come to associate with the conclusion of all fairy tales.

We are so pleased that you have joined us to celebrate the masterful work of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. It is becuase of your patronage and the support of the Pomona community-at-large that the Catwalk Theatre Company is able to offer its students such diverse performance material. Debbie, Beau and I thank you for lending us your children these past months. We appreciate their dedication and professional approach to a rigorous rehearsal schedule. We are honored to work in a school and district that supports performing arts, and are eager to share the results or our efforts with you.

-Gavin