Over 50 Dover-Sherborn High School (DSHS) cast, crew, and set designers are deep into preparation for “Into the Woods,” the Stephen Sondheim musical that weaves together the classic fairy tales of Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and characters following their wishes and resulting consequences as they venture into the woods. The students, under the direction of Scott Walker and Geoff Herrmann, rehearse three days each week, tackling the intricate, lyrical score and the conversational - yet complex dialogue of a Sondheim musical. “‘Into the Woods; has been a favorite of mine for many years,” Drama Director Scott Walker shares. “This is the fourth time that I have worked with the show. Sondheim's work is extremely complicated and intricate, but it is also brilliant. An audience, cast, and crew can enjoy the story on the surface level, but they can also think more deeply about the words, music, lessons, and choices being made. It is genius what Sondheim does in this show.”
While Act 1 explores the joy of the characters getting what they desire, Act 2 reveals the darker consequences of their choices, emphasizing themes of responsibility, loss, and the complexity of "happily ever after." The music and lyrics are notoriously demanding, and the storyline requires comedic and emotional storytelling.
Dover-Sherborn junior Renée Poblenz, who plays the part of the Witch, the show’s major antagonist searching for her lost youth and beauty, explains, “My favorite thing about Sondheim is that he takes classic storybook characters and shows them in a different light. Mr. Walker has really helped us explore the depths and flaws of our characters, and these imperfections in the main characters are part of what makes Into the Woods such a unique show. I’ve loved this musical since I was little, and I’m excited to get to perform it with such a talented cast.”
Dash Savla, a Dover-Sherborn freshman, plays the Baker, who is on a quest to lift the curse the Witch has put on his family, while also struggling with responsibility and fatherhood. “The most difficult part of this show is balancing the fantastical and the real parts of the show. The show is set in a fairy-tale land that in many ways is very different from our own, but the characters and their struggles are very real. Finding the balance between the caricature of my character and the real person underneath that has been very interesting and challenging.”
“Into the Woods” is the 50th production that Scott Walker has directed for Dover-Sherborn High School. In addition to Geoff Herrmann as Musical Director, Ardys Flavelle serves as Orchestra Director. Jenifer Sunday joined as Technical Director two years ago. The dedicated cast has practiced three afternoons a week since the beginning of January, and work on the set takes place on two additional days.
“Into the Woods” will be performed at Mudge Auditorium at Dover-Sherborn Regional High School. Show dates are Thursday, March 13th at 6:30 pm, Friday, March 14th at 7:00 pm, a Saturday matinee on March 15th at 1:00 pm, and an evening performance at 7:00 pm. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at dsdrama.ludus.com or at the door.
