UA Theatre Boldly Goes ‘Into the Woods’ With Last Musical of the Season

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – What happens after “happily ever after”? Find out when Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s musical “Into the Woods” reaches The University of Alabama’s Marian Gallaway stage Tuesday, April 22—Sunday, April 27. The show wraps up UA’s department of theatre and dance’s 2007-2008 season.

In this fairy-tale-themed show, Cinderella, Red Riding Hood and Jack the Baker and his wife enter the Woods on a journey to fulfill their dearest dreams. But with a vengeful witch, two love-sick princes, a ravenous wolf and a rampaging giant on the loose, the heroes may find more trouble among the trees than they bargained for.

Seth Panitch directs a multitalented 28-member cast. “Into the Woods” is filled with the fairy tale characters we remember from our youth, but with twists, Panitch says.

“These stories were a type of morality school for children,” Panitch says. “Fairy tales taught right from wrong, how to live in the ever-changing world, and who to trust – and not.”

“Into the Woods” cleverly weaves these lessons into a charming, colorful, and cautious musical story.

“Into the Woods” performances are 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, April 22—26, with 2 p.m. shows Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27, in UA’s Gallaway Theatre. Following the Saturday matinee is a Talk Back, in which audience members can ask questions of the cast and crew.

Tickets are $13 for adults, $11 for UA faculty, staff and seniors and $9 for students. (All prices include a $1 service fee.) Group rates are available for parties of 10 or more. Tickets can be bought at the box office in Rowand-Johnson Hall from noon to 5 p.m., by phoning 205/348-3400 or online www.crimsonartstickets.com.

Note: “Into the Woods” is not a children’s show, and some elements of the production may frighten young audiences. Although fun for the whole family, parents are encouraged to use discretion when bringing small children.

The department of theatre and dance is a part of UA’s College of Arts and Sciences, the University’s largest division and the largest liberal arts college in the state. Students from the College have won numerous national awards including Rhodes Scholarships, Goldwater Scholarships and memberships on the USA Today Academic All American Team.