What do you do when you have dozens of talented students wanting to participate in your winter musical? If you’re Brice Henry, vocal music teacher (6-12) at Bellefontaine High School, you choose a production with an ensemble cast and no specific lead.
That production is “Into the Woods,” which the company will present at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, and Saturday, Feb. 26.
“When I started this job (in August 2021), it struck me how much talent we had,” Henry said, “especially, though not only, in the senior class.”
“Into the Woods,” with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, explores the consequences of the wishes and pursuits of numerous characters from Brothers Grimm fairy tales, with several unexpected and often dark twists.
It’s all tied together through the story of a baker and his wife, who long to have a family. After a witch places a curse on them, they set off on a journey where they interact with storybook characters like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Jack, with his cow, Milky White.
For Henry, who graduated from BHS in 2011, it’s a fun opportunity to return to his alma mater and showcase the talent there.
“And I really just love this music,” he added. “It’s challenging with a lot of variety. It’s Stephen Sondheim.”
Tickets can be purchased by cash or check (no online sales). Call (937) 592-2620 or e-mail tickets for more information.
The cast of Into the Woods are:
Narrator – Sam Moreland
Cinderella – Caitlyn Neill
Jack – Corbin Baker
Jack’s Mother – Miriam Irick
The Baker – Gage Crouch
The Baker’s Wife – Lily Turner
Cinderella’s Stepmother – Maggie Howard
Florinda – Emma Middaugh
Lucinda – Abby Ruble
Little Red Ridinghood – Jordan Butler
The Witch – Laney Mitchell
Cinderella’s Mother – Katie Pool
Mysterious Man – Nate Wallace
Wolf Pack – Gabe Foreman, Will Patterson (Friday), Malcolm DeSouza (Saturday)
Rapunzel – Joslyn Robinson
Cinderella’s Prince – Palmer Neeld
Rapunzel’s Prince – Malcolm DeSouza (Friday), Will Patterson (Saturday)
Giant – Elizabeth Marcum
Cinderella’s Father – Ryan Alexander
Granny – Ally Barker
Steward – Blaine Mitchell
Snow White – Lizzy Foreman
Sleeping Beauty – Grace Guajardo
Cow Puppeteer – Hunter J. Kerns
Townsfolk, Birds, Fairytale Characters, etc. – Jai Abhyankar, Alexis Buffkin Tyler Bond Katie Crabill, Lilly Hudson, Kadence Jones, Camryn Neill Kyndal Newkirk, Cati Snyder, Emily Taylor Lauren Valdez, Skyla Wilgus