The Seaway Valley Theatre Company continues its tenth anniversary season this winter with its annual musical production. “Into the Woods,” the beloved, Tony Award-winning classic by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, will take to the stage at the Aultsville Theatre on select dates in February.
Once upon a time in a far off kingdom, there lived a baker and his wife, a girl named Cinderella, and a boy named Jack. The baker and his wife wished to have a child. Yearning for her deceased mother, Cinderella wished to go to the king’s festival. Jack wished for his pet cow to give some milk, but his mother wished more for far, far greater things. There was also a girl named Little Red Ridinghood (a regular customer of the baker who was off to visit her grandmother), Cinderella’s evil step-family and uncaring father, a witch with her own agenda (who also happened to have a daughter named Rapunzel), a mysterious man with a secret, two princes who valued charm over sincerity, a dutiful but stuffy royal steward, a ravenously hungry wolf, and a bloodthirsty giant out for revenge. All ventured into the woods to find what they needed to turn their wishes into reality. But, as tales like these often tell, it’s best to be careful what you wish for because it just might come true.
The cast is as diverse as the play’s collection of characters, featuring both newcomers to the SVTC family and familiar favourites. The show’s director is Lacie Petrynka, a longtime and highly esteemed member of Cornwall’s performing arts community. While no stranger to directing, (“Cake Walk,” “Marriage Can be Hazardous to Your Health,” “Maggie’s Getting Married”) this production marks her début at the helm of a major musical. Once again, Lise Richer and Christiane Taylor are co-producers, and Brian McCartney returns as musical director. While dance is not customary to most stagings of this play, choreographer Mélanie Samis gives an additional layer of movement to the story which is sure to delight and pleasantly surprise you.
“Into the Woods” will be performed at the Aultsville Theatre, St. Lawrence College, on the evenings of February 19, 20, 26, and 27 at 7:30 pm. A matinée will also be given on Sunday, February 21 at 1:30 pm. Tickets are various prices and are available in advance online at www.svtc.theticketwicket.ca; in person at the Cornwall and Counties Tourism Office, 691 Brookdale Avenue, Unit E; or by phone at 613-938-4748 or 1-800-937-4748. They will also be available at the door for one hour before each performance. All seats are assigned and the theatre is wheelchair accessible. For more information, visit www.svtc.ca. Be sure to follow the hashtag #SVTCWoods on social media, too.