A fractured fairy tale finds its way onto the Watertown Lyric Theatre stage beginning Thursday.
"Into the Woods," the 1987 Tony-winning musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, blends several popular fairy tales with an original tale of a childless baker and his wife. In the first act, they all seek the coveted "happily-ever-after status."
In act two, reality hits when the characters have to deal with the consequences of their choices and the resulting actions from the first act, such as what to do with a dead giant and does marrying a prince really guarantee happiness?
"This is an ensemble piece," director Phillip Dyke said after taking a break from painting a set piece before a rehearsal last week at Dulles State Office Building. The musical will be performed there at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. "There's about 20 different characters and not really a star. People can work together on equal footing."
It's challenging work for the cast. Mr. Dyke said Mr. Sondheim's writing style for "Into the Woods" requires lots of attention from the singers. At times, characters sing about different things simultaneously, although Mr. Dyke said the story line is easy to follow and suitable for all ages.
"At times they are singing on top of each other," Mr. Dyke said.
The scenes, which are "almost in constant motion" provide another challenge, Mr. Dyke said.
But the Lyric Theatre cast welcomes the chance to shine in the production.
"It is a challenge, which is a welcomed change," said Ashley DeMar, Watertown, who plays Cinderella. "To have enough resources to put on something that's so awesome is great," said the South Jefferson Central School senior. "It's good to know we have the resources to do that."
Those resources, she said, include dedicated Lyric Theatre players. "It's nice to have some new people come out and people who have been absent come back," Miss DeMar said.
Brian Sweeney, who plays the baker, is one of those Lyric Theatre veterans.
"This is my first Sondheim play," he said. "But it's a great experience. You can have a blast and grow as an actor at the same time."
"Into the Woods" won 1987 Tony Awards for best book, best score and best actress in a musical (Joanna Gleason). It opened the same year as "Phantom of the Opera" and ran for 764 performances.
"What begins as a lively irreverent fantasy in the style of 'The Princess Bride' becomes a moving lesson about community responsibility and the stories we tell our children," notes a synopsis from the musical's licensing agency, Music Theatre International.
Other characters, besides Cinderella, drawn from various stories include Little Red Riding Hood, Jack of beanstalk fame and Rapunzel. Songs include "Giants in the Sky," "I Know Things Now," "On the Steps of the Palace" and "No One is Alone."
"Sondheim and Lapine went back to the original Grimm fairy tale sources," Mr. Dyke said.
The musical has a narrator, Marreen Laemmermann, who explains the story.
"There's a lot that goes on, but it's very easily explained," Mr. Dyke said.
"It's wonderful how all the parts weave together and you can do things with that you can't do with one voice," said Rebecca Dyke, the director's wife, who plays the witch.
"I love to play the baddie," Mrs. Dyke said. "But there's lots more to her. She's hurting. It's not so black and white.'
Jose E. Itara, Watertown, who plays Jack and in the first act is obsessed with his cow, said the actors have some chances to ad-lib in the production.
"You can mess with the characters based on the situation on stage," he said. "It's more than singing."
