The Ringwald to Stage INTO THE WOODS, 5/2-6/2

Nearing the end of a season devoted to words and stories, it only makes sense to close with Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's seminal musical INTO THE WOODS. The ultimate storybook musical gets mightily reimagined by Ferndale's feisty theatre, The Ringwald, in association with Two Muses Theatre, F.R.E.D., and Kickham Hanley PLLC.

The musical intertwines the plots of several Brothers Grimm fairy tales and follows them to explore the consequences of the characters' wishes and quests. The main characters are taken from Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Cinderella, as well as several others. The musical is tied together by an original story involving a childless Baker and his Wife and their quest to begin a family, hampered by a Witch who has placed a curse on them.

Pared to a cast of 10 (plus a surprise guest star!), using one piano, and working closely with music director Jeff Bobick, director Joe Bailey's production aims to strip down the grander aspects of the musical and concentrate on the story and the beautiful music and lyrics. This production highlights the resilience of the human spirit and adds lots of belly laughs along the way.

INTO THE WOODS opened on Broadway in 1987 and went on to win three Tony Awards (Best Book, Best Score, and Best Actress in a Musical) in a year that was dominated by The Phantom of the Opera

Joe Bailey directs a cast that includes Drew Arnold, Kryssy Becker, Suzan M. Jacokes, Lisa Jesswein, Molly McMahon, David Moan, Dan Morrison, Richard Payton, Jamie Richards, and Eva Rosenwald. Jeff Bobick provides Music Direction. The production is designed by Phill Harmer, Tracy Murrell, Joe Plambeck, and Alexander Henderson Trice.

INTO THE WOODS opens Friday, May 2, 2014 and plays through Monday, June 2, 2014 at 8pm on Friday, Saturday and Monday nights with 3pm Sunday matinees. Ticket prices are $25.00 for Friday and Saturday performances, $20 for Sunday shows, and Monday nights are MORE THAN HALF OFF the original ticket price at only $10 a ticket. All students can now receive a $5 discount off normal ticket price on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday performances (available at the box office the day of the show with valid student ID). Tickets can be purchased at www.TheRingwald.com or at the theatre box office. The Ringwald box office opens 45 minutes before performances and tickets can be purchased with cash or Visa/Mastercard. The Ringwald opened their doors seven years ago on May 11, 2007 with Fatal Attraction: A Greek Tragedy. Quickly, The Ringwald became a mainstay of Detroit's theatre community. Past Productions include: August: Osage County, When the Rain Stops Falling, The Bad Seed, Making Porn, The Book of Liz, Rent, and Love! Valour! Compassion!. The Ringwald was named 2009, 2012 and 2013 Best Theatrical Troupe by Real Detroit and Best Place to See Local Theatre in 2010, 2011 and 2012 by the readers of Metro Times.

Photo by Brandy Joe Plambeck.