INTO THE WOODS Plays Cuesta Performing Arts Center This Weekend

While the film version of INTO THE WOODS is still fresh in the minds of movie goers, Kelrik Productions will be bringing Stephen Sondheim's Tony Award winning musical version to San Luis Obispo - set for a limited run of three live performances at the beautiful Cuesta Performing Arts Center this weekend, April 17 to 19.

The forests are not always what they seem in this spellbinding, romantic, and brilliant musical. Weaving everyone's favorite fairy tales together, this delightful, dark, and witty musical asks: "What happens AFTER happily ever after?" Director/Choreographer Erik Austin, Co-Director Sandy Schwarer and Musical Director John Cribb head the creative team. Austin has loved this show since he was a student at San Luis Obispo High School, even convincing the school to do the show which became his senior project. The rest of the creative team includes backdrop design by Grosh & Kenmark Inc. , scenic painting by Sharon Doran, costume design by Costume Capers, stage management by Ryan Manus, sound design by Ron Eminhizer and lighting design by Richard Jackson .

With music and lyrics by Sondheim and book by James Lapine, INTO THE WOODS debuted on Broadway in 1987 and ran for 764 performances garnering many awards during it's initial Broadway run including Best Actress in a Musical and Best Original Book and Score. The show has spawned numerous national tours and revivals and remains one of the American Theatre's best loved musicals to produce.

In this story, you will see many of the fairy tale characters that you have grown to love come to life in one epic story. All of these tales are woven together by an original story that involves a Baker and his Wife whose wish to begin a family sets off a series of twisted events within the confines of the dark woods.

"Audiences have a very unique opportunity to see two versions of INTO THE WOODS in two different mediums, all within months of each other," said Austin," and The Cuesta Performing Arts Center provides a unique and beautiful space that allows for theater-goers to fully enjoy this epic and extraordinary story." Schwarer adds, " Sondheim illustrates how there are always consequences to face when wishes are granted and those consequences are not always pretty."

Tickets for INTO THE WOODS are on sale now and may be purchased online at www.kelrikproductions.org or in person at Cheap Thrills, 563 Higuera Street in downtown San Luis Obispo. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7PM with one Sunday Matinee at 2PM April 17 - 19. Parking is available next to the theater. This production is made possible through the generous contributions of our Sponsors: Central Coast Family, Costume Capers and Cheap Thrills.

Mark your calendars for Kelrik's summer production of PETER PAN. Performances will be two weekends, July 10-12 and July 17-19 at Spanos Theater. Kelrik is diligently searching for a new "home" theater space in San Luis Obispo and welcomes any input on properties or buildings. For more information on Kelrik Productions, please visit our website: www.kelrikproductions.org.