Northampton, MA - The Smith College Departments of Music and Theatre present Into the Woods, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim with book by James Lapine, on April 22, 23, 24, 25 at 7:30 pm in Theatre 14. The story follows a Baker and his Wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King's Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch's curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Their wishes might be granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later.  Tickets $5-15 at smitharts.ludus.com. Free for Smith students.

Into the Woods is directed by Theatre professor Daniel Elihu Kramer with co-direction by Tabitha Reid ’27. Kate DeLugan, Senior Lecturer and head of vocal studies, is Music Director. The  Smith College Orchestra will be in the pit, conducted by Jonathan Hirsh, Senior Lecturer in Music. “It is very exciting to provide students with a complete, professional performance experience with full staging and live orchestra,” says DeLugan. “It is the first time the music and theatre departments have collaborated on a project of this scale and are able to offer students academic credit.” Kramer notes that Smith students have been clamoring for a chance to do a musical for years, “This was a wonderful chance for the music and theatre departments to work together.”  After careful consideration, the faculty team decided Into the Woods was the perfect choice to challenge singers, actors, and instrumentalists. 

Into the Woods, the second collaboration between writer/director James Lapine and composer Stephen Sondheim, opened on Broadway in November 1987 for a nearly two-year run. The musical was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and received three, and it won the 1988 New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award and Drama Desk Award for Best Musical. Weaving together stories of both familiar and original characters, Into the Woods provides a sophisticated and novel look at fairy tales and provides an answer to what happens after “happily ever after.” The musical tells us that “every now and then” we have to go into the woods because “there’s more to learn of what you know” — and warns that we “better be ready for the journey.” 

In a New Yorker commentary about the Disney film released in 2014, Michael Schulman muses how Into the Woods served as “a gateway to adolescence and its complicated truths. Act I had magic beans. Act II had disillusionment, responsibility, and loss. You got from one to the other through the woods, as good a metaphor as any for the big brutal world.”  Kate DeLugan comes to a similar assessment:  “This show deals with themes of hope vs cynicism, what we wish for vs. what is achievable, and how to forge a way through loss and disillusionment. These are powerful themes for young people in particular to explore.” During a time of global upheaval and uncertainty, the musical’s themes of consequences (wishes vs. reality) and the importance of community and our shared humanity, are more relevant than ever.  Co-director, Tabitha Reid adds, “Sondheim and Lapine’s text is full of discoveries and poignant reflections on community and the price we pay to get what we wish—after all, “No one is alone.” 

The Smith production pulls the story out of the realm of fantasy and places it in a real forest with a group of young friends camping together and creating their own magical experience. The ensemble cast of 20 portray classic storybook characters – Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and his magic beans, a Witch, Cinderella, the Wolf, some Princes, and Rapunzel – with help from costumes designed to switch between normal life and fairytale by Kiki Smith, Professor of Theatre. Set Designer Alina Tschumakow ’26  has created a forest that alternates between reality and fantasy, Via Sussman ’26 Lighting Designer transforms the realistic set into a magical inner landscape with the support of sound design by Reed Shaw ’27 and faculty member, Lara Dubin. This show is recommended for 13+ due to length and dark themes. Full content details and tickets ($5-15) at smitharts.ludus.com.