EVANSVILLE, IND. (09/16/2024) The University of Evansville (UE) Theatre opens their 2024-2025 season with INTO THE WOODS, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by James Lapine, originally directed on Broadway by James Lapine, and orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick. This production opens at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 4, in Shanklin Theatre. Additional performances are at 7:30 p.m., on Oct. 5, 17, 18, 19, and at 2:00 p.m., on Oct. 20.

Once upon a time, a genius and prolific composer, Stephen Sondheim, partnered with a brilliant writer, James Lapine, and they created a modern twist on the fairy tales you only thought you knew. This Tony Award-winning musical features a childless couple’s quest to undue the curse put on their family by a Witch, as well as their fateful encounters with Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella. Rapunzel, and Jack (and his beanstalk). This spell-binding tale weaves together a soaring score with magical adventures that ultimately lead these iconic characters to view their interdependence as a greater strength than simply living happily ever after.

INTO THE WOODS is directed by Assistant Professor Wes Grantom ’03. Tyler Simpson, guest artist, serves as the music director; Delaney Ross, a senior performance major from Fort Worth, Texas is the choreographer; Jacob Climer ’02, guest artist, serves as the scenic designer; Kylee Hassell, a senior design and technology major from Portland, Tenn., is the costume designer; Ethan Santiago, a junior design and technology major from Belton, Texas, is the lighting designer; Jon Robertson, visiting professor, serves as the sound designer; Marguerite Winzinger, a sophomore directing and dramaturgy major from Bordentown, N.J., is the dramaturg; Maya Barry, a senior stage management major from Marietta, Ga., is the stage manager, and Visiting Assistant Professor, Scott Carpenter ’05 serves as the technical director.

The cast features Gavin Ramirez, a junior performance major from McKinney, Texas, as Cinderella’s Dad; Kurt Sparks, a sophomore performance major from Millville, N.J., as Narrator/Mysterious Man; Amoren Newton, a sophomore performance major from Denton, Texas, as The Baker; Lindsay Perr, a senior performance major from Medford, N.J., as The Baker’s Wife; Adam Techmanski, a senior performance major from Richmond, Texas, as Cinderella’s Prince; Benjamin Lodge, a sophomore performance major from Overland Park, Kan., as Rapunzel’s Prince; Tomi Akinwande, a junior performance major from Houston, Texas, as The Witch; Stella Clark-Kaczmarek, a first-year theatre studies major from Omaha, Neb., as Jack’s Mother; Alyssa Meadows, a junior performance major from Louisville, Ky., as Cinderellas’ Mother/Granny; Umbra Person, a junior performance major from Jonesboro, Ga., as Cinderella’s Step-Mother; Rachel Disney, a first-year performance major from Louisville, Ky., as Lucinda; Philana Koto, a first-year performance major from Denton, Texas, as Florinda; Kennedy Olson, a junior performance major from Porter, Texas, as Cinderella; Reese Hickman, a first-year performance major from Conroe, Texas, as Rapunzel; Mason Norton, a junior performance major from Bremen, Ind., as Jack; Caroline Petersma, a first-year performance major from Lenexa, Kan., as Little Red Riding Hood; Danny Perez, a junior performance major from San Antonio, Texas, as Wolf/Steward; The ensemble includes: Nick Geyvandova, a first-year performance major from College Station, Texas; Luis Alejandro Gonzalez, a first-year performance major from Midland Texas; and Kiara Cantu, a first-year performance major from Edinburg, Texas.

Adult ticket prices are $20 and $18 for senior adults, UE employees, and non-UE students. UE students may obtain one free student rush ticket beginning at 12 p.m. on the day of the performance they wish to attend. In addition, UE Theatre is excited to continue their “Pay What You Will” initiative this season. Every Thursday evening performance in Shanklin Theatre is available for any person to pay any price that best fits their budget. Single tickets may be purchased online at theatre.evansville.edu or by calling the ticket office at 812.488.2031, Monday through Friday, 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.