Into the Woods for Orange Theatre Co's darkly-comic latest production

By David Dixon

“Be careful what you wish for” is the theme of Orange Theatre Co's latest production of the fractured fairytale, Into the Woods.

From playwriting legend Stephen Sondheim and collaborator James Lapine the musical intertwines the plots of popular children’s stories into one seamless tale, with the show starting tomorrow, Friday, October 18, at Orange Civic Theatre.

Director Wendy Campbell points out that, despite its seemingly fantastical theme, the show is very much aimed at adults with a genuinely thoughtful message.

“The whole story is the fractured fairytale, that includes Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Little Red Riding Hood,” Wendy explained.

“It’s darkly comedic, almost macabre in places, and includes songs like Last Midnight, the title track Into the Woods, and Agony, all well-known songs,” she added.

Long-time OTC supporters will be intrigued to discover that the show also stars one local theatrical stalwart who also featured in the same play in the early 2000s.

“Grant Westcott was in our production of the show 21 years ago… he’s been away, and now he’s come back and, is now in this show again.

“Grant was originally ‘Jack’, and now he’s ‘the Baker’ who, with his wife, gets hold of one of Cinderella’s golden slippers to give to the witch, who has cursed them.”

The musical is tied together by the story of this childless couple and their quest to begin a family.

“The play examines the idea of, is what you want is what you REALLY want?

“Also, is it what you really need?” Wendy explained.

The project, she adds, has been a real labour of love with months in the planning from its volunteer cast and crew of actors, designers, set-builders, directors, and back-stage. 

“We’re ‘bumping-in’  (setting-up) this Sunday, with the first performance on Friday, with plenty of shows from then on.

“As well as the cast, there’s a huge amount of work in these shows; we begin planning them six months in advance,” Wendy explained.

The commitment to an all-live music show, is another string to its bow, Wendy believes.

“Nicki Johnston is our musical director — she conducts the orchestra during the shows.

“Each musician is an incredible one, we are very lucky as this is a big selling point for us — having live musicians is so important to this show, because of how complex the music is,” Wendy enthused.

In the grand theatre tradition — and in recognition of the imaginary and superstitious theme of the story — Orange City Life was reticent about wishing Wendy and her hard-working colleagues “good luck” with their latest production.

“No, you traditionally say, ‘break a leg’, or the other phrase is ‘chookas’ (full house),” she laughed.

Into the Woods runs from Friday, October 18, until Sunday, October 27. Tickets can be booked at the Orange Civic Theatre box office in Byng Street, by phone on 6393 8111, or via the link below at” https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx...