The Olympic Heights Theatre Department’s most recent production of Into the Woods was a tremendous success, rendering audiences enthralled by the cast’s enthusiasm, elaborate staging, and phenomenal execution. The show, written by Stephen Sondheim, is known for its complex compilation of classic fairy tales and coordinating music, making it unlike any other show that Troupe 4992 has ever taken on. 

The musical combines several popular stories, such as “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Rapunzel,” and “Cinderella,” to name a few.  The main characters, a childless baker and his wife, interact with a witch and encounter other characters from these fairy tales throughout their journey to become parents. 

Treycen McLeod, who took on the roles of both the Wolf and the Giant, shared his initial impression about the production. “At first, I was slightly skeptical of us doing the production in general because Into the Woods is a massive show,” he established. “But in the end, everyone pulled through beautifully. It was amazing to see everyone work so hard and perform their roles so passionately.” His feelings illustrated the persistence of the cast, especially as newer members joined the crew. 

Jeronimo Dorado, who played the Baker, conveyed that Into the Woods was “the most ambitious and longest show we’ve done. It’s also one of our most impactful and deep shows, a show where the audience really is left to reflect on the themes,” he said. Dorado reflected on the emotional depth required to perform in such a complex production, balancing exuberance with the magnitude of its themes.

Ava Troiano, who portrayed the Baker’s Wife, echoed Dorado’s sentiment. “It really makes you think about what you have in life and should be grateful for, as well as knowing what you wish for and the consequences that may come along with it,” she elaborated. 

McLeod also spotlighted the significance of the diverse cast in making each character have a sense of individuality and feel crucial to the ensemble. “In Into the Woods, every ensemble member had their own subtle role,” he noted. “It felt like the play wouldn’t be the same without every single member of the cast.”

The complexity of the music in Into the Woods was another challenge for the cast. “The music was extremely complicated,” Troiana commented. “Some of the songs are even over 10 minutes long, so we needed to put in a lot of rehearsal time for it.” Despite the difficulty, Dorado praised the beauty of the music, saying, “The music for this show is so beautiful and tells its own story at the same time, adding levels to this show.”

The theatre department’s strong sense of camaraderie also played a key role in the production’s success. Dorado described the group dynamic as “close and dedicated,” creating a tight-knit group that produced a spectacular musical.  “That sense of family helped bring the whole cast together to perform well in the end,” Dorado explained.  There’s never a dull moment on set, which also contributes to the family-like cast.  “Everyone’s joyful attitude and supportive kindness really helped me enjoy being part of this cast,” McLeod added.

Director Kimberly Coyle expounded on her selection of Into the Woods for the production, saying, “I have chosen this season because of the numerous intellectual, vocal, and physical challenges that it will allow our students to overcome and ultimately grow from.” Coyle also highlighted that her “favorite part is always watching [her] students have their ‘a-ha’ moment on or behind stage when their effort finally comes to fruition and they fully understand and embrace the material.”

For the cast, Into the Woods became more than just one of their many fabulous productions—it was an experience that resonated with them even following the final curtain call. As Troiano summarized, “Being able to put [the show] on in our own way will forever be something that I hold close to my heart.” This production was an experience like none other for Troupe 4992 and everyone who had the wonderful opportunity to view it.