Students at St. Anthony’s School are taking to the stage for their first music production.
The students are producing Into the Woods Jr., and have been working hard on this fractured fairy tale. It will be on stage May 11-13.
“We have done small productions before, but this is the first full-on musical,” said drama specialist and art teacher Angela Jusseaume. “Grade 7-12s were able to audition. The majority of the cast is from Junior High, but we have all the grades represented."
Jusseaume explains Into the Woods Jr. is a new take on the Stephen Sondheim Broadway fairy tale musical, leaning on Grimm's fairy tale characters.
“It's a version of a fractured fairy tale. It has all the usual cast of fairy tale characters. We have Little Red Riding Hood, the wolf, Cinderella, Rapunzel, the witch, and the various cast of princes and stepsisters,” she said.
Jusseaume says the students are really excited about the production and learning as they go.
“We are really blessed with the cast. They are enthusiastic to learn the trade and craft,” she said.
Students are taking on all roles in the play, from on stage to behind the scenes.
Pella LaDrew is adding her expertise to the choreography.
“I have the youngest stage manager I have ever worked with and they will be controlling the show,” said Jusseaume.
She enjoys working with the students and watching them learn.
“The cast and crew really become a tight-knit community, almost like it's the play family. It's great to see their excitement all the way through, but especially after the shows are done, it is such a rewarding experience for all of us. I am already seeing possibilities for future shows with these amazing actors and crew members,” said Jusseaume. “It is such a welcoming environment. We’re all in it together, they are helping each other out. I have seen confidence grow and I believe it will continue to grow. It is a really cool experience.”
