by Marty Trese, KnoxPages.com editor
MOUNT VERNON –Once upon a time, 50 years ago, the Mount Vernon Players organized. Ever since, the Players have delighted audiences with theatrical entertainment. This weekend, the tradition continues with the production of Stephen Sondheim’s and James Lapine’s musical Into the Woods at the Memorial Theater.
Director Aaron Paulley gives us familiar fairy tale characters brought to life who are all struggling with something. The Narrator, played by Matthew Dinnen, begins to tell the tale of a witch’s curse which condemns the Baker and his Wife to a life without children. They embark on a quest to find four items to break the spell: the cow as white as milk, the cape as red as blood, the hair as yellow as corn and the slipper as pure as gold. To acquire these items the couple interacts with Jack, a cow named Milky White, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Cinderella and others.
They sing about their struggles accompanied by an orchestra led by Music Director Ginny Cameron.
Jennifer Casner plays Little Red Riding Hood and hits the mark with her interpretation of the little girl on the way to visit her Granny. She meets the Big Bad Wolf, played by Jim Stoner. The bed scene inside Granny’s bedroom is very well done with a great set and wonderful costumes. Audience members will thrill to the great costumes, stellar acting, and superb singing in this production.
Performances are scheduled at The Memorial Theater in Mount Vernon on Friday, November 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 2nd and Sunday, November 3rd at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.MountVernonTickets.com
To hear an interview about the production with Musical director Ginny Cameron click this link: https://soundcloud.com/mount-vernon-radio-com/into-the-woods-theater-preview
