Sondheim musical offers great entertainment for all ages
Dana
College Theater will offer Stephen Sondheim’s modern
classic, “Into the Woods,” April 28–May 2
in Lauritzen Theater, Madsen Fine Arts Center on Dana’s
campus in Blair, Neb. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. with an additional
performance
at 1:30 p.m. on May 2. Admission is $5.
Guest director Brandon
Higdem will lead a talented cast of Dana College students
in this musically and dramatically thrilling
tale. Higdem has previously directed “Das Barbecue,” “Brighton
Beach Memoirs,” “Clue:The Musical,” “Parallel
Lives,” and “The Dinner Party” at the Omaha
Community Playhouse. The production is produced by Professor
Paul Schneider, professor of English and director of theater
at Dana. Last year, Higdem directed an acclaimed version of “Grease” for
Dana College Theater. He said he is excited to be back working
with Dana’s talented students.
“
It’s going to be awesome,” Higdem said. “The
music is so difficult but the performers are rallying around
it. Dana has such a great tradition of preparing and training
students in the arts, they are a wonderful group to work with.”
“
Into the Woods” combines the well-known fairy tales of
Cinderella (Katie Spicka, Omaha, Neb.), Rapunzel (Katrina Woldseth,
Parkland, Wash.), Jack and the Beanstalk (Greg Rickenbacher,
Tacoma, Wash.) and Little Red Ridinghood (Kori Williamsen, Blair,
Neb.) with the story of the Baker (Eric Grant-Leanna, Omaha,
Neb.) and his Wife (Mara Bartlett, Cozad, Neb.), who desperately
want a child. The musical takes the next step from the fairy
tales and speculates on what happens to characters who get to
live happily ever after.
“
Into the Woods” is entertaining for all ages. The fairy
tale elements keep the youngest audience members entertained,
while the subtext of greed, gluttony, community and family put
an intellectual twist on children’s tales.
“
This production is a great opportunity to enjoy musical theater,” Higdem
said. “All of our performers are so strong, it makes
us able to produce such a great ensemble piece. We want to
give
the audience a well sung, very well acted and visually appealing
show they can enjoy for a very reasonable price.”
Dana
College is a place where all students actively participate.
They make things happen — in their own lives and in
the lives of others. Through a highly supportive faculty
and campus
community, Dana students develop interpersonal skills, leadership
abilities, and other important values and knowledge as they
make choices about their future. Dana’s outstanding
academic programs in business, education, music and social
work, among
others, ensure that students have the knowledge, skills and
experience necessary to pursue challenging careers or placement
in graduate
school.
Dana
College is a private, liberal arts institution in
Blair, Neb. To learn more, visit www.dana.edu.
Dana College:
Develop talents, Take charge, Build a future — We’re
with you all the way.
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For more information contact:
Sarah Cavanah
Communications Coordinator
Dana College
(402) 426-7216
scavanah@dana.edu |
