Cascade High School presents the musical, Into the Woods

The Cascade High School drama department is taking yet another bold step with their upcoming production of the Stephen Sondheim musical, Into the Woods. Originally a Broadway play, the production was made into movie in 2014, which of course, gives the show much visibility.
“It has some visibility. It is a classic of musical theater. It came out in the late ‘80s. The fact is that it is a movie that a lot of people have seen, that is encouraging. The movie, though it was overseen by Sondheim, it is very different from the play,” said Director Mandi Wickline.
In particular, the Broadway production is two acts.
“The first act is all about them obtaining their wishes, the second act should just be called, careful what you wish for. The two acts are almost like two different shows,” Wickline said. “With the movie, they had to make it seamless, happily ever after to the darker part of the show. It’s a fascinating show to put on because it is one of the most difficult shows in the musical theater cannon.”
The production provides quite a challenge for high school performers, mainly because of the music.
“The music is incredibly difficult. Rhythmically, it is very difficult. There is a lot of underscoring that needs to be timed with dialog, so there’s music going on under lines,” Wickline said.
Wickline said she is very confident her cast can pull it off, especially after their production of Les Miserables.
“We went with the seniors we have and the rest of the really talented high school kids. We can pull this off. The kids have been working really hard on music and lines, unlike Les Mis, there are lines,” Wickline said. “It’s difficult to go back and forth between the music and the lines. That is musical theater structure, but this is not typical music theater.”
Having performed in the musical twice, Wickline said she is very familiar with the music, but even if you are familiar with the music, teaching it is a “whole nother ball game.”
“We have Ann Conrad, the choir teacher, who is doing the music direction. We have a student band for the first time since I’ve been there. That is a big deal. I’m proud to say, it’s an all Cascade production,” Wickline said. “Ann music directed Oklahoma for us. We had a music director we’ve been using over and over, but she got a different job. Ann loves the show. It’s hard to be a teacher all day, then music direct the show. I admire the teachers so much.”
Senior Treat Schubert is the baker. Cassidy Wisemore is the baker’s wife. Senior Andrea Sorensen is the witch. Senior Maddie Vandel is Cinderella. Freshman Landon Davies as Jack. Ellie Camp is Jack’s mother. Senior Gabe Wulfman is Cinderella’s prince. Caleb Youncer is Rupunzel’s prince. Sophomore Tegan Mathews is the narrator and the wolf. Maddie Scheifelbein is Little Red Riding Hood.
“It’s an ensemble show. What is different about is that it doesn’t have male and female romantic leads. It doesn’t necessarily have villains, they are just people. They are just trying survive like everyone else,” she said.
All the roles are challenging. Anybody who has to sing, that is challenging, she said.
“What we realized, in the accompaniment, Sondheim doesn’t give you any help on your melody. You have this music bed and you have to find your note with your pitches. He wrote this brilliant score that is incredibly difficult to sing. It’s an ambitious show, but the kids have handled it really well. I’m excited to have a band,” Wickline said.
Local set designer Nick Taylor, who also did the “Les Mis” set, has produced another gem, what Wickline calls a “Swiss Family Robinson” set.
“We have a lot of really dedicated people who are really talented doing a very good job,” she said.
The performers and the band have been practicing since January. The show is March 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 7 p.m. at Cascade High School.  
“I’m always nervous on opening night. The show always grows throughout the performances. I believe the performances are part of the education. I don’t just let it go after opening night. I give notes and it continues to grow and change,” Wickline said. “That is what so amazing about theater. It’s a living art.”
Ian Dunn can be reached at 548-5286 or editor@leavenworthecho.com.