The final mainstage show of the Sterling College Theatre season, Stephen Sondheim’s popular musical Into the Woods, comes with extra weight and significance for eight seniors. This is largest group of graduating music and theatre students in the college’s known history. Their final show will be presented on Friday and Saturday, April 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m. and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 15 in Culbertson Auditorium on the College campus. 

On the surface Into the Woods is about familiar fairytale stories such as Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and Rapunzel. But the show mixes them up in a new story centered around the Baker and his Wife and becomes something more.

All these famous storybook characters are thrust together in the mysterious woods, where their stories become entangled with one another. They’re also forced to deal with the entire range of human emotions: love, happiness, uncertainty, despair and even death. With songs like “Giants in the Sky,” “Children Will Listen,” and “No One Is Alone,” Into the Woods has become one of the most popular musicals of the last 30+ years. 

Marisa Callan, Sterling College music faculty member, is acting as both Music Director and Director for this production. “This group of seniors pushed hard to do this show,” she said. “It is an appropriate choice with rich, complex music and characters and a true sense of community.” 

Senior Keeley Coon, who plays Cinderella, said the show and rehearsal process have brought both feelings of excitement and nostalgia. “This has definitely been my favorite performance and experience of my college career,” Coon said. “Not only is Cinderella a dream role of mine but doing one of my favorite musicals in one of my favorite parts with people that I consider family — has been a dream.”

Coon is not the only one enjoying their final performance to the fullest. Seven members of the 18-person cast are seniors. One senior, Cate Gutteridge is Stage Manager for the show.  

Senior Rachel Thomson, who plays the Witch and is choreographer for the show, said it has been a special experience to put on this show and work so closely with the rest of the cast who all share a strong sense of camaraderie.

“Into the Woods means so much to me. It was my first show in high school (Buhler) and my first Sondheim musical. Sondheim is also my favorite musical theater composer because of the all the different elements he uses when writing his music and lyrics. I am so happy to finish off my time at Sterling with such a special story,” Thomson said. 

“I think it’s really nice to enjoy the moments we have together,” Thomson said. “Everyone’s going to be going off and doing their thing, and some of us are going to pursue this (professional theatre), and some aren’t. It’s just very special to be in this moment with these people one last time,” said Thomson.

The cast says the show’s greatest challenges and greatest pleasures come from Sondheim’s complex and difficult vocal score. 

Senior Luke Harding, playing Cinderella’s Prince and the Wolf, said the cast has been working hard to master the score’s challenges. He said he knew the production was going to be special when the cast sang the 15-minute prologue for the first time. ‘’It was a powerful moment,” he said. “You could feel the energy in the room. You could feel how excited everyone was to be there.”

Sondheim is generally regarded as the Master of Music Theatre for his award-winning musicals, dating back to 1957’s West Side Story. Some of his best-known works include Sweeney Todd, Company, and A Little Night Music. He has won more Tony Awards than any other composer in history. 

Sondheim’s music is characterized by intricate melodies and complex harmonies, often pushing the boundaries of traditional musical theater conventions. His lyrics are renowned for their wit, depth, and ability to convey complex emotions with clarity and intelligence.

“We are at Sondheim’s mercy,” Callan said. “He writes what he wants; you just have to do it. Sondheim’s work comes with heavy demands for performers, but they are excelling quite brilliantly,” Callan said. “They all bring heart and humor to the show as well as the lovely vocal work they all have achieved. The camaraderie they all share just adds layers of heart and emotion to the work.  I am proud of them.”

Summing up her time and experiences at Sterling College, Coon said, “Sterling College Theatre has helped me to discover who I really am and what is truly important in this life. I have found my faith through this program and met people who made a lasting impact on my life. This is a very special place that has helped me grow in so many ways, not only as a performer, but as a person. I am forever grateful.”

Tickets to Coon, Thomson, Harding, and others’ final Sterling College Theatre production are available online at www.sterling.edu/arts and will also be available at the door before each performance. Cost is $15 for adults and $5 for students. 

Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year college located in Sterling, Kansas, with a mission to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith. For more information, visit www.sterling.edu.