Prepare to Step ‘Into the Woods’

This fall, the Lewis & Clark theatre and music departments are joining forces to present Into the Woods, a whimsical musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. The production invites audiences into an enchanted forest where familiar fairy-tale characters pursue their dreams and desires. Along the way, their intertwining journeys lead them to unexpected truths about happiness, community, and the cost of ambition. 

Into the Woods is directed by Cristi Miles, instructor in theatre. John Cox, visiting professor of music, serves as the production’s music director and vocal coach. Together, they work with a cast and crew of about 60 students.

Cristi Miles, director of Into the Woods and instructor in theatre“Students are singing, dancing, playing, acting, designing, and building their way through Sondheim’s gloriously fantastical woods,” says Miles. “We are all digging in to support the students as best we can to put up this incredible, and huge, show!”

Into the Woods is a wonderful mash-up of well-known fairy tales, including Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, and many more. “In it we see these well-worn tales come to life anew because of the way they intersect and weave together,” says Miles. “The show’s themes circle around what it means to grow up, to raise children, to fall in love, to be married, to accept responsibility, to wish and then have our wishes fulfilled (with possible consequences), and finally, one’s individual responsibility to their community.”

Miles’ ultimate vision is that audience members will identify with what they see on stage. “We hope that everyone who comes recognizes themselves—or at least a part of themselves—in the story.”

Although the musical itself has not been adapted in any way, the production features “an unconventional forest.” Audience members will be able to write a wish on a colored piece of paper, which will then be attached to the trees and become part of the set.

For performers, Into the Woods is complex and demanding. “The music is extremely hard, and requires deft musicality and listening,” says Miles. “The story demands a huge range from the actors, who have to be both adept with comedy and vulnerable enough to portray deep loss.”

Tiani Ertel BA ’25, a theatre major from Stevensville, Montana, plays the role of the Witch. “I’ve learned that, truly, a big part of the magic of Into the Woods is the complexity of the music and how it tells the story with such intricacy and sensitivity. Becoming aware of those layers as an actor has been electrifying.”

That said, she’s also found the show incredibly challenging. “People say Sondheim is hard, but Sondheim is really hard.”

Isabella Mercado BA ’27, a theatre and Hispanic studies double major from San Francisco, plays the role of Little Red in the show. It’s the first time she’s performed in a musical. “It has been helpful having those in the music department as a resource and as a source of guidance.”

In addition to acting and singing, the performers must also be able to dance. “I’ve loved choreography rehearsals because it’s always fun yet challenging,” says Mercado. “It has also been great working with our choreographer, Andrew Fleming, and being able to put movement to the music and text.”

After several weeks of rehearsals, the cast and crew are eager to share Into the Woods with theatregoers. “I’m excited, most of all, for the audience to go on this journey with us,” says Ertel. “Into the Woods is a story that is aware of its existence as a story, and the audience gets to be aware of that, too. No one is exempt from the often harsh reality of our story, but, at the same time, no one is alone! I hope the audience will see the powerful love infused within this story, and feel it with us.”

Into the Woods runs November 1–2 at 7:30 p.m., November 3 at 2 p.m., and November 7–9 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online or in person at the Fir Acres Theatre Box Office.

Arts@LC Theatre Music