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Photograph by George Sakkestad

'Into the Woods' is a fairy tale with a twist, and Saratoga students will be bring the musical to life Feb. 8-11 at the McAfee Center. Sean Pierce (left), playing the world, casts a glance at Emily Harter as Little Red Riding Hood.

Students test their talent in 'Into the Woods'

By Michele Tjin

Fairy tales come with perfect conclusions, but high school thespians will show the community that those happily-ever-after endings can be elusive, even for fairy tale characters.

Students from Saratoga High School will perform the Stephen Sondheim musical Into the Woods in February. The comedy is based on the misadventures of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and other classic characters. Life isn't so easy anymore for the characters in the show, but student actors say the beauty of it is that the audience will be able to relate to the characters' imperfect situations. The musical's unconventional look at fairy tales has made it a fun production for the cast, students say. The second act of the musical deals with darker themes of murder and adultery.

"These are things that you never knew about the fairy tale characters," said freshman Samantha Pack, who plays the role of Cinderella.

Into the Woods is unique because it is one of the more challenging productions the students have tackled.

"The music is complicated," said senior Sarah Thermond, who plays the Baker's Wife. "There is never a moment without music going on."

Kathleen Woods, the drama teacher who serves as director, said being able to pull off the production is a testament to the talent she is working with.

"The music is very complex, and the show doesn't follow traditional musical theater patters," she said. "The vocal range is great, and it's challenging for actors and singers. This would have been too difficult without student buy-in, but we have the vocal talent necessary to do the show."

Into the Woods is a first at Saratoga on many levels. It was the first production to be chosen by a student vote. Letting the students choose the next musical seemed like a good idea, and it gives them more ownership, Woods said.

The production is also the first time students are in charge of the set designs and choreography. Senior Melody Miller said she approached McAfee Center director Adrian Stapleton last spring for the opportunity to design the scenery for the show. She came up with her own concept, a rustic fall look with a stained glass background. She first sketched her ideas on paper and drew them from the perspective of the actors, the audience and a bird's eye view. With the help of a tech crew and Stapleton, her mentor, her designs became a reality.

"This was a culmination of my favorite loves, problem solving and theater," Melody said.

Seniors Emily Harter and Devi Narasimhan are in charge of keeping the actors' feet moving to the music's beat. Emily, who has been dancing for 14 years, has had previous experience choreographing a few numbers in past school productions, but this year the dance moves fall squarely on her and her partner's shoulders.

"It's interesting to switch and relate to [the other students] as buddies and then as a leader," said Emily, who also plays Little Red Riding Hood. "The students listen to me, and they help me out. Devi and I aren't dictators; I think we're good leaders."

Emily said there are a lot more dance movements in the show than one would think. Even the way a character walks and moves can be a series of choreographed moves, she said.

In creating the choreography, Emily found taking notes on paper took too long. She gave up and let her mind and body take over.

"I listen to the song and what the character is saying," she said. "I also listen to it musically, like when the beats change. Then I try to become the character, and I think of how I would move."

The students' involvement for set designs and choreography is an example of how the theater arts program has grown at Saratoga, Woods said.

"The students' leadership has increased and become more mature," she said. "The seniors have a lot of [experiences] to draw on. This gives them the opportunity to build on other skills."

All performances will be at the McAfee Center and run Feb. 8-10 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets, at $10- $12, are available through the school activities office by calling 408.867.3411, ext. 203. Note: 'Into the Woods' has adult themes in Act 2.