Into the Woods Debuts at Mississippi College

The MC production of "Into the Woods" debuts September 24

Fans of celebrated American composer Stephen Sondheim and Grimm’s Brothers fairy tales shouldn’t miss “Into the Woods.”

The lively musical written by Sondheim debuts this fall on a Mississippi College stage. Performances at the Jean Pittman Williams Recital Hall run from September 24 through October 4.

Rehearsals started in late August for the talented cast of Mississippi College students and faculty. English professor David Miller of Clinton serves as the show’s narrator. The plot mixes fairy tales like Little Red Ridinghood, Rapunzel, Cinderella and her Stepmother and Stepsisters.

Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm first published the German fairy tales in 1812. But Sondheim’s delightful production continues to attract millions of followers in the 21^st Century. A new generation gravitated to Disney’s recent film version starring Johnny Depp, Meryl Streep and Anna Kendrick.

MC voice professor Kristen Gunn, the coordinator of musical theatre and opera productions on the Clinton campus, raves about the entertaining musical.

“In Sondheim fashion, the music is comprised of difficult rhythms and melodies,” Gunn says. “But when the music combines with the clever script, it all fits perfectly.”

Audiences laugh at the show’s funny moments, but see another side, too.

“Into the Woods” addresses “serious themes within the second act, such as greed, death and loss,” Gunn said.

Many consider Sondheim, 85, to be America’s greatest living composer and lyricist with his remarkable musical career spanning more than 60 years.

He’s responsible for “Company” and “Follies,” among others. The New York City native penned the lyrics for Broadway smash hits like “West Side Story” and “Gypsy.”

Mississippi College students playing leading roles in the campus production include Charlie Bell and Kendyll Covington of Birmingham, Alabama, Jamie Ferguson of Clinton, Satrina Massey of Bruce, and Sam Lovorn of Philadelphia. Others in the cast: Andrew Fehrenbacher of Brandon, Karl Dolenz of Kansas, Anna Stewart of Collierville, Tennessee, and Emilee Koshak of Mandeville, Louisiana.

Show performances are at 7 p.m. September 24-26 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday September 27. In addition, there are shows set for 7 p.m. on October 1-2 and 2 p.m. on October 3-4.

Ticket prices are $20 for adults, $15 for faculty/staff and senior citizens and $10 for students. Tickets are now on sale.

For more information, contact Dottie Serio of the MC Department of Music at 601-925-3440. Tickets can be purchased on-line at mc.edu/marketplace