Salmon River Drama Club presents "Into the Woods"

"And they lived happily ever after" is the ending that we have heard at the end of most fairy tales as we were growing up. What exactly does that mean? For most of us, we would assume that our heroes lived the rest of their lives in peaceful, prosperous kingdoms. No enemies, witches, giants, wicked stepmothers or bad spells cast upon them. They enjoy perfect health and untroublesome life.

The real questions are... what happens after Cinderella finds her Prince? What happens when Little Red Riding Hood has the wolf killed and when Jack discovers a land of wealth up the beanstalk? The Salmon River Drama Club will answer these questions and help you realize that 'happily ever after' has consequences, so be careful what you wish for.

The Salmon River Drama Club, under the direction of David Bish, is proud to present this year's musical production of "Into the Woods" on March 13 and 14, 2015 at 7:00pm both nights. Tickets will be sold at the door and prices are $6.00 per person or $26.00 for a family of five.

Director David Bish says that his goal is to tell a story about everything. "This is a story about relationships, family relationships, between parents, between parents and children. It's a show about life and it touches on so many themes, especially the importance of family. It is also about choices and making choices in your life. Every person in the audience will identify with one or even two of the characters, and that's what I love about this show."

Act I is where everything happens up to 'happily ever after'. The second half focuses on what happens after. "Act II is a very moving act," explains Mr. Bish. "Anyone who watches this show gets so much from the second Act. Act I moves extremely quickly, going from one thing to the other. It is about the mission and getting what each character needs to fulfill his/her destiny. Act II is about lessons and has moments where there is a pause and the audience can really reflect on what is being told in the story. It's a very powerful play and when people watch it they will be moved by it. It is a very deep show on so many levels. There are a lot of metaphors, but it's not over people's heads. People will relate because these kids do a beautiful job of performing. They are not holding anything back and they are very honest with their emotions. This is not a show that can be faked."

As with all Fairy Tales the witch is always the evil person. "What I like about this show is that the witch is not evil," states Mr. Bish. She is actually the smartest character in the show. She is the one who has seen and experienced the world. She is the most knowledgeable one on stage and is a strong, strong female character. I think a lot of people when they watch her, will see a lot of themselves in how strong and honest she is. Since she is so knowledgeable about the world, people don't want to hear her, and they write her off as a witch."

Senior Breanna Griffin plays the witch and feels that she is a very misunderstood character. "The witch has a good head on her shoulders. She doesn't pay attention to what's good or bad. She just knows what's right and what has to be done," states Breanna. "At first it was kind of difficult because the witch is a deep person, not one flat person that you can understand right away. I found ways to put some of myself and past experiences into the character. That helped me develop who she is and her emotions and understand why she does what she does."

Junior Shawn Brown, plays the character of the Baker. "The Baker and I are alike so it makes it easier to relate to him. I usually find a part of myself to put into each character that I play. I am very excited to perform this weekend and I can't wait to perform in front of an audience."

"My character is a feminist in my opinion," says senior Ciera Jock who plays the Baker's Wife. "She won't stay home and do nothing. She wants her wish to come true and she isn't going to let her husband tell her that she can't help." Ciera's favorite line is 'If you know what you want then you go and you find it and get it'. "I love that I can connect with my character."

Cinderella's Father is being played by senior James Miller. "I have a good part. It's funny and I got used to it after a while because my character is primarily drunk. My favorite line is 'the closer to the family, the closer to the wine'."

The cast includes Shawn Brown –Baker, Ciera Jock-Baker's wife, Jenna Clute-Cinderella, Chandler Shatraw-Jack, Breanna Griffin-Witch, Diondra Dyer-Jack's mother, Little Red Riding Hood-Chelsie Chamberlain, Tyler Durkee-Cinderella's Prince/Wolf, Hunter Durkee-Rapunzel's Prince, Katy Patnode-Granny, Adriana Reardon-Rapunzel/Cinderella's mother, Alyssa Maneely-Stepmother, Gina Seward-Lucinda, Sabrina Westurn-Florinda, Blake Square- Mysterious Man, Tatianna Figeruora-Rosa-Narrator, Kaitlin Griffin-Snow White, Morgan Arquette-Sleeping Beauty, Jeremy Hebert-Steward, James Miller-Cinderella's father, Alex Figeruora-Rosa-Footman, Megan Phillips-Giant.

The ensemble includes Kaitlin Griffin, Sarah Tremblay, Star Ostroski, Morgan Arquette and Madison Premo. Nicole Hart has kept things moving as the stage manager. She is helped by assistant stage managers Shawn Lavare, Hannah Oliver, Shannon Cree, Erika Reardon and Brittany Cassavaw.

This year's show was cast in early November and each actor was given a month to learn his/her part. Rehearsals began over December break, Monday-Friday from 3:15-5:15 and on Saturdays from 11:00 am-4:00 pm. The Salmon River High School Art Department, parent, community and alumni volunteers have stepped up to help out with the play to help with sets, costumes and makeup. Local businesses like Speedway and Twinleaf have donated food for rehearsals. CKON has helped with donations and Radio Bingo. The woods backdrops were loaned by the Foothills Art Society in Malone. "It is such a wonderful way to get the community involved," said Mr. Bish. "I couldn't have done it without my musical director, Mrs. Emily Robideau, who has done an amazing job with the students. I would also like to thank my volunteer assistant director, Katelyn Patnode.

"Into the Woods" is a huge undertaking and as Mr. Bish says "it's a bear". "This show is 65% sung and the music is some of the hardest music to learn. It is rhythmically one of the most challenging shows. You have to have smart singers and musicians in this show. That is why we chose this production this year. We have the kids to do it and I want these kids to make a very big statement".

"If you are a family you are going to love this show," promises Mr. Bish. "It's not Disney, it's based on the Grimm Fairy Tales and it's an amazing show. The kids are phenomenal and the community needs to come and see how amazing they are. They are taking such risks on stage in a very difficult acting and musically tough show. I'm getting out of these kids the best work I've ever gotten out of them. This is going to be the best show."

So if you have been hibernating this frigid winter and are experiencing cabin fever, this is a great time to get out and see your neighbors and friends while supporting the students. They have worked hard for the past three months to perfect their character and are excited to tell this story to their audience.

"There are a lot of seniors in the musical this year, and we are definitely going out with a bang," comments senior Ciera Jock.