THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 24, 1996 TAG: 9609240302
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: 52 lines
It's a first: Rumpelstiltskin and Rapunzel, Cinderella and her family, and Jack of beanstalk fame are together.
They all live in the same forest.
That is the fairytale gospel according to Stephen Sondheim, who wrote ``Into the Woods,'' the Encore Theatre presentation opening this week and continuing through Oct. 12.
It is a play designed to keep all age groups happy.
``Adults will like the commentary on modern life. Kids will like the variety of characters,'' said Mary Cherry, director of the opus. ``There's some burlesque-type comedy, some silliness.''
And there is music, including ``Children Will Listen,'' which Streisand fans listened to a couple of years ago.
``Into the Woods'' shows what might happen after they live happily ever after,'' Cherry said. ``The first half of the play is as expected. The second half is full of surprises.''
No surprise to those who may have caught the production five years ago when it was broadcast on PBS. The stars were Bernadette Peters and Joanna Gleason.
The Elizabeth City stars are a mix of familiar faces and some stage newcomers.
``This is probably the largest cast we've had in this little theater - 18 people,'' Cherry said. ``Technically, it's the most complicated show we've done. All the entrances are from different parts of the theater. The lighting and the sound effects are the most complicated. Special effects include an on-stage transformation.''
To say any more would be to spoil some of the surprises. Besides, Cherry said, ``it's such a hard show to explain.''
It is the only family-oriented show penned by Sondheim, who is best known for ``Sweeney Todd,'' ``Side By Side By Sondheim,'' and ``A Funny Thing Happened On the Way To the Forum.''
Funny is the key word for ``Into the Woods.'' ILLUSTRATION: GRAPHIC
THEATER PREVIEW
WHAT: The Encore Theatre Co. of Elizabeth City presents ``Into
the Woods'' - a modern fairytale musical.
WHEN: 8 p.m. Sept. 27, 28, Oct. 4, 5, 11, 12; and 3 p.m. Oct. 6.
WHERE: Main Street Stage - Pasquotank Arts Council Loft, 609 East
Main St.
Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and students. They are
available at Mail Boxes Etc., Port Elizabeth Centre or 502-B East
Colonial Ave. For details and reservations call 338-3382.
For dinner at Mulligan's Waterfront Grille, plus the performance,
the cost is $20. For tickets call 331-2431. by CNB