Marin Summer Theater opens its 2015 season with the Stephen Sondheim musical INTO THE WOODS on June 25, 26, 27, 28, & July 2, 3, 5 at the Emily Gates Student Center at San Marin High School in Novato.
You might have seen the movie, or you might have seen the show on stage. You have probably not seen INTO THE WOODS like this. MST's INTO THE WOODS is based on the Olivier Award winning Regent Park production. In this version, the show begins with a young boy running away from home and a family trauma. Sleeping bag in tow, he becomes the play's narrator. The characters he invents begin as reflections of the lad's own anxieties but then become uncontrollable forces in their own right. "Having a young boy tell the story rather than a detached narrator makes the show more immediate, urgent and ultimately more touching," said director Pat Nims.
The boy's story follows a Baker and his wife, who wish to have a child, Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King's Festival, and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch's curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone's wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results.
In addition to INTO THE WOODS, MST will present DEFYING GRAVITY: THE BEST OF STEPHEN SCHWARTZ (beginning July 9th at Novato High School) and IN THE HEIGHTS (beginning July 23 at San Marin High School). DEFYING GRAVITY: THE BEST OF STEPHEN SCHWARTZ is a musical review showcasing the work of the popular composer of WICKED, PIPPIN, GODSPELL, POCAHONTAS, and many more. IN THE HEIGHTS, written and composed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, was nominated for 13 Tony awards in 2008, winning Best Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Choreography.
Now in its seventh season, Marin Summer Theater has received nineteen BroadwayWorld SF Awards and eight National Youth in Arts awards. Ticket prices start at $7.50 for Thursday performances and $15 for other performances. Tickets, schedules and more information about MST can be found at www.marinsummertheater.org.
Marin Summer Theater is a non-profit theater company for students of performing arts between the ages of 13 and 23. MST's mission is threefold: To present exciting, professional quality drama, musical theater and musical revue productions; to keep tuition as low as possible so that cost is not a barrier to participation; and to create a diverse company of college and high school students.
(Photos by Jim Gratiot)