Maggie Micklo, a member of Choir, Best Buddies, and Forensics, plays Little Red Riding Hood in the fall musical, “Into the Woods.” Micklo enjoys the theatre very much and had been the theatre productions last year, including The Sound of Music and Front. She says that when she found out she got the part of Little Red Riding Hood she was so excited and was “jumping up and down crying.” She mentioned how she likes her because she is young, innocent and sassy which reminded Micklo of herself. She enjoys having rehearsals with the entire cast and just being a part of a bigger picture.

     She said that it is difficult for her to balance her homework with rehearsals and as a result she is sometimes very tired. Despite the work it takes to put on the production, Micklo states, “Into the Woods” is a beautifully written and amazing production that all students should see.

       Nina Fox said, “I hope to major in Theatre Education in college.” Fox, who plays Cinderella, has been doing theatre all throughout her high school experience, performing in most of the school productions. She described how Cinderella in the play is not “some girl who comes to the ball in a pumpkin and has a fairy godmother” but is just a real girl with real problem who “just happens to be named Cinderella.”

       Fox said the music is extremely difficult so the cast must work extra hard in rehearsals and at home because the songs are so unpredictable. She is excited for a song she sings called “No One is Alone” which is a change of pace compared to the rest of the songs. Fox, a member of Forensics, Madrigals, and Choir, wants students to know that all types of audiences would enjoy the realistic and modern take on fairy tales that is Into the Woods.

      This year, Alex Gallo wanted to “go big or go home” and get a lead role instead of being in the ensemble as he had been in his sophomore and junior year productions. He was excited when he found out he had got the part of the Baker but at the same time found it hard to be super excited because of the all the people who did not get major parts because of the small size of the cast. He went on to say that getting such a big role was “a good validation” of him and his abilities. He liked the Baker because he is a very human character who goes through a lot of difficult obstacles throughout the story.

      Gallo said, “The script is amazing, but it is also a lot of hard work.” It has been hard for him to balance the musical rehearsals with school and varsity soccer when he will be at school until nine-thirty every night. He is excited to show off his hard work and impress his family and friends who will come see him perform. He wants everyone to come see Into the Woods because it is an amazing production.

      Kevin Rahtjen, who plays Jack in “Into the Woods,” has performed in “The Sound of Music,” “Rumors” and “Front.” He said he was happy when he found out he was Jack because he is a good character. He enjoys how, in order to portray Jack, he does not have to wear shoes. Also, Rahtjen explained how Jack’s experience of meeting the giant is similar to visiting colleges in his own life; he thinks college is great but is simultaneously scary and he wishes that he could live in between.

      Rahtjen stated that it is fun to be in rehearsals with everyone together which is one of his favorite parts about being in the musical. Also he is excited for his lead song called, “Giant in the Sky”. On the other hand, he went on to say that the song called “Your Fault” is very difficult because “it’s just really wordy and awkward.” Rahtjen, a member of the gymnastics team, band, Science Olympiad, and Forensics, said that Into the Woods has very fun music that everyone should come and hear.

      Junior Al Groppi has always been passionate about theatre. You may remember her from her numerous appearances in “The Sound of Music,” “Rumors,” “Front,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Midsummer Night’s Dream.” That is why when she heard this year’s musical was “Into the Woods,” she could not wait to audition. She said, “I was excited to see how our school would put it on.”

     Groppi received the part of the baker’s wife. “The baker’s wife is abstract, and she has layers,” she said “I was very curious to see how I would work with her.”

     Groppi has described her character as the most human along with the baker, played by Alex Gallo.

    Groppi has been very excited for the audience to experience the music because it is challenging but super fun to learn. However, she has been most excited for the audience to experience the second act. She said, “[The audience] comes for the fairy tales but they stay for the second act, where all the deaths come in. They do not expect all the grittiness and reality that comes with the second act.”

     Jenn Erl, a member of the forensics team and symphonic band, plays the witch in “Into the Woods.” She has always loved singing and acting. She said, “The musicals have been one of my favorite things I’ve done throughout high school. The cast is great to work with because we all love what we are doing.”

     Erl is extremely excited to have the role of the witch because “it is always interesting to play the role of the antagonist. Villains are very complex characters, and there is a lot more character development beneath the surface of what you would assume they are.”

     “Into the Woods” will be a very complex musical, Erl said. “The hardest part has been learning everything because there is so much material.”

     When asked if she is like the witch, she replied, “I hope I’m not like the witch…She’s crazy!”