Into the Woods kicks off HC Theatre season

Huntington, Ind. " Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine will serve as the kick-off theatre production for the 2002-03 performance year at Huntington College. The performance is scheduled to run October 11, 12, 17-19 in the Merillat Centre for the Arts Studio Theatre. Show times are set for 7:30 p.m., with the exception of Friday, October 18, when the curtain opens at 8:30 p.m.

Directed by Dr. Don Rainbow, the production allows the audience to relive an imaginative fairy-tale fantasy, with characters from the storybook past reminding us of our responsibility to each other. This modern classic of the musical theatre follows several familiar fairy-tale characters as they go through the process of discovering who they are and how they might grow up and overcome the eternal fear of being alone.

Dr. Rainbow, Professor of Theatre Arts at Huntington College, received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Prior to joining the faculty at Huntington College, he taught at Christian liberal arts colleges in Minnesota and South Dakota where he established outstanding theatre programs. Rainbow's summer touring shows have presented high-energy musical revues to audiences across the U.S., Europe and the Middle East. He spent his last sabbatical leave working as a background actor in Hollywood, performing in over 50 films and television shows. He occasionally takes groups of students to Hollywood during J-Term to study the film and television industry. Rainbow assisted the Christian Coalition in establishing the Los Angeles Film Studies Program. His special interest is the area of religion and theatre. He served for three years on the pastoral staff of a large church in southern California using theatre for worship and Christian education.

Nineteen cast members join the production staff and crew to produce the modern classic designed to entertain both young and old. To reserve tickets call the Merillat Centre Box Office at (260) 359-4261. Tickets go on sale Monday, September 30. Prices are $7 for adults and $5 for students. Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more. Reservations are advised. Reserved tickets will be forfeited 20 minutes after the start of the show.

Huntington College is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 60 academic concentrations. Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington College is located on a contemporary, lakeside campus in Huntington, Indiana.

The cast includes:

Narrator/Mysterious Man - Dave Blaser, a junior Theatre-Performance major from Indianapolis, Ind

Cinderella - Amber Patrick, a freshman Music-Performance major from Columbus, Ohio

Jack - Joshua Scott, a sophomore Theatre-Design major from Eagle, Wis.

Jack's Mother - Erin Bean, a sophomore Music-Choral Education major from Olivet, Mich.

Milky White - Scott Grinstead, a junior Theatre-Performance major from Dunbar, W.V.

Baker - Daniel Neil Olson, a sophomore Theatre-Performance major from Shullsburg, Wis.

Baker's Wife - Leah Coon, a senior English Education major from Sand Creek, Mich.

Cinderella's Stepmother - Lindsey Van Gelder, a senior English Education major from Berne, Ind.

Florinda - Kendra Brenneman, a sophomore Music major from Spencerville, Ohio

Lucinda - Mandy Bailey, a freshman Theatre-Performance major from Huntington, Ind.

Cinderella's Father - Justin Geiger, a junior Music major from Huntington, Ind.

Little Red Riding Hood - Laura Brautigam, a freshman Theatre-Performance major from Westfield, N.Y.

Witch - Natasha Gilgen, a senior Music major from Bluffton, Ind.

Cinderella's Mother - Connie Surface, a freshman Elementary Education major from Butler, Ind.

Granny - Sarah McCullough, a freshman Theatre-Performance major from Chambersburg, Pa.

Rapunzel - Katie Hultman, a senior Music major from Spring Arbor, Mich.

Rapunzel's Prince - Noah Varness, a sophomore Theatre-Performance major from Morris, Ill.

Cinderella's Prince/Wolf - Ashley Fox, a junior History major from Roanoke, Ind.

Steward - Drew Wutke, a sophomore Music-Choral Education major from Girard, Kan.

Students participating in the Production Staff and/or Construction and Run Crews include Kathy Thorn, Lynette Lambert, Evie White, Matt Chilcoat, Josh Scott, Sharon Voss, Nate Hawkins, Josh Gladura, Scott Grinstead, Adam Grill, Dave Olson, Sarah McCullough, Spencer Owen, Matt Pillar, Danielle Villafana, Josh Dawes, Elizabeth Swart, Jed Hutchison, Keiston Wirick, Ashley Tyler, and Jeff Blossom.