ACTS Theatre Putting on “Into the Woods” this Weekend

The Lake Charles ACTS Theatre will put on its second week of performances of the Steven Sondheim musical “Into the Woods,” this weekend.  The classic musical is a retelling of five fairytales which in the end intersect; resulting in a show which director Damien Thibodeaux says that “kids and adults love.”

The show made its debut at the ACTS Theatre last weekend and will be performed for the last times on June 8 and 9, 2012 at 7:30 p.m., and for a matinee performance on June 10, 2012 at 3 p.m.  Tickets are $25 dollars for adults, and $15 for children and students (with valid ID), and can be purchased at The Lake Charles Civic Center, the Lakeshore Medic Pharmacy, Moss Bluff Florist & Gifts, or online with a major credit card.

Director Damian Thibodeaux believes the tickets are worth the price of admission, as it’s a show being performed in a different way than is the norm for ACTS Theatre.  He said, “The cast sings for 85% of the show, and they will be accompanied with live music [in the form of two pianists] which ACTS hasn’t used in about 30 years.  It makes for a scaled down, and intimate performance.”

A guest director at ACTS Theatre, Thibodeaux is directing a book musical for the first time, and says that so far his experience has been an exciting one.  On the sheer amount of talent in the show’s cast, he said, “We have some really strong singers show up for auditions, because everyone loves Sondheim and wanted to be involved. They’re incredible, and I’m not just saying that because I’m the director.”

The stage will be set sparsely with its main focal point being that of a large tree which becomes different things based on which fairytale is currently being told; the fairytales being told include Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Rapunzel.

The story ends teaches an important lesson (which I won’t spoil here) which kids and adults alike seem to love.  Thibodeaux said, “The feedback so far has been great, and we just want more people to come and experience it.”