- April 18, 2024
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Jadyn Koneski as "the bakers wife," Ashley Boscovich as "little red riding hood" and Ben Kuftic as "the baker" in the SHS American Musical Theater production of "Into the Woods." Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Jackie Myers plays "Cinderella" in the SHS American Musical Theater production of "Into the Woods." Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Derek Oathway as "Jack" with Cameron Beckett, who plays "Milky White" in the SHS American Musical Theater production of "Into the Woods." Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Derek Oathway as "Jack," Cameron Beckett as "Milky White" and Aeja Barrows as "Jack's mother" in the SHS American Musical Theater production of "Into the Woods." Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Jackie Myers as "Cinderella" and Lexi Ross as "Lucinda" in the SHS American Musical Theater production of "Into the Woods." Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Isabel Gallman narrates the SHS American Musical Theater production of "Into the Woods." Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Jadyn Koneski, as "the baker's wife," and Ben Kuftic, as "the baker," in the SHS American Musical Theater production of "Into the Woods." Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Crisi Simmons directs a rehearsal of the SHS American Musical Theater production of "Into the Woods." Photo by Jarleene Almenas
I wish.
These are the opening lines for Stephen Sondheim's 1986 musical "Into the Woods," and on Friday, Feb. 7, they will be the first lines spoken onstage at Seabreeze High School's auditorium.
SHS American Musical Theater group has been hard at work for the past few months learning the difficult show. "Into the Woods" features well-known fairytale characters who will eventually face the consequences of their actions, for better or for worse. Director Crisi Simmons described it as a dark and human show, and the 26-student cast has learned their roles and progressed their characters in a short amount of time.
“It’s been really fascinating to see how much effort and how much thought that they are putting into crafting these characters," Simmons said.
AMT has definitely had challenges putting this musical together along the way. Originally, Simmons was the production's choreographer. But when the first director moved to Texas, Simmons took over.
“It’s been a whirlwind, but the kids are awesome," Simmons said. "They really have stepped up in such amazing ways.”
For senior Jackie Myers, that meant diving into her character of Cinderella. It's a role she was excited about, though she'd never played a part like that. In last year's AMT production, "Shrek The Musical," she had played Pinocchio.
“I found a lot of myself in her, which I think helped me," Myers said.
This will be Myer's last show for her high school career, and from the beginning, she knew it had to be memorable.
“If we all want it as much as the person that wants it most, then we will succeed," Myers said. "And I think we’re starting to succeed and it’s starting to come together.”
Playing the part of the baker's wife is senior Jadyn Koneski. In the show, her character struggles with wanting a child despite the fact her husband was cursed with infertility by a witch. Aside from the fantasy, the show is relatable, Koneski said.
“We’ve really worked so hard and this group — we’re so tight and we would love for everyone to see it," Koneski said.
Senior Ben Kuftic, who plays the baker, agreed. The show is about want and sacrifice, he added. This will be his first role in a musical, and he said they want to show it to the . community.
"I want to show our rendition,” Kuftic said.
Musical Director Julia Hood said she's seen the students grow together as a team, and that the show has instilled a timely life lesson for them too.
“I think what this play does is to realize that we all have humanity and we all are trying to do the right thing," Hood said. "We may not make the best choices, but I think generally down in our hearts, people are good.”
