Stage Write

Into the Woods begins as any good story should with Once Upon a Time. The famous musical reintroduces us to well-known fairy tale characters. We meet Cinderella, Jack (and his bean stalk), Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood at the beginning of their stories. The second half takes a look at a different ending for those we left with their “happily ever after.” These are not the sanitized fairy tales found in Disney films. They are instead a dark picture of what might have happened when the story book closed and our characters were left to settle into their chosen lives. Our main character is a mild-mannered Baker. He and his clever wife, Susie Harloff, are childless after being cursed by a local witch. She tells them they can cure their state by going on a quest and gathering four strange items. This journey leads the baker to cross paths with the other fairy tale characters. Harloff is great as his frustrated partner in crime, helping him achieve his goals behind the scenes. ...

Less than a month after the world tuned in to watch the British royal wedding, dubbed a "Cinderella story," Beef & Boards’ audiences can see the original Cinderella musical for themselves. This past weekend the theatre was filled with tiny princesses wearing crooked tiaras and bouncing in their seats with anticipation. Knowing their about to see a "real" princess is too exciting for words. The set is designed with a rotating centerpiece that becomes first a courtyard, then castle and finally a simple country home. Glowing turrets complete the fairy tale atmosphere and set the magical mood. The most interesting difference between this version of Cinderella and others is the casting of the step-sisters. Instead of women, two men are undertaking the roles. B&B’s regulars, Jeff Stockberger and Doug King, have been transformed into the hideous and hilarious step-sisters. At 6’ 5” (plus a huge wig) Stockberger towers over his fellow actors, while lots of extra pa...