When patrons walk through the doors of the Auburn Theatre for Silver Spotlight Theatre’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into The Woods, they will notice something radically different about the show’s staging. Eschewing the traditional rows of seats and proscenium staging, the production uses a theatre-in-the-round approach that immerses the audience in the action.
Director Rick Smith says this approach provides a more intimate setting for audiences and lets them experience the show from a different angle, literally and figuratively.
“I am always looking for a new take on a show that is familiar to audiences. I tried in-the-round with the 2018 production of Hello Dolly which received numerous compliments. With a story-telling show like this, I want to capture the audience’s attention and draw them into the stories,” says Smith. “In-the-round staging provides the performers and designers opportunities to learn new ways to perform and tell the story. It is an interesting way to tell and witness this Sondheim classic musical.”
In his role as the show’s Stage Manager, Cameron Johnston is the central hub through which all information for the show passes. He communicates with every department and knows every technical detail about the production.
“When you are up in the booth calling a show, you’re focusing on what is happening in each quadrant of the stage, every moment of the show. But when a show is being done in-the-round, not only do you have to be more focused than usual because the cast is more active on stage, but you are seeing the audience’s reactions as well. The Stage Manager doesn’t see that when doing a show with proscenium staging,” says Johnston. “The Assistant Stage Managers are busier too because there is so much happening both on- and off-stage, and that action can be very close to the specific entrance or exit points where they are working. It’s challenging but also exhilarating. Kind of like driving on the 401 across the top of Toronto.”
Into The Woods is a playful and enchanting yet perilous woodland adventure that follows some of the Brothers Grimm’s most beloved fairytale characters like Cinderella, Jack, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, a wolf, a giant, and even a handsome prince or two, as they search for their wishes. Their stories collide in the woods where things do not always appear as they seem.
The play opens at the Auburn Theatre on November 21 and continues until December 1, 2024. Tickets are available at www.grandtheatre.com/event/mtp-woods
Co-founded by Art Fidler and Rick Smith in 2022, Silver Spotlight Theatre is a branch of London’s Musical Theatre Productions. It features and is produced by performers and staff 55+ with a mission of presenting full-scale Broadway musicals. Its two previous shows, Babes In Arms (2023) and Grease (2024) played to Sold Out houses.
Into The Woods Is presented through a special Music Theatre International (MTI) arrangement. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.www.mtishows.com.
Media Inquiries: Richard Young, Into The Woods Publicity & Program Head, 519-432-6986, richardyoung51@rogers.com
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