A preview performance tonight of the musical, "Into the Woods" will end the SF State department of theatre arts' spring season as well as three months of hard work for the more than 100 students and faculty members who have participated in the production.
"Into the Woods" is the story of a baker and his wife who yearn to have a baby. Unfortunately, a witch has placed a spell on them making them "barren." The only way for them to have a child, the witch informs them, is to retrieve a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn, a cow as white as milk and a slipper of gold.
Adapted into musical form by Stephen Sondheim from the book by James Lapine, "Into the Woods" unites fairytale characters like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (the kid with the beans), Rapunzel and an evil witch to create one story with several happy endings.
According to Jenny Chapman, publicity coordinator, a Sondheim musical is one of the most difficult to perform because students must not only learn the notes, but the unusual rhythms to which they are sung.
"Everybody in this play has to be a fairly accomplished singer," she said.
"In an academic situation, it's important to do musicals though because outside (of school) that's what people get paid for."
Although most of the actors and technicians had prior experience with SF State musical productions, they agreed that this play, co-directed by Dr. Yukihiro Goto (stage direction) and Professor Wes Kenney (musical direction), was one of the most difficult to pull off.
"You have to take off from your job, you have no social life and it's all for the love of theater," said Gina Seghi, a theatre arts major who did technical work for the production.
Auditions were held last semester for the two and a half hour play, and rehearsals began on the first day of spring semester classes.
According to Seghi, cast members and crew technicians have spent at least six hours a day, five days a week, since the end of January to prepare for tomorrow night's opening.
Students chosen to work on the play received four units and equivalency credit for the classes "Lyric Theatre Workshop" and "Play Production."
"This (production) is a little bit busier and more segregated than others," said Stage Manager Sara Lamnin about the organization of the technical crew. "There are people here to take care of (specific) things. Before it was, 'you're not doing anything, take care of this.'"
"It's fun to have people buy your shoes and tights and to have everything done for you," said theatre arts major Amanda Duarte, who plays Jack's mother.
"Into the Woods" runs May 5-7 and May 10-14 in SF State's Little Theatre. Wednesday through Saturday performances begin at 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m.
For more information call 338-1442.