By Lily Osgan
The Greenwich High School theater department prepares for their upcoming performance of Into The Woods. The Performing Arts Center (or PAC) stage is decorated with a detailed, whimsical set.
This upcoming musical is not only important because it is a grand performance, but it is also the first time in two years that the spring musical will be performed in the PAC since the pandemic took hold.
In fact, last year the theater department performed Bye Bye Birdie outdoors outdoors in the south parking lot.
For many students, it is the first time they get to perform using this auditorium, and for seniors, it is only their second time and will be their last.
As dance captain Ava Nicoletti said, “I feel really sentimental because the last time we were in here was freshman year, so I keep having little flashbacks. It’s all very fun and emotional.”
The excitement regarding the return to the PAC was tangible, and Joelle Jensen, who plays the witch, added, “It’s very nice being back in the PAC, it’s such a beautiful auditorium that we are privileged to have. Everything is just incredible – the pit sounds amazing, and the set is beautiful. So many talented people are working on this.”
The play itself is one that holds weight regarding the state of the modern world, as musical director Patricia Cirigliano said, “I love this musical because it really reflects issues that can be seen in our current time concerning isolation, community support, and acceptance. Coming out of a pandemic, especially, where people have felt disconnected, the theme of mental health is really important to encourage people to get help when they need it.”
Stage crew member Erin elaborated on the allure of Into The Woods: “It’s cool because the whole show is a bunch of cameos; it’s such an interesting plot, and it’s fun seeing the plot and different pieces come together from the side.”
As put by stage manager Luiza Bailey, “I’ve never been in a room that was so boiling hot while having so much fun.”
Student director Katie Jensen talked about how the musical unites students in an emotional commitment to theater arts: “This show is an excellent bonding experience where I get to learn from so many talented people so that I can improve as a performer and an individual.”
The Greenwich High School Theater Arts Department presents INTO THE WOODS in the Greenwich High School Performing Arts Center from May 19 through May 21, 2022 at 7:00 pm each night. All tickets are $20.00 and can purchased online: https://tinyurl.com/GHSIntoTheWoods
Into the Woods
Directed by Patty Cirigliano
Musical Direction by Matt Tracey
Technical Direction by Scott Borowka
Narrator: Bryn Kummell
Cinderella: Colleen Salvate
Jack: Christopher Messis
Milky White: Katharine Jensen
Baker: Jack Glass
Baker’s Wife: Maggie Polistina
Step Mother: CiCi Fischer
Florinda: Mia Cernigliaro
Lucinda: Emma Goddard
Cinderella’s Father: Bernie Gaeta
Jack’s Mother: Alexis Killeen
Little Red: Stella Frankel
Witch: Joelle Singer Jensen
Cinderella’s Mother: Preston Merritt
Mysterious Man: Ethan Cooper
Wolf: Ben Walker
Rapunzel: Brooke Hadden
Rapunzel’s Prince: Benjamin Cooper
Granny: Kate Marchetti
Cinderella’s Prince: Luke Merrill
Steward: Zach Libow
Giant’s Wife: Phebe Fabacher
Snow White: Gabriella Vilas Boas
Sleeping Beauty: Michelle Ferrone
Black and White Cow: Kade Slusarz
Student Director: Katharine Jensen
Dance Captains: Ava Nicoletti, Destiny Gee
Voice Captains: Bryn Kummell, Stella Frankel
Story Book Ensemble
Doc: Cara Anderson
Tin Man: Emily Lewis
Scarecrow: Jelly Bisgani
Sneezy: Anne Bologna
Sleepy: Imogen Buck
Lion: Maeve Carey
Bashful: Carly Cernigliaro
Grumpy: Layla Rodriquez
Blue Fairy: Brooke Cumberland
Dopey: Kathryn Curtin
Peter Pan: Alex Evans
Happy: Sebastian Ojeda
Straw Little Pig: Averi Geary
Pink Fairy: Destiny Gee
Purple Fairy: Beatrice Healy
Tinkerbell: Erin McKay
Queen of Hearts: Alyssa Inness
Robin Hood: Jake Klein
Maid Marion: Abigail White
Bricks Little Pig: Ericka Ornopia
Sticks Little Pig: Kyle Roy
Belle: Annabelle Edgell
Beast: Steven Csak
Dorothy: Natasha Quirk
Captain Hook: JP Robledo
Alice in Wonderland: Clara Maclean
Little Bo Peep: Lydia Wang
Sheep: Caitlin Tice
Photo: Mary Kate Hogan
