Oct. 2, 2019

Contact Matt Campbell at 608-796-3766 or mscampbell@viterbo.edu

VITERBO UNIVERSITY TO PRESENT INTO THE WOODS OCT. 11–13

LA CROSSE, Wis. – Viterbo University theatre and music theatre will present the Tony Award®-winning musical Into the Woods Friday, Oct. 11–Sunday, Oct. 13 in the Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre.

“Be careful what you wish for…” Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s whimsical musical follows the path of unlikely characters as they journey deep into the woods and search for their path out of darkness. Into the Woods is a widely popular musical about sacrifice, consequences, and the actions that can haunt us. The musical intertwines the plots of several fairy tales, exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests.

“Into the Woods is a crafted masterpiece of monumental proportion and a giant part of the American musical theatre cannon,” said Matt Campbell, the Viterbo faculty member who is directing the production. “There is so much that is humanistic about the play—people’s wants, needs, and the desire to fulfill them without always knowing what the consequences will be.”

Campbell is joined by fellow faculty member Nancy Allen, who is serving as the music director. Scenic design is by Kit Mayer, Patrick Strain is the guest lighting designer, and the costumes were designed by the late Jeff Stolz, a Viterbo faculty member who recently passed away. An in memoriam display of Stolz’s costume work will be available for viewing in the Fine Arts Center lobby during the run of the show. 

“The music is incredible and we have a tremendously talented cast,” Campbell said. “We have re-imagined the show so it will have new elements for people who have seen it before.”

Into the Woods won the Tony Award® for Best Score, Best Book, and Best Actress in a Musical in 1988. It was also the basis for the smash hit 2014 film of the same name featuring an all-star cast and was nominated for three academy awards.

Performance times are 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11–12 and 2 p.m. Oct. 13. An Artists in Conversation discussion will be held immediately following the Oct. 12 performance.

This performance is part of Viterbo University’s Bright Star Season and is sponsored by Mayo Clinic Health System. La Crosse Media Group and WKBT News 8 are the media sponsors. The hotel sponsor is Candlewood Suites.

Into the Woods features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. It was originally directed on Broadway by James Lapine with orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick.

This Viterbo University production of Into the Woods is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 423 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019. Tel: 212-541-4684, Fax: 212-397-4684, www.MTIShows.com.

Tickets are $24 for main floor, $21 for lower balcony, and $18 for upper balcony seating. For more information or to order tickets, contact the Viterbo box office at 608-796-3100 or visit www.viterbo.edu/tickets.

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