Stephen Sondheim musical set for Sept. 11-13
Cast members rehearse a scene from Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods,” which the Nuremberg Community Players will present Sept. 11-13.
Submitted Photo
The Nuremberg Community Players unveiled the cast list for their upcoming production of Stephen Sondheim’s timeless musical masterpiece, “Into the Woods.”
Leading the audience through this tangled web of fractured fairy tales is Mike Hoover, who steps into the pivotal role of the Narrator. Hoover will serve as the production’s grounded anchor, guiding the audience into the heart of the forest.
The musical rests on the shoulders of the Baker and the Baker’s Wife, played by the talented duo of Jaiden LaRizzio and Kaylee Chyko. LaRizzio brings a desperate determination to the well-meaning Baker, while Chyko portrays his fiercely practical, deeply devoted wife. Together, they will drive the emotional core of the show as they seek to break a family curse.
That devastating curse, of course, was cast by the Witch, a powerhouse role tackled by Doreen Alderman. Alderman is set to command the stage, capturing both the terrifying, menacing wrath in Act 1 and the protective maternal instincts that surface later in the story.
The source of her initial wrath stems from a historical theft by the Baker’s father — a character known as the Mysterious Man, who is uniquely doubled by Chris Fulmer. Fulmer pulls double duty in this production, also portraying Cinderella’s often-absent and checked-out Father.
Cinderella herself will be brought to life by Lisa Yurcho. Yurcho’s Cinderella faces constant torment from a wicked trio: Becky Nenstiel steps into the role of the haughty, cruel Stepmother, flanked by Haidyn Sledjeski as Florinda and Luzdarys Mordan as Lucinda. Sledjeski and Mordan are sure to bring plenty of comedy to the stage as the self-absorbed stepsisters. Despite their cruelty, Cinderella finds solace in the memory of her late mother, played by Sabrina Tomaskovic.
On the other side of the woods, Natalie Moses takes on the trouser role of Jack, the naive, sweet-natured boy who loves his cow more than life itself. Moses will capture Jack’s wide-eyed innocence and sudden growth after his trip up the beanstalk. Striking a stark contrast to his innocence is Tori Dibble as Jack’s Mother, a weary, exasperated woman just trying to survive poverty.
The younger energy of the cast continues with Olivia Dudeck as Little Red Riding Hood. Dudeck brings a delightful blend of innocence to the iconic character. On her journey to visit her Granny — played with sharp wit by Lauren Miller — Little Red crosses paths with the ultimate predator. Adam Yurcho takes on the dual roles of the dangerously alluring Wolf, bringing a predatory charm to “Hello, Little Girl,” before returning to the stage later in the production to help flesh out the ensemble.
High above the forest floor in her doorless tower sings Rapunzel, played by Ava Badamo. Her long hair attracts the attention of Rapunzel’s Prince, played by Cyrus Shaw-Freeman, who imbues the younger brother with dramatic romanticism. Not to be outdone, AJ Miller steps into the boots of Cinderella’s Prince. Miller will bring a hilarious vanity to the charming but ultimately unfaithful royal, perfectly paired with Shaw-Freeman during their competitive duet, “Agony.”
Keeping the royal households running smoothly — or at least attempting to — is Darvin Mordan as the no-nonsense Steward, who looks out for royal interests at all costs. Finally, adding a delightful late-show surprise, Evelynn Jacob, who joins the fairy-tale landscape as Snow White.
Beyond the performances, production team members tease that audiences will be treated to a visual spectacle. The show features a colorful, elaborate design of shifting hues and lights, alongside surprise special effects that promise to bring the magic of the forest vividly to life. Furthermore, cutting-edge video graphics will be projected directly onto a full-stage scrim in front of the actors, wrapping the characters in a dynamic, living environment that blurs the line between fairy tale and reality.
The production will run at the Emerson Theater, 283 Hazle Street in Nuremberg, PA. Performances are scheduled for Friday, Sept. 11, and Saturday, Sept. 12th at 7 p.m., with a Sunday matinee on Sept. 13 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $15 for all seats.
Reservations can be made by calling toll-free at 1-877-718-7894, or patrons can choose their exact seats online with no additional processing fees by visiting nurembergcommunityplayers.seatyourself.biz/.
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