Directed by , assistant professor of at EMU, Into the Woods will be performed in the Main Stage Theater at 7:30 p.m. on April 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12, plus a 3 p.m. matinee on Sunday, April 6. The show will run approximately three hours with intermission.

Information regarding age-appropriateness for EMU events is available through the聽聽at 540-432-4360 or聽theater@emu.edu.

Into the Woods weaves together the main characters from fairy tales like Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, Cinderella and others.聽The story revolves around a childless baker and his wife on a quest to begin a family, and their interaction with a witch who has placed a curse on them.聽In a departure from the standard plot line, the musical explores the consequences of these characters’ wishes.

“Into the Woods is a sprawling story filled to the brim with complex characters and dark magic,” said Poole. “The story provides ample opportunities to push the limits of our imaginations as we explore innovative ways to stage complex theatrical moments. I want audiences to leave the theater feeling that they have had a visceral, engaging experience that transcends what they have felt while watching a film or other mediated form of entertainment.”

Reserved tickets are $15 for adults ($17 at the door) and $12 for seniors, non-EMU students and EMU faculty/staff ($14 at the door) and $6 for EMU students. Tickets are available through EMU鈥檚 box office: 540-432-4582, . Group rates are available.

Cast:

Rachelle Kratz, stage manager

Dylan Bomgardner, assistant stage manager

Sierra Comer, assistant stage manager

Hailey Holcomb, assistant stage manager

Hattie Berg, assistant director

Chris Parks, dramaturg

Bethany Chupp (sophomore)

Shannon Dove

Heather Evans (junior)

Andrew French

Dorothy Hershey (first-year)

Jeremiah Hines (first-year)

Caitlin Holsapple (sophomore)

Heidi Jablonski (senior)

Holly Jensen (junior)

Elisha Keener (junior)

Eric King (senior)

Jaclyn Kratz (sophomore)

Katie Miller (senior)

Ezrionna Prioleau (first-year)

Emily Shenk (junior)

Sarah Sutter (first-year)

Sam Swartzendruber (sophomore)

Isaac Tice (senior)

Robert Weaver (first-year)

Phil Yoder (junior)

Rebekah York (sophomore)

Andrea Andresakis, a stage director and choreographer from New York City, directs this .

鈥淎ndrea brings a rich background in theater, music and dance, working with both professional and student actors all over the country,鈥� says , EMU chair of .

of Arms and The Man are scheduled for: 7:30 p.m., April 5 and 6.

The play tells of a young woman who awaits the return of her heroic fianc茅 from war. A disheveled soldier from the other side sneaks into her bedroom, fleeing the fighting. Finding his simplicity more alluring than her fianc茅鈥檚 arrogant posturing, she wrestles with which man to choose while her servant makes her own play for one of the men.

Since the first performance of this play in 1894, theater critics have praised the way Shaw expressed the absurdity of highly romanticized patriotism and highly idealized love.

Andresakis says the play also reflects EMU鈥檚 social justice ideals of solving conflicts with words, not weapons: 鈥淲hile on this communal journey we ask ourselves, am I not like the chocolate soldier? Wouldn鈥檛 I rather carry chocolate in my pockets instead of weapons?鈥�

are $10 for adults ($12 at the door), and $8 for seniors and non-EMU students ($10 at the door). Tickets are available through the at 540-432-4582 or emu.edu/boxoffice. Group rates are available.

Information regarding age-appropriateness for EMU events is available through the at 540-432-4360 or theater@emu.edu.

Cast

Makayla Baker, a first-year student from Augusta, W.Va.

Hattie Berg, a sophomore from Yorktown, Va.

Gabriel Brunk, a 2012 graduate of EMU from Harrisonburg, Va.

Eric King, a junior from Harrisonburg, Va.

Andrew Mead, a first-year student from Sarasota, Fla.

Sean Solomon, a first-year student from Harleysville, Pa.

Isaac Tice, a junior from Salisbury, Pa.

Rebekah York, a first-year student from Bucharest, Romania