Word is spreading throughout Westchester that Edgemont’s unusual production of the Stephen Sondeim musical “Into the Woods,” which opens tonight, is the hot ticket to get.
Lohud today features two photo spreads on the show — one a collection of twenty five photos of the all-student cast in full costume from various scenes in the show — and the other a second photo montage just on the set and costumes alone, under the headline, “Edgemont’s Cornell Connection Makes Sondheim a Page Turner.”
Of the four performances scheduled, two of them — Friday and Saturday night – are already just about sold out, which means tickets for those shows may not be available at the door. You will want to check ahead. However, tickets are still available for tonight’s show — a benefit for the Edgemont Scholarship Council — and also for Saturday’s matinee. Shows begin at 7 p.m. for the evening performances and at 1 p.m. for the matinee. Tickets are $20 for the benefit and $15 at all other times.
Edgemont’s production of “Into the Woods” differs from any prior production of the show on stage or screen because it was designed for Edgemont as a “concept” musical — set in a formal book lined library — where the stories and characters literally come out of the pages of the books.
An elaborately constructed set features more than 2,500 books donated to the show from area libraries. Many of the show’s costumes and props are also created from actual pages from the books. And while some area high schools spend tens of thousands of dollars on sets and costume design, Edgemont’s relatively modest show budget this year is no different from prior years, and pays for itself with ticket sales. It just looks like a lot of money was spent.
The show is being produced and directed by Danny K. Bernstein, a member of the Edgemont Class of 2010, whose production of last year’s Edgemont musical, “Urinetown,” won several awards. But this year Mr. Bernstein has brought with him to the show two of his Cornell friends, Nate Mattingly and Ellen Pyne, who together have designed the set and elaborate costumes. Ms. Pyne is an award winning fashion designer who designed the costumes for Mr. Bernstein’s productions of “Far from Canterbury,” which won best musical at last summer’s NYC International Fringe Festival.
To be absolutely sure you get a ticket, buy them online at http://ehs-into-the-woods.eventbrite.com.