KENNEBUNK — Stephen Sondheim’s Tony-Award-winning musical “Into the Woods” will be presented by the Kennebunk High School’s Performing Arts Department from March 22 to March 29.

Winner of three Tony Awards during its first Broadway opening in 1987 with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, “Into the Woods” is a fractured fairy tale in which characters including Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Jack and the Beanstalk collide and find out “happily ever after” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

“Into The Woods” opens Friday, March 22 at the Kennebunk High School Performing Arts Center at 89 Fletcher St.  and showings are scheduled for two weekends. Performances on March 22, 23, 29, and 30 start at 7 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinées on Sunday, March 24 and Sunday, March 31.

The production will feature a sensory-friendly performance of Act I on Sunday, March 24, at 2 p.m., with a meet-and-greet with the characters scheduled for immediately afterward. This performance will be modified to ensure a welcoming, supportive environment for individuals on the Autism spectrum, or with other developmental differences or sensory needs, and their families. It will run about an hour and 15 minutes and will include a session to meet the characters in costume directly thereafter. Modifications could include lessened/softer sound and lighting effects, reduced orchestration (piano only), a “relaxed” environment allowing for movement of audience members, a “break space” for those who need to step away from the performance and special education staff available to support if needed.

The “Into the Woods” production represents the collaborative efforts of not only Kennebunk High students featured in the cast and crew, but also KHS STEM students, who are spearheading the creation of specialized props. Art students as well as students in the KHS Alternative Education and Special Education programs are also showcasing their skill and creativity in their contributions to the musical.

The cast features: Nels Faul (Narrator / Mysterious Man), Curtis Morgan (Jack), Sophia Hines (Cinderella), Sam Vaccaro (Baker), Margaret Russell (Baker’s Wife), Bella Hammond (Witch), Lily McMahon (Little Red Ridinghood), Riley Cerabona (Jack’s Mother), Zach Macisso (Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf), Ginny Crimp (Rapunzel), Nicole Bilodeau (Granny / Cinderella’s Mother / Giant), Mae McDougald (Cinderella’s Stepmother), Sydney Dumas (Florinda), Finley Fairfield (Lucinda), Duncan Girard (Cinderella’s Father), Sarah Durham (Snow White), Maggie Nelson (Sleeping Beauty), Annika Barstow (Ensemble/Tinkerbell), Elaina Hammond (Ensemble/Pinocchio), Jasmine Hostetter (Ensemble/Ariel), Mackenzie Howard (Ensemble/Belle), Maiea Naber (Ensemble/Gretel), and Lauren Poulin (Ensemble/Hansel).

The production is directed by Marianne Pillsbury with Musical Direction by Jesse Wakeman. Maggie Hebert (Assistant Director), Riley Cerabona (2nd Assistant Director). Brendan Rynne is the Stage Manager, along with Assistant Stage Manager Maya Eichorn. Joining them are Lighting Designer and Director Everett Beals, Sound and Special Effects Director Nate Durham, Choreographers Sarah Durham and Elaina Hammond, Set Designers Abby Lemieux & Thomas Johns, Prop Designer Annabel Doane, Costume Designers Corrina Rec and Maggie Nelson, Hair and Make-up Designer Sophia Ewy, Set Construction Experts Grant Kull and Mr. Lewia, Spotlight Operators Ethan Leonard and Nick Quigley, and many other talented individuals working behind the scenes.

Tickets for performances can be purchased for 10$ for adults and 5$ for students, seniors and children at https://kpac.booktix.com or at the door for cash only. For questions about ticketing, please email kpac.intothewoods@gmail.com.

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