Hunting Hills brings classic fairy tales to life with Into the Woods

Students at Hunting Hills High School are set to transport audiences into the enchanting and mysterious world of Brothers Grimm as they stage Into the Woods next month.

Shows run March 5-7 on the Red Deer Polytechnic Arts Centre Mainstage.

Into the Woods invites audiences to travel the winding paths of classic Brothers Grimm fairytale characters as they work to make their wishes come true. When Jack, Little Red, Cinderella, and the Bakers realize that their wishes may come at a price, their journeys become complicated by hungry wolves, conniving witches, and tests of trust and confidence. It’s a story for all ages to get lost in, underscored by some of musical theatre’s greatest songs; there’s something for everyone to enjoy, learn, and sing-along to.

“The show brings familiar characters into unexpected situations,” said Piper Rempel, Teacher at Hunting Hills. “Fairy tales are meant to teach us lessons - whether it’s the baker and his wife wanting to build a family, and grow their relationship, or Red wanting to be independent and go out on her own.”

The production showcases the talents of about 75 Grade 9-12 students, spanning roles in acting, music, and technical production. This year, a notable number of Grade 9 students have joined the team, adding fresh energy to the performance.

“They bring a sense of excitement and a new dynamic to the stage,” said Taryn Martinek, Teacher at Hunting Hills.

Into the Woods is renowned in the theatre world as a complex and demanding show, but that only raised the excitement amongst the cast once they learned it would be this year’s production.

“Musically it’s incredibly technical,” said Piper. “The fact that our music students can play it, our technical students can build it, and our actors can perform it - it’s truly remarkable and a testament to their dedication. We knew we had a talented group this year, and this show was the perfect challenge for them.”

The production has been a long-time dream for students, who were thrilled to hear that this was the year it would finally happen. Since rehearsals began in the fall, they have dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to bringing the show to life.

“On average, the band is practicing five to six hours a week together, in addition to individual practice at home,” said Amanda Fitch, Band Teacher at Hunting Hills. “The music is levels above what high school students typically play - it’s Broadway-level. The cast is just as committed, spending countless hours perfecting their performances, and our tech students are tackling challenges they’ve never attempted before. All of our students are really dedicating themselves to this production. It’s going to be a really great show, and we can’t wait to share it with the community.”

The show is recommended for ages eight and up, for some intense fantasy situations. To purchase tickets, click here.