A Journey ‘Into the Woods’ - Pacific Lutheran College’s 21st Anniversary Senior Production
Pacific Lutheran College is set to stage an enchanting and powerful production of ‘Into the Woods’, the iconic musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. This highly anticipated production will not only captivate audiences with its spell-binding score and imaginative story-telling but also mark an important milestone in Pacific’s theatre history – the 21st Anniversary of the Senior Production. With a talented cast of 34 students, a professional orchestra (led by the Pacific Music Department), and a dedicated production team, ‘Into the Woods’ promises to be a memorable experience for audience and cast alike.
Three-time Tony Award winner – ‘Into the Woods’, which premiered on Broadway in 1987, masterfully intertwines several beloved Brother’s Grimm fairytales. The central story follows a baker and his wife, who, cursed by a wicked witch, cannot have a child. In a bid to lift the curse, they must venture into the woods to collect four magical items from familiar fairytale characters: Cinderella, Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel. As each character seeks to fulfil their own desires, the baker and his wife face many challenges. As the story progresses, the narrative deepens dramatically, exploring more serious themes to do with power, mortality, and the consequences of our actions.
The process involved in staging a musical of this size is immense and at Pacific this extends from the initial auditions in the previous year to four months of solid rehearsals before the show is ready to take the stage in May. The dedicated cast, crew and creative team consists of staff, students and Alumni, whose experiences in past productions at Pacific inspire them to continue to be involved post-graduation.
Director and Producer of Senior Productions, Mrs Janine Delaney, has been fortunate over 21 productions, to see first-hand, the powerful transformation in students’ personal growth as they work collaboratively within a team and learn lifelong social skills that are applicable in many ways beyond the theatre environment.
“Performance skills are, of course, very important, as students are required to develop their song, dance and acting abilities. However, for me, it is witnessing students develop collaboration skills, self-confidence and a life-long love for theatre which is most rewarding”, Mrs Janine Delaney, Director and Producer of Senior Productions said. “The progression in a cast member’s confidence from day one of rehearsal to the first stage performance is exciting to behold.”
This 21st Anniversary Year celebrates Pacific’s artistic achievement over two decades within the College’s theatre program.
“Our productions alternate between plays and musicals to create opportunities for a wide range of students. This includes students who wish to concentrate on delivering powerful performances in plays such as ‘The Three Musketeers’, ‘Sense and Sensibility- Jane Austen Re-Wired’, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’, ‘Macbeth’ and ‘Dracula’, and those who wish to perform in musicals such as ‘West Side Story’, ‘Sideshow’, ‘Oklahoma’, ‘Grease’ and ‘Pippin’.” Mrs Janine Delaney.
Pacific Lutheran College encourages student choreographers to use their unique talents to develop movement and dance for our shows. Some of these students have gone on to attend professional institutions such as Patrick School of Dance (Melbourne) and WAAPA (Western Australian Academy for Performing Arts).
“We also encourage students to take on backstage roles, such as Follow-Spot Operator, Crew Member and Backstage Manager. Students in backstage roles have gone on to establish careers in the arts and music industries including working as sound technician for the ‘Pink’ stadium tour and another as lighting designer for the ‘Glastonbury Festival – UK’. Other performing arts Alumni are now continuing their careers at NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art), The Victorian College of the Arts, QUT Dance and Acting, WAAPA and Griffith Conservatorium of Music for Acting and Musical Theatre.” shares Mrs Delaney.
In this year’s production, the stunning set, costumes and lighting, brought to life by Stephen Sondheims’ magical Score, will have you enchanted and singing long after the storybook has closed!
‘Into the Woods’ a delightful feast of fairytale magic for the whole family!
SHOWTIMES: The Events Centre, Caloundra, Playhouse Theatre
Friday 23rd May – 11.45am and 7.00pm Shows
Saturday 24th May – 1.00pm and 7.00pm Shows
Tickets On Sale on Tuesday 22nd April 2025 - www.theeventscentre.com.au