Published: April 21, 2007 05:55 pm      

DLO play presents message through music

'Into Woods' based on Grimm tales

DANVILLE — Fairy tales, especially those written by the Brothers Grimm, can be frightening for children. Some of their best-known stories, in unedited form — “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Rapunzel,” “Cinderella,” “Jack and the Beanstalk” — are the basis for “Into the Woods,” Danville Light Opera’s final musical of the season.

The result isn’t scary, though — it’s instructive for both children and adults.

Director David Woodrow considered the show’s medium and its message when he cast “Into the Woods.” Stephen Sondheim’s music and lyrics tell the story, Woodrow said.

“It’s more of a social statement than a musical,” he said. “I kept that in mind when I held auditions.

“For this show, I needed singers who could act, not actors who could sing.”

The performers who came to auditions surprised Woodrow.

“They were a younger group than I anticipated,” he said. “It never occurred to me to cast it that way.

“But the kids could sing.”

Teenagers make up most of the cast, which also includes a few adults.

One of them, Jan Marken, plays the mother of Jack (of beanstalk fame) in the show.

“I’ve always loved this show,” Marken said. “I’m so happy to commemorate my 30th anniversary with DLO this way.”

She has a bond with Dalton Halls, who plays her son Jack, which reaches back to her earlier years with DLO. Marken appeared in “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” with Halls’ mother, Erin.

“We needed a baby in the show,” Marken said, “and Erin brought Dalton.”

That baby, now a senior at Danville High School, doesn’t remember his debut performance, but there’s a long list of other roles that he does recall. His future plans include studying music education, but he’s also considering a stint in the Peace Corps.

He reflected about the theme of “Into the Woods,” particularly as it applies to young people.

“There are a lot of strong messages out there, some of them subliminal,” he said. “Children are affected by them more than adults.

“This shows how important it is to be aware of the consequences of your actions,” Halls said. “That also includes what you say to kids.”

“I’ve worked with the parents of many of the kids in this show,” Marken said. “People hear so many bad things about teenagers. They don’t apply to this group.”

Flyn Williams, a DHS sophomore, is another teen whose parents have a connection with Marken. Williams’ father Greg has worked with Marken in past DLO productions. Flyn reprises her role as the baker’s wife in “Into the Woods.” She first played the part as a North Ridge Middle School eighth-grader.

“I’ve grown up so much since then,” she said. “It’s easier for me to find the mother in me now.”

That difference in perspective struck Woodrow when he developed his concept for “Into the Woods.”

“My first decision was to have a young boy as the narrator in the first act,” he said. “That part of the story would be through the eyes of a child (Ben Lohrberg).

“Act Two is 10 years later. That same boy is the narrator, but he’s played by an older actor (Josh Bough). His perspective is more adult.

“The stories make more sense that way. Parents tell their children things will turn out fine,” Woodrow said. “That doesn’t always happen. I want people to go away getting the show’s message.”

Williams’ own, more adult perspective came through when she talked about her favorite song in the show.

“It comes at the end,” she said. “It’s so touching. The lyrics really make you think.

“Sometimes people leave you,” she said, “but they’re never really gone.”

IF YOU GO

Danville Light Opera will present “Into the Woods” at 7:30 p.m. April 28 and 2 p.m. April 29 at the Danville High School auditorium. Tickets are $16 for adults and $12 for students. Call 421-1660 for reservations.