In anticipation of this month’s anniversary production of Into the Woods, we present a look back at CCM’s 1991 production of Into the Woods, the show that celebrated the initial creation of CCM’s endowed chair of Musical Theatre.
CCM Musical Theatre is the oldest program of its kind in the country. Established in 1969, the innovative program was used by the National Association of Schools of Theatre in formulating the guidelines for accreditation of musical theatre programs nationwide.
Likewise, at the time of its inception in 1991, the Patricia A. Corbett Distinguished Chair of Musical Theatre was the only academic chair of its kind in the United States, the American equivalent of the Chair in Musical Theatre endowed by Cameron Macintosh in honor of Stephen Sondheim at Oxford one year later.
CCM’s original production of Into the Woods was directed by Aubrey Berg, with sets by Paul Shortt, costumes by Dean Mogle and lighting by Jim Gage. “It’s always fun to revisit a musical that one has done before, especially in a new venue and with an entirely different scenic concept,” explains Berg. “When we first produced the show at CCM, it was brand new. Now it is one of Sondheim’s most produced and beloved musicals.”
“Our approach to the show today is rather different than the previous production. In place of a fairytale forest, there is a toy theatre rendered in the style of British illustrator Ronald Searle – look for the whimsical cats – and if the audience gets the sense that a Giant is loose on the UC campus, so much the better.”
Learn more about CCM’s anniversary presentation of Into the Woods here.
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You mentioned the creative forces behind the show but who was musical director? Choreographer? I should think they deserve mention too! Thank you.
Sure thing, Gregoire! CCM’s 1991 production of INTO THE WOODS featured Musical Direction by Terry LaBolt, Choreography by Diane Lala, Make-up and Wigs by Lenna Kaleva and Sound by George C. Smith!