By Jill Diver
Staff Writer

Parents have turned to a variety of fairy tales over the generations, largely in an effort to convey life lessons and values to young children.

So what happens when those lessons are melded together into one story, combining such classics as “Cinderella,” The Baker and The Baker’s Wife,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” and “Rapunzel”?

At Seacoast Repertory Theatre in Portsmouth, what happens is “Into The Woods,” a performance involving parts of a number of Grimm’s fairy tales and covering themes of growing up, responsibility, actions and consequences.

“Into The Woods” runs through Jan. 25 at the venue in the heart of the Port City.
In the performance, all the characters go into the woods for one reason or another: for a child, to sell a cow, and to go to grandmother’s house, for instance, explained Director Merrill Peiffer.

What they find in the woods is that life is not a fairy tale, she said.

“They all have a task and they get sidetracked when they get into the woods,” Peiffer said of the play with its score by Stephen Sondheim, who is widely known for his work on “West Side Story” and “Sweeney Todd,” among other shows.

“They start stealing and lying in order to get what they want; and lose sight of what they want and neglect what they have,” she continued.

With her cast of 17 young actors, all younger than 19, Peiffer said she has had two months to prepare for this show — but not with the whole group.

“We didn’t have the full cast until tech week — the week before we opened. We go into the theater and incorporate all sets, lights and costumes in the show,” she said.

“This is my second time directing. I’m a usually a performer and this has been such a wonderful experience,” she continued. “It has been one of my favorite shows. I’ve had a love for it ever since I’ve been in it.”

At a point in life when they have not experienced adult situations, actors such as Dominique Lessard, 17, as the Witch, Mallory Rinker, 19, as the Bakers Wife, and Randy Blake, 19, as the Baker, are challenged to remain open and willing to take direction about how their characters would feel and react.

 “Its been a great process, because they’re at great ages and are open to absorbing information and direction,” Peiffer said. “There is such a joy guiding them, because they are just so willing to go places and to want to really take a journey.”

These journeys include the loss of a child and the complicated dynamics of a prolonged relationship, Peiffer said.

“These are experiences beyond their years,” she pointed out. “They have had to work on character building and work on finding what it is to want and love something so much.”

With the youngest cast member being just 12 years old, maturity levels vary greatly among performers, Peiffer said.

“I’ve worked with a few cast members before,” she explained. “Some are in college. (But) even with their difference in ages, they have worked together so well — worked as a team.

It has been really great to watch.”

“Into The Woods” also takes a hard look at some difficult life lessons.

“There are consequences for people’s actions. And often times it’s hard to accept blame and to forgive and move on,” Peiffer said. “It’s part of life: We do things. We’re greedy, We lie. We steal. We all want things and we all put on the back burner what we need to.”

IF YOU GO:
What: “Into The Woods.”
Where: Seacoast Repertory Theatre, 125 Bow St., Portsmouth.
When: Through Monday, Jan. 25.
How: Tickets are  $18-$14. For tickets and show times call 433-4472 or visit www.seacoastrep.org.