Newnan actors tackle Sondheim’s ‘Into the Woods’

What if all the favorite childhood fairy tales became one jumbled, mixed-up tale complete with music written by a Broadway genius?

That idea will come to life on a Newnan stage on Thursday, March 19, when the Newnan Theatre Company opens its run of Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods.”

Jack, of beanstalk fame, joins Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Prince Charming, a wicked witch, and a host of other fairy tale characters in this classic Sondheim musical.

“We were all very excited that NTC decided to reach for the stars,” said Director Jacob Demlow. “Many theatres refuse to try Sondheim’s work. It is not simple music to sing. Sondheim is known for the beauty of his complexity.”

The cast includes real life husband and wife Candler and Emily Budd as “Baker” and “Baker’s Wife,” who set the story in motion when they contact the Witch in hopes of breaking a dreaded curse so they can have a child.

Their mission becomes a quest to find four magical ingredients from the fairy tale universe: “cape as red as blood, cow as white as milk, hair as yellow as corn, and slipper as pure as gold.”

Taking on the role of the Witch, the central character of the show, is Sofia Siraj. “I’ve loved this musical for years,” she said with a smile. “I just can’t believe I am actually a part of it now.”

Dale Lyles, the unofficial godfather of Newnan Theatre, appears as several characters.

The show runs through March 29. Show times are 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are available online at www.newnantheatre.org or by calling 770-683-6282.