Community Players return to Into the Woods with mix of past and present performers
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
By Amanda Nelson
More than 30 years after first bringing Into the Woods to the stage, the Community Players of New Hamburg is returning to the beloved musical, this time blending seasoned volunteers with a new generation of local performers.
Performances run May 7-10 at the Trinity Theatre in the New Hamburg Community Centre.
First staged by the group in 1993, not long after the musical’s Broadway debut, Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine weaves together familiar fairy tales, including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Jack and the Beanstalk, all with humour, heart and a few unexpected twists along the way.
“We really want the story to tell itself,” said director Aaron Balzer. “It's a fantasy, it's fantastical, it's mystical, it's a fairy tale. I think that the story speaks for itself. We are doing some fun things, as far as effects, costumes, magic and sets. It’s going to be really immersive and magical. It'll really draw people in.”
This year’s production is directed by Balzer, who has been with The Community Players since 2004. This will be his fourth show with the group and his second musical. The production features a cast of 35, an orchestra of almost 20 musicians and a large team of volunteers working behind the scenes to bring the show to life.
“I started with The Community Players in 2004 when I was still in high school,” said Balzer. “I did my first show with them then, and then intermittently over the next number of years, when I was living back in the area, I would do shows with them, and then since 2017 I've been involved in some way ever since.”
Interest in the show was strong, with close to 100 people auditioning. The final cast and crew represent a wide cross-section of the community, from students and retirees to professionals in a variety of fields. Ages range from 10 to 68, with both experienced performers and many stepping on stage for the first time.
“This show really reflects the community it comes from,” said Balzer. “We have people who were part of this story over 30 years ago sharing the stage with performers who are just beginning. That mix brings a lot of energy, perspective and fun to the production.”
Among those returning is longtime company member Wendy Wagler, who played Rapunzel in the original 1993 production. She now steps into the role of Cinderella’s stepmother.
“What has really changed this time around is my age,” Wagler laughed. “What we can do with props and scenery and things like that is vastly different from the original performance as well. The original stage had about 200 chairs, so all of the action happened in about one-quarter of the size of the stage we have now.”
Wagler says she’s looking forward to continuing to work with the cast and crew to bring new life to Into the Woods.
“I don’t think anyone has been involved with Community Players as long as I have,” she said. “We have an amazing group of volunteers who have so much experience and have been part of a lot of shows over the years.”
The production also features emerging performers taking on lead roles including Jack, Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood, along with local flight attendant David Hohl, who returns to the stage as the Baker after time away from theatre.
Each spring, volunteers transform the old New Hamburg arena into a 600-plus-seat theatre, creating a unique and immersive performance space.
“Our volunteers mean everything,” said Balzer. “I have the vision in my head, but all of the volunteers are the ones who bring that vision to life through set, costume and props. Those people make the vision into magic on the stage.”
This production is closer to the original Brothers Grimm fairy tales and not quite the same as the Disney version. Due to its darker themes, the production is recommended for ages 10 and up.
Tickets are available at www.thecommunityplayers.com.
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