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Directed by Jeremy Winchester, assistant professor of theater at MCLA, the show explores what happens after the "happily ever after" in the intertwined stories of several traditional fairy tales.

MCLA Presents 'Into the Woods'

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts' 2017-18 theater season, "We the People," will culminate with the theater program's adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's "Into the Woods," which will open on Friday, April 20.

Performances will take place at 8 p.m. on April 20, 21, 27 and 28, with matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, and Sunday, April 29, in Venable Theater on the MCLA campus. A talkback will take place after the 8 p.m. show on Saturday, April 28. For more information or to reserve tickets, call the box office at 413-662-5123 or go online.

Directed by Jeremy Winchester, assistant professor of theater at MCLA, the show explores what happens after the "happily ever after" in the intertwined stories of several traditional fairy tales.

"How do we square the thing we thought we wanted with the daily reality of it? Princes are rich and handsome, but rich and handsome doesn't guarantee kindness and love," Winchester said.


"Into the Woods" also will look at conflict between generations, and the power of banding together across age groups to strike down adversity. Senior Alex Sasso, the production’s assistant director, said, "It's about things not being clear cut or simple to answer, the greater good versus personal need, and trying to do the right thing anyway."

The show applies the cross-generational theme from the script into the actual production. "Into the Woods" features several student designers who work together with their professors. This theme also extends directly onto the stage with Associate Professor of Theater Laura Standley, who portrays the Witch, and Dance Minor Coordinator Tom Truss III, who portrays the Narrator/Mysterious Man, alongside the student cast.

MCLA Theatre's production of "Into the Woods" also emphasizes togetherness in the face of hardship.  Sondheim wrote this piece 30 years ago when the AIDS epidemic was at its peak.

"They didn't know what would happen or which loved one would be taken next. Society had just begun – barely – to accept gay people as deserving members of society," Winchester said. "By banding together, we found ways to navigate those difficult times and challenges. We now face new challenges – emboldened racism, creeping fascism, and rampant greed and corruption."


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Macksey Updates on Eagle Street Demo and Myriad City Projects

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

The back of Moderne Studio in late January. The mayor said the city had begun planning for its removal if the owner could not address the problems. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Moderne Studio building is coming down brick by brick on Eagle Street on the city's dime. 
 
Concerns over the failing structure's proximity to its neighbor — just a few feet — means the demolition underway is taking far longer than usual. It's also been delayed somewhat because of recent high winds and weather. 
 
The city had been making plans for the demolition a month ago because of the deterioration of the building, Mayor Jennifer Macksey told the City Council on Tuesday. The project was accelerated after the back of the 150-year-old structure collapsed on March 5
 
Initial estimates for demolition had been $190,000 to $210,000 and included asbestos removal. Those concerns have since been set aside after testing and the mayor believes that the demolition will be lower because it is not a hazardous site.
 
"We also had a lot of contractors who came to look at it for us to not want to touch it because of the proximity to the next building," she said. "Unfortunately time ran out on that property and we did have the building failure. 
 
"And it's an unfortunate situation. I think most of us who have lived here our whole lives and had our pictures taken there and remember being in the window so, you know, we were really hoping the building could be safe."
 
Macksey said the city had tried working with the owner, who could not find a contractor to demolish the building, "so we found one for him."
 
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