March 28-30 at Dickinson State University’s Dorothy Stickney Auditorium, the Badlands Opera Project presents Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s popular musical “Into the Woods”. Performances are at 7:00 pm Friday and Saturday and 2:00 pm on Sunday. Tickets are available at the door and are $20 for individuals and $50 for families. DSU students and staff get in free with a DSU ID. Directed by Dickinson-area native and DHS graduate Anthony Rohr, the Badlands Opera Project’s production of “Into the Woods” seeks to bring professional quality to this fan-favorite musical. The plot follows a cast of familiar storybook characters—from Jack and the Beanstalk to Cinderella to Little Red Riding Hood—from the beginning of their stories all the way to what happens after the standard “Happily Ever After” ending. -more-
Led by local favorites Cole Beck (Jack), Beth Hurt (Cinderella), Kayla Kilwein (The Witch), Daniel Parke (Baker), Anthony Rohr (Cinderella’s Prince), and Sonja Tinjum (Baker’s Wife); it also features local veterans Cheryl Hewson (Jack’s Mother/Giantess), Jesse Kilwein (Narrator), and Karen Wagner (Granny); emerging artists William Hansard (Mysterious Man/Cinderella’s Father), Daniel Paluck (Rapunzel’s Prince), and Keira Rambousek (Rapunzel); new faces Maegan Fox (Lucinda), Autumn Martin-Geerts (Snow White/Milky White), Katarina Messmer (Wolf/Steward), and Maci Wehri (Florinda); child actors Molly Ellerkamp (Little Red Riding Hood) and Zoey Hagerott (Narrator’s Child)—both former Badlands Opera Project summer campers; and one guest artist from the twin cities, Elizabeth Pack (Stepmother/Cinderella’s Mother). Of this cast, Badlands Opera Project Executive Director Kayla Kilwein said, “As both Executive Director and a performer in the show, I’m especially excited to bring this production to our community and share the stage with such incredible local talent.” In a similar vein, show director Anthony Rohr commented, “The Dickinson community will be filled with pride by the tremendous display of local talent. Over twenty-five actors, designers, and crew members who call this region home have put together a production that’s positively sure to entertain. Their work… has been an inspiration to direct and perform alongside.”
About Badlands Opera Project
The Badlands Opera Project seeks to bring professional opera and vocal music to the communities of Southwestern North Dakota through performance, educational outreach, and the cultivation of local and emerging artists. We host classic favorites and world premieres and span the genres of opera and musical theatre. Learn more at badlandsopera.org Join us for the performance, and see what happens when you get your wish!