Published: July 08, 2008 10:45 am            

‘Into the Woods’ takes famous fairy tales one step further

SELLERSBURG — Teri Lynn Bullock has acted since she was in high school back in 1979.

Even then, she didn’t play the lead.

But now she is standing on stage, singing and acting as Cinderella’s stepmother in the upcoming production of “Into the Woods.” When Bullock’s son heard the Kandel Theatre Co. was hosting open auditions for people in the area, he asked his mom to try.

“He believed in me, so I tried out,” she said, smiling as she watched her son work on blocking with other actors on stage. “He was more excited I got a part than him getting a part.”

Jason Roseberry — who heads the theater company along with his wife — is leaving his position as the theater director at Silver Creek High School in Sellersburg for an assistant-principal position at Scottsburg Middle School.

To stay active in theater, Roseberry decided to revitalize the theater company, which had not done a production in three years. He said he had always wanted to do this award-winning show, but had never gotten around to it.

The play shows the traditional fairy-tale characters going through their stories to reach their “happily ever after.” The second part of the play explores what happens after that point, such as what do you do with a dead giant in the backyard, as the case is with “Jack and the Beanstalk.”

Auditions were open to all who wanted to try out. Actors range in age from 16 to 54.

“It’s so cool we have brought so many people together from so many different worlds,” Roseberry said as he looked around at the cast and crew of about 25.

About six high school students — from Floyd Central and Silver Creek high schools — are represented, and the same with college students. The rest are adults from the area. All actors are volunteering their time for the play.

Amy Harpenau is one of the college students who is taking time out of her summer to perform. The 19-year-old Ball State University student and Floyd Central High School graduate is playing Little Red Riding Hood, a role she has always wanted to play.

The musical theater major said she is used to performing with those around her age, but not adults.

“Working with adults is a real treat,” she said. “They are always bringing something new to the table. I’m learning so much from working with them.”

For others, this is a way to kill some time.

“I really like theater and I had nothing to do with my summer, and this gives me something productive to do,” said Jennifer Broadus, who just graduated from Silver Creek this year and will start at Indiana University Southeast in the fall. “It keeps me out of trouble.”

The group has been practicing since around Memorial Day. Opening weekend starts Friday.

Bullock trumpeted the production with a bold statement.

“Each character here is as good if not better than those in the Broadway play,” she said.

Roseberry said the audience will be in for a surprise.

“People are going to be amazed with how good the show is,” he said.

Kandel Theatre Co. is a nonprofit organization. A portion of the show’s profits will go to benefit Silver Creek High School.

        

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