ESU Theatre Department to Present Into the Woods

East Stroudsburg University’s Department of Theatre will present Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s beloved musical Into the Woods. The cast of students, directed by Jason Narvy, Ph.D., will welcome audiences Thursday, March 26 through Sunday, March 29.

Curtain times for the production are 7:30 p.m. Thursday – Saturday (March 26-28) and 2 p.m. Sunday, March. 29. All performances are in the Smith McFarland Theatre of the university’s Fine Arts Building, Normal and Marguerite streets, East Stroudsburg.

General admission is $20, senior citizens, faculty and staff (with ID) are $15, students (with ID) are $10, and youth are $5. Tickets are available online in advance at esu.edu/theatretickets. Tickets will also be available at the box office one hour before curtain on performance dates.

Into the Woods intertwines classic fairy tales—including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel—into a richly layered story exploring wishes, consequences, and what happens after “happily ever after.” With Sondheim’s iconic score and Lapine’s witty, thought-provoking book, the musical blends humor and heart with deeper reflections on community, responsibility, and moral choice.

Narvy, assistant professor of theatre, brings a fresh perspective to this celebrated work, guiding ESU student performers through both the whimsical fantasy and the emotional complexity that define the show. Into the Woods challenges performers and audiences alike to look beyond simple fairy-tale endings. It’s a story about growth, accountability, and the power of human connection.

The cast of Into the Woods includes: Tala Vanblarcom, a senior majoring in theatre from Easton, Pa., as The Narrator; Jet Gillian, a freshman majoring in digital media technologies from Camp Hill, Pa., as Jack; Amanda Cusick, a junior majoring in psychology from Scranton, Pa., as Jack’s Mom; Olivia McLaughlin, a senior majoring in theatre from Philadelphia, Pa., as Little Red Riding Hood; Brian De Los Santos, a junior majoring in theatre and psychology from Tobyhanna, Pa., as The Baker; Lapis Vasquez, a junior majoring in theatre from Bronx, N.Y., as The Baker’s Wife; Madison Boltz, a senior majoring in theatre, from Palmyra, Pa., as The Witch; Chelsea Santiago, a junior majoring in theatre from Shrub Oak, N.Y., as Cinderella; Jesse Carey, a sophomore majoring in theatre from West Wyoming, Pa., as Cinderella’s Prince; Abigail Silva, a freshman majoring in theatre, from East Stroudsburg, Pa., as Cinderella’s Mother; Matthew Ocasio, a junior majoring in theatre from East Stroudsburg, Pa., as Cinderella’s Father; Annabel Pyne, a junior majoring in psychology and English from Northampton, Pa., as Cinderella’s Stepmother; Denise Torres, a junior majoring in theatre, from Allentown, Pa., as Florinda; Allison Wright, a sophomore majoring in theatre and Spanish from New Milford, Pa., as Lucinda; Elijah Williams, a junior majoring in theatre and psychology from Scranton, Pa., as Mysterious Man; Bella Smith, a sophomore majoring in theatre from Belvidere, N.J., as Rapunzel; Michael Gooding, a freshman majoring in theatre from Queens, N.Y., as The Wolf and Rapunzel’s Prince; Jack Burns, a freshman majoring in theatre from Chalfont, Pa., as The Steward; Sophia Touti, a sophomore majoring in theatre from Oley, Pa., as Grandmother and Giant; Mia Mendia, a senior majoring in theatre from Cresco, Pa., as Witch Understudy; Natalie Toth, a junior majoring in digital media technologies from Bethlehem, Pa., as Stagehand.

In addition to Narvy the production team includes: Dr. Brian Hodge, associate professor of music, music director; Robert Graham, assistant professor of theatre, technical director; Bethanie Wampol Watson, assistant professor of theatre, costume designer; Emmy Levine, assistant professor of theatre, intimacy coordinator; Andre Perez, a senior majoring in theatre from Bronx, N.Y., scenic designer; Naomi Springer, a senior majoring in theatre from Dunmore, Pa., stage manager; Bex Hughes, a senior majoring in theatre from Drums, Pa., assistant director, Joseph Regalbuto, a freshman majoring in theatre from Lake Ariel, Pa., assistant stage manager; Jordan Hongach, a sophomore majoring in biology from Stormville, N.Y., assistant stage manager; Mardoche Jules, a freshman majoring in theatre and political science from Reading, Pa., assistant stage manager; Joy Bannister, a sophomore majoring in theatre from Perkasie, Pa., assistant costume designer; Elizabeth Kilpatrick, a junior majoring in theatre from Hawley, Pa., as assistant costume designer; Christian Parra, a junior majoring in digital media technologies from East Stroudsburg, Pa., as assistant costume designer; Allison Makula, a junior majoring in theatre and digital media technologies from Bethlehem, Pa., hair and makeup, Mason Higgins, a senior majoring in integrated art and design from Tannersville, Pa., hair and makeup; Blu Miller, a sophomore majoring in theatre from Exeter, Pa., scenic charge; Jade Andryshak, a freshman majoring in art + media + design from Newfoundland, Pa., props master; Jayden Miley, a freshman majoring in psychology from Newfoundland, Pa., as props assistant; Ny Lundberg, a freshman majoring in integrated art and design, from Greeley, Pa., as props assistant; Jadeann Ashley-Cameron, a senior majoring in art + media + design from Trenton, N.J., A2; Michael Esposito, a junior majoring in digital media technologies and theatre from Scranton, Pa., A2; Asia Morales, a junior majoring in theatre from East Stroudsburg, Pa., box office manager.

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