Migration Hall presents Into The Woods Junior

By Deanna Bertrand

KINGSVILLE — Into The Woods Jr. takes the stage this weekend at Migration Hall in Kingsville after being postponed since May due to COVID-19 restrictions. It will be the first post- COVID production at the hall.

Final preparations were being made Sunday afternoon, August 22, as the cast and production crew came together for a “tech rehearsal.”

As makeup was applied, costumes fitted and props painted, a busy excitement was visible throughout the hall.

“It has been so long since I’ve been in a show,” said actress Larissa Porteous, who plays the role of the Witch. “I am so excited!”

Cast of Into the Woods Jr. left to right: Little Red Riding Hood, played by Bailee Roy; Jamieson MacNeil, The Big Bad Wolf; Little Red Riding Hood: Avery Neufeld; Prince: Isaac Newton; Cinderella: Patricia Arndt, Prince: Rowan Alice, Witch: Larissa Porteous, Bakers wife: Sela Taylor, Baker: Ryan Hallick, Bakers Wife: Leila Laba and in front Michaela Porteous as Jack.

Director Kathy Costa said that due to the COVID restrictions, the play had to be postponed from its original date and rehearsals moved online.

She said it had been a challenging process with a few cast members having dropped from the show, which had most of its roles double cast.

“It was going to be outdoors,” she said.

But then the province lifted more restrictions and the group is now able to perform the play on stage with cabaret style seating of 15 tables.

The play is based on the book by James Lapine with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and features characters from Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and The Beanstalk and the Witch.

Director Kathy Costa and Larissa Porteous, playing the Witch.

The musical centres on a baker and his wife, who wish to have a child but have been cursed by a witch, Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King’s festival, and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk.

The first performance will be Friday night, August 27 at 7:30 p.m., followed by matinee performances Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. and then the 7:30 p.m. show. It will run until September 5. Tickets are available online at migrationhall.com

Doors open 30 minutes prior to show time. Show running time is approximately 75 minutes with no intermission. Masks are required throughout the check-in process, as well as anytime guests are not seated.

Baker’s wives played by Sela Taylor (left) and Leila Laba (right) fixing Cinderella’s dress played by Patricia Arndt.

SUN photos by Deanna Bertrand