Wheaton Drama heads ‘Into the Woods’

Wheaton Drama Inc.’s production of the Tony Award-winning musical “Into the Woods” continues through Sunday, June 9, with performances Thursday through Sunday directed by Craig Gustafson and featuring a cast of local actors and an orchestra.

The show, which opened in 1987 on Broadway, brings together several Brothers Grimm fairy tale characters, including Cinderella, Jack from “Jack and the Beanstalk,” Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel, tracks them on their quests to get their respective wishes, and illustrates the unforeseen consequences that follow once they obtain them.

The various plots of these characters are woven together by an original story involving a baker and his wife and their efforts to undo a curse put on their house by a neighboring witch, which has prevented them from having a child.

“The show is wildly clever and entertaining,” said Michael Sitrick, who plays the Baker in the production.

“However, while the first act is very fun and lighthearted, the second act definitely takes a step back from the humor and causes the audience to stop and take stock of the choices we all make throughout our lives and the repercussions that they can have, not only on ourselves, but on our families, friends and neighbors.

“It’s one of those productions that really will cause you to laugh, cry and, most importantly, think.”

Performances for “Into the Woods” are at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 6 to 8, and 3 p.m. Sunday, June 9. Tickets — $18 on Thursday, $21 other days — are available by visiting wheatondrama.org or calling (630) 260-1820.