Wander ‘Into the Woods’ with the Paris Performers’ Theatre Group

By Carolina Saenz

There is no doubt that Paris is home to lots of talent. This spring, some of that talent hits the stage as The Paris Performers’ Theatre presents “Into the Woods” by Stephen Sondheim. Celebrating their 30th anniversary season, “Into the Woods” will be their final production of this milestone season and theatre goers can catch one of several shows taking place on May 19, 20, 26, and 27 at 8 pm, and May 21 and 28 at 2 pm at the Paris Fairgrounds

Terri-Lynn Graham, president of the Paris Performers' Theatre and director of this show shares their take on this classic. Graham explains that the first act of ‘Into the Woods’ tells the stories of classic tales such as Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Little Red Ridinghood, and a special tale of the Baker and his Wife that was written specifically for the show but is loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen’s "Thumbelina". The first act ends with everyone getting their happily ever after. The second act tells what happens after 'happily ever after' and to be careful what you wish for because you don't know the consequences of that wish.

“Our interpretation of the show is more in the costuming and set as its based on a Victorian steampunk theme The set will have a more industrial looking Woods and the characters will be using the audience as part of the Woods they venture through,” Graham writes While some of the characters are played by very experienced volunteers from The Paris Performers’ Theatre and some seasoned actors, Jordan Graham is making his stage debut as “Jack”. And all the main characters are playing some of their ‘bucket list’ roles, making this a very special show for everyone.

“It's been an incredible experience working with all of them and seeing the more experienced actors encouraging the newer actors. They're all a big family. But keeping them from chatting has been like being in a toddler daycare sometimes!” jokes Graham

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The Baker’s Wife and Cinderella’s Prince played by Deanna Stevens and Arthur G Brook. Into the Woods presented by Paris Performers’ Theatre runs from May 19 – 28. You can reserve your tickets online now so you don’t miss out on the final production of the group’s 30th anniversary season.

The show consists of about two and a half hours of entertainment, with a 20-minute intermission A wellworth-it show, attendees can expect laughter, tears, poignant moments, and incredible singing. The band playing will be led by Christopher Bee.

This final show of the Paris Performers’ Theatre’s 30th anniversary season has actually been in the works for quite some time, originally slated during the pandemic. And this year really marks the theatre’s 32nd season, but members are celebrating it as the 30th season because of the lost years.

“We started with "Rocky Horror Show" as our October fundraiser, then "Cock" in November, "The Pillowman" in February and we are rounding it out with this classic musical I was the one who spearheaded this show with Deanna Stevens who plays our Baker's Wife. She and I have had this vision going on 10 years now and are ecstatic to pull it off together,” shares Graham. This is Graham’s second show as a director, having directed “Bare Bear Bones” in February 2019, but it is her first musical. As a stage manager by trade and usually in that role, the transition to the director’s chair was easy

“I first saw the Broadway production with Bernadette Peters in high school and fell in love with it and performed the show with a local group out of Brantford as a teen. When I first came to Paris Performers 10 years ago, I found out they used to put on musicals quite frequently, but it does take an enormous amount of work and money in the background to be able to pull it off. I had it as a show in my back pocket to put on at some point but knew I needed a huge amount of help. Without the amazing people on my cast and crew, in particular Nikole Beda, Duncan Graham, Deanna, my musical director Chris Bee and my stage manager Susan Dignan, this show would have been impossible to mount, and I'm forever indebted to their assistance to keep my vision of the show intact. I had a lot of setbacks this past year with my health and personal life that could have kept this show from going on but with these incredible people we've pulled off a show that we're all very proud of,” she said.

Everyone of all ages is invited to attend To purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite, or call the Paris Performers’ Theatre at 519-3020169, message them on Facebook, or via email at parisperformerstheatre@gmail.com

“Community theatre has always struggled as a viable form of entertainment unless it's at the Broadway level which is incredibly unfortunate. Local community theatre is all about a special bonding of "family" that all these dedicated volunteers share a passion for. They work very hard to put on quality productions that showcase incredible local talent for a fraction of the cost of going to Stratford, Toronto or New York When you support local theatres like Paris Performers, you get to see your neighborhood cashiers, bartenders, woodworkers, business owners and more creating another way to bond with their patrons and friends and family. The outlet provided by community theatre allows people from all walks of life, with all types of abilities, to be part of something