The Saint Patrick High School Theatre Department will close its 2005 – 2006 season with the Tony Award winning Broadway Musical “Into the Woods.” Called “the most imaginative musical of the (1987) season – a major theatrical event” by Jeffrey Lyons, theatre critic for WCBS-TV Radio, “Into the Woods” features a whirlwind journey through the fantastical world of fairytales and fables. With a moving and profound score by Stephen Sondheim and a powerful, witty book by James Lapine, this is a musical you won’t want to miss. The show will run March 31, April 1,2 and 7-9, 2006.

Join a baker and his wife as they journey into the woods in search of a cow, a red cape, a pair of golden slippers and some magic beans, all of which are necessary to lift the curse that has kept them childless. They meet up with a beguiling cast of characters that will leave you laughing out loud, fighting back tears and, ultimately, transformed by the whole experience.

For the past four years, the Saint Patrick High School Theatre Department has set a standard of excellence for student productions of contemporary plays and blockbuster Broadway musicals. This year is no exception. Recognizing the high quality of the production, the Illinois High School Festival Theatre Committee chose “Over the Tavern,” our fall show, to be performed at the all-state festival at Illinois State University this past January. This spring once again, a team of professional theatre artists will join together with Saint Patrick High School students and girls from Chicago area high schools to present “Into the Woods.” The production team includes Kevin Long, director; Rebecca Hamlin, set designer; John Sanchez, lighting designer; Suzanne Mann, costume designer; Rory Murphy, sound designer; Gena Long, props designer; Karl Sullivan, technical director; and Ted Waltmire, conductor.

“Into the Woods" opens March 31, and runs through April 9. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees start at 2:00 p.m. All shows will be performed at the Saint Patrick Performing Arts Centre, located at 5900 W. Belmont Avenue. Tickets are $7.00 for Students and $10.00 for Adults and can be purchased on line at www.stpatrick.org or by phoning the box office at 773.286.8470.

Join Saint Patrick High School on an imaginative adventure in which we discover the power of tolerance and shared sacrifice as well the importance of communal responsibility and the values we pass on to our own children.