News at Buckley

Into the Woods: An "Udderly" Successful Production!

Miles G., communications intern
Though it was tiring and stressful, Into the Woods, written by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, was my eleventh show at Buckley and second Upper School show as Assistant Director/Stage Manager – and was one of my favorite Buckley productions to work on.
In the middle of November, the show played four sold-out performances and one faculty preview.

“It was exciting to hear Sondheim on our stage, and I am super proud of what we accomplished,” said choreographer Laura Bamford.

More than 50 students from both Middle and Upper School worked on the show for two-and-a-half months. While the cast was on stage performing, the 14-person tech crew was tasked with making sure the shows ran smoothly and the actors looked and sounded great. We even got help from Ellen Mahoney, Buckley’s former visual arts department chair, who painted the wooden cow, Milky White. 

The tech crew was often found running around backstage, in the booth, and on the balcony, as well as fixing props seconds before they were supposed to go on stage, dealing with some minor injuries, various microphone issues, and duct-taping Milky White’s udders back together in the middle of the show. 

“For a theatrical production, especially a musical, to be truly spectacular, everything has to go right,” said director Michael Spound. “The set design, costumes, orchestra, and the dedication of the cast, crew, and directing team worked until all hours to make sure everything went well.”

“And, on top of that,” he said, “You need the ability of the cast to match the quality of the material, which is a tall order as we were doing one of Stephen Sondheim's most honored and decorated musicals…. It all went right, in no small part due to this incredible group of young actors led by 12 very special seniors.”

Everyone in the department is looking forward to our next production, Our Town, with auditions happening after winter break!

Photo by Laura Bamford. 
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