John Paul College ready to debut new production

John Paul College students have been hard at work rehearsing for this year's musical production Into the Woods.

The musical opens at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre on Friday.

Production manager Candice Stevenson has been impressed by the commitment of all the students involved.

"It's such a commitment, it really is a huge thing to take on," she said.

"We auditioned at the end of last year, so we've pretty much been going since the start of the year."

Into the Woods is based on the book by James Lapine with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.

"It's kind of a mash up of all the fairy tales, starts out nice then all turns to custard," Mrs Stevenson said.

"It appeals to all kind of age groups, entertaining for a huge number of people. Fairy tales for the kids, a bit of black humour for the parents."

John Paul College students rehearse their dancing for the upcoming production Into the Woods. Photo/Ben Fraser

More than 40 students will be involved in the production, helping out with costumes, make up, backstage and advertising, as well as on the stage.

"If you're too scared to get up on stage there's something for you to do," Mrs Stevenson said.

John Paul College alternates yearly between Stage Challenge and a musical production.

"Being production manager has been a fulltime job in itself," she said.

"The kids have coped really well with having it every second year."

Head boy Gus Dube will play Rapunzel's prince, Year 13 student Justyce Moala the baker and Year 12 student Carmela Espellaga the baker's wife.

"There's ups and downs, we have some long days of rehearsing," Gus said.

"But we have some mad banter," said Justyce.

In the play the baker and his wife (Justyce and Carmella), are on a mission to have a child after they are cursed with childlessness by the witch next door.

Students first learnt the music and are now adding in the dancing for Into the Woods. Photo/Ben Fraser

Gus said learning the music had been the hardest part.

"There's bits where we're all out of sync and you have to rely on your own metronome," he said.

"We all do drama, so we've already been in a few productions," Carmela said.

"It's definitely helped my confidence a lot, and you get really close with the people in your classes."

All three students were in the recent production of Midsummer Night's Dream.

Justyce said the play was a good time, a good laugh with good people.

"If you want to see what happens after happily ever after, then come and watch," Carmela said.

What: John Paul College Into the Woods
When: May 12-May 20
Where: The Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre
Cost: Adults $35, children $20