Mon River Arts to present ‘Into the Woods’

The show is being presented in memory of Courtney Harkins, a cast member who died shortly after rehearsals began.

Mon River Arts is preparing a production of “Into the Woods” that will take audiences on a magical journey with some of their favorite fairytale characters at Grand Theatre in Elizabeth.

Director Jeff Johnston said the cast is excited for the musical and has created a true bond during the creation of the show. He encourages everyone to come out and watch.

“I would say, sit back and enjoy the journey,” Johnston said. “Every time you see ‘Into the Woods,’ you’re going to see something different. So welcome yourself to the new experience of our production.”

The show will be presented from Oct. 11-13 and 18-20. Showtimes will be 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11, 12, 18 and 19, and 2 p.m. Oct. 13 and 20.

According to Johnston, more than 100 people auditioned for roles in the show, which has 21 cast members. He added that 15-20 people are working on the production in other capacities.

“We have, obviously, myself, the director, we have a music director, we have a stage manager and a choreographer,” Johnston said. “We have our artistic director, our production manager and a business manager. There’s a lot of people working really, really hard behind the scenes so that the hard work of the people on stage can be seen by as many people as possible.”

At the beginning of rehearsals, the production suffered the tragic death of cast member Courtney Harkins, and Johnston said the whole cast is working to honor her memory.

“Courtney had performed with MRA before, having been featured as Nancy in 2023’s ‘Oliver!’ Courtney had the ability to be loved by everyone who met her,” Johnston wrote in his director’s note. “She had unwavering talent, and an even more powerful heart and soul. Courtney was to be the Baker’s Wife in this production. As I stepped into this production after her passing, I’ve kept Courtney with me as we’ve built our story.

“Courtney and I met in college during a production that reignited my love for theatre after I had taken a multiple year absence. I may not be involved in theater today if not for her and that production. Over the next decade we had the opportunity to do a lot of theater together. In fact, she was in the first thing I ever directed. I’m so exceptionally grateful to share our last show together with you.”

Johnston said he and the cast have been referring to a quote from the musical to be reminded that they can endure, despite the hardships they have faced.

“‘Sometimes people leave you, halfway through the wood. Others may deceive you. You decide what’s good. You decide alone. No one is alone.’ No matter your grief, or your loss, you are not alone. You and I will endure. We endure because we are all together, entwined and inexplicably connected,” Johnston added in his director’s note.

Johnston said cast members have become a family and have grown together over the course of putting together the production.

“It’s one of the most hard-working casts I’ve ever been a part of,” Johnston said. “They just really love the show. They have bonded quite well. You know, we just have our nice, little happy family.

“Everyone wants to do their best work, but we’re all really adamant in putting forth the best production we can for Courtney. Courtney really, really loved theater and was very well known throughout the city, and we want to honor her legacy and her life as best we can.”

“Into the Woods” is a well-known show in the theater world, and Johnston said it reflects the struggles people go through as adults. He added that the show has something for everyone and anyone could be touched by it.

“As you grow up, it’s really beautiful to see how these characters struggle with all the things that we as adults struggle with,” he said. “Finding love, starting a family, grief and loss, it’s just, it’s really exciting, because there’s something for everybody, and that’s not something you can say about most shows.”

Tickets for $22 for adults, and $18 for seniors and students. Groups of 20 or more should contact the box office at MRAboxoffice@gmail. com. Tickets are available online at www.monriverarts.org.

The theater is located at 207 S. Second Avenue in Elizabeth.

“She had unwavering talent, and an even more powerful heart and soul.”

DIRECTOR JEFF JOHNSTON ON THE LATE COURTNEY HARKINS