Thursday, June 10, 2021 • The BuLLeTIn
THE ARTS
GO! MAGAZINE • PAGE 17
Continued from previous page
‘Into the Woods,’ in the park
Summer 2021 will also see the return of
Theater in the Park with the Stephen Sond-
heim musical “Into the Woods” on Aug. 21
and 21. The show is helmed by director and
choreographer Michelle Mejaski, whose
past theater in the park credits include “La
Cage Aux Folles” and “Jesus Christ Super-
star.” Scott Michaelsen is serving as musical
and vocal director.
For those who’ve not yet seen the musical,
Mejaski describes it as “a glimpse into the
lives of well-known characters in fairy tales
that we know, and it shows us that things
aren’t always as they seem, and life is not a
fairytale because every choice comes with
consequence.”
“Into the Woods” stars a host of Central
Oregon talent, including Tim Maurer (the
Baker), Kara Klontz (Baker’s Wife), Natalie
Manz (Cinderella), Ryan Klontz (Cinder-
ella’s Prince) John Kish (Jack) and Christie
Capucci (The Witch).
The show will be staged, as usual, in
Drake Park and Mejaski expects it to be
another sell-out run. She and Lay it Out
Events, the production company behind
Theater in the Park, would love to add an-
other night of performances if possible. For
tickets and more info, visit theaterbend.com
Ryan Brennecke/Bulletin file
“We don’t want to have a vaccinated section
and a nonvaccinated section. We don’t want to
have verification at the door or verification in
advance. Quite honestly, we’ve spent the last
13, 15 years building loyalty and passionate
patrons. The last thing we want to do right now
is have them come to the door and we go, ‘No,
we don’t have a place for you,’ or ‘No, you can’t
come in,’” said Ray Solley, executive director of
the Tower Theatre Foundation.
Open Space
Submitted photo
ification in advance,” he said. “Quite hon-
In the months ahead, you’ll likely be
Michelle Mejaski will direct and choreograph “Into the Woods,” coming to Drake Park in August.
estly, we’ve spent the last 13, 15 years build-
hearing a lot about Open Space, the new
ing loyalty and passionate patrons. The last
safety. More at beatchildrenstheatre.org.
multi-purpose venue at 220 NE Lafayette
after the link goes live on June 21, at show-
thing we want to do right now is have them
Actor and producer John Kish has plans
Ave., in the former home of 2nd Street The- tix4u.com/event-details/54559.
to hold small performances, workshops and come to the door and we go, ‘No, we don’t
ater. Live theater is among the po-
Bendertainment, a new, BIPOC-fo-
have a place for you,’ or ‘No, you can’t come
tential uses of Open Space, and
cused theater production company more at the new home of his popular plant
shop, Somewhere That’s Green, now located in.’”
Thoroughly Modern Pro-
launched by Bend theater stal-
Solley told the Tower staff earlier this
at 184 NE Greenwood Ave. in Bend. Look
ductions is already calling
warts Stephanie Von Aydan
for more news on the subject later this sum- week, “I believe we need to continue our
it home, according to
and Matt Vigil. Bender-
‘watchful waiting’ of COVID restrictions to
TMP founder David
tainment also plans to use mer, Kish said.
And if you’re wondering about the Tower be fully lifted before resuming normal oper-
DaCosta.
Open Space, albeit not
Theatre, Ray Solley, executive director of the ations. Not only will their removal make our
Rehearsals will get
until a planned variety
re-opening easier and more cost-effective, I
underway this month
show in October, accord- Tower Theatre Foundation, which operates
the theater, said the theater is waiting for the think it will profoundly re-enforce the pub-
for TMP’s next two
ing to Von Aydan, fol-
lifting of restrictions on public gatherings.
lic’s perception that it’s OK to go indoors for
shows, “Moana,” be-
lowed by the company’s
“We don’t want to have a vaccinated sec-
live entertainment again.”
ing staged July 23-25,
first full-fledged produc-
e David Jasper: 541-383-0349,
tion and a nonvaccinated section. We don’t
and “Frozen Jr,” Aug.
tion, coming in 2022.
djasper@bendbulletin.com
want to have verification at the door or ver-
27-29, each starring
More shows ahead
youth casts and will make
BEAT Children’s Theatre
use of set-enhancing ani-
will be presenting “Star Wars
mated video.
Submitted photo
Shakespeare: Twelfth Night”
“It’s accompanying ani-
Jake Woodmansee will
mated video from the be-
perform in “A Uniquely Of- this summer, described by
ginning of the shows all
fensive Comedy Showcase: BEAT Executive Director Bree
Beal as “a hysterical version of
the way through,” DaCosta
Sister Ethel & Friends” on
Shakespeare’s original play, re-
said. “It’s pretty cool stuff.
June 25.
written through the lens of the
It’s not going to replace a
Star Wars universe. The script
set, but it is the main com-
adaptation was done by our director, Mi-
ponent of the set.”
IN THE BALANCE OF COMPETING HARMS - WE SHALL PREVAIL
chaela Conley.” Look for performances in
Musical Impressions Studios will put on
“Little Women” at Open Space. Co-directed mid-August. BEAT is also offering a slate of
541-788-5858
Summer camps and classes, including tra-
by Angelina Anello-Dennee and Gracie
905 SW Rimrock Way Suite 100A
ditional Improv, traditional musical theater
Conant, it performs July 16-18. The July
Nolan Town Square • Redmond, OR
and some new additions such as Hip Hop
16 show is a fundraiser for the new Ellipse
Shakespeare. Classes and camps are filling
Theatre Community, co-founded by Anel-
ladiesofl eadusa@gmail.com
up quickly, and enrollment is limited for
lo-Dennee. Look for tickets and other info,
Sharon Preston