By Bill Brewer, Costume Designer, Into the Woods
We all know the fairytales we grew up with.
Cinderella and Prince Charming, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood and the
Wolf. Sondheim and Lapine have challenged everything we think we know
about these fairytales. Into The Woods gives us
a happily ever after that isn’t. I wanted to find a way for the
characters to move beyond their iconography and become relatable as
human beings.
 |
| The Wolf |
I grew up with these tales during the 1950’s, an
idyllic respite in the American story. It was a time between wars and a
time when the American Dream reigned supreme. Everyone wanted the
perfect life and family; a fairytale existence was
yours for the taking if you worked hard and lived right. However
history tells us that idealism was short lived.
 |
| The Witch |
Viewing the characters through a 1950’s lens allows
us a relationship not offered with the removed “once upon a time”
approach. In my mind, the woods represent the world; it can be a scary
place once we leave the safety of our homes. The
world can also be full of adventure! But adventure involves risk and
the potential of life altering events. Once we experience the world our
lives may never be the same but it is a risk most of us are willing to
take.
Want to see more of Bill's sketches? Check back in later this week!
 |
| Red Riding Hood |
Come see Into the Woods and A Midsummer Night's Dream at PlayMakers thru December 7. For tickets, call 919.962.PLAY (7529) or visit our website.
