St. Joseph students to stage 'Into the Woods' at Vandergrift's Casino Theater

St. Joseph High School students have tapped into the expertise of professional directors for the spring production of “Into the Woods.” The guidance has taken them from “amateur to stars,” some of the theatrical teens said.

“We’ve gone to a whole other level,” said senior Hannah Laskowski, 18, of Arnold.

She landed the lead role of the witch, complete with a grotesque mask and two canes to help her hobble across the stage.

“The audience might be taken aback by how weird the beginning is, but it will all click, and the true meaning comes together beautifully at the end,” she said.

“Into the Woods” will hit the stage at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Casino Theater in Vandergrift.

Tickets, $10 for students and $12 for adults, are available at saintjosephhs.com.

“Into the Woods” is a dark take on several Brothers Grimm fairy tales, with the plots for each character intertwined as they develop throughout the show.

The musical, which debuted on Broadway in 1987, showcases music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and won three Tony Awards.

“Sondheim is known for writing difficult music with a depth to the material that for high school students to wrap their heads around is a big ask,” said Michael Campayno of Churchill.

Campayno joins his fellow Central Catholic alum, Teddy Stevenson of Bellevue, in directing St. Joe’s spring production.

While in high school, Campayno won the 2008 Gene Kelly Award for best supporting actor for his role in “Beauty and the Beast.” He graduated from Carnegie Mellon University and went on to star in the live television version of “The Sound of Music” and then on Broadway in the hit “Wicked.”

Stevenson was nominated the same year for a Gene Kelly Award for his role as Lumiere in the same show. He graduated from the University of Michigan and works as a producer for CBS.

“We grew up together and fell in love with theater,” Stevenson said.

Long entrenched in show business, the duo is able to provide an acute eye for character development.

“With us, they’re not just learning their lines,” Campayno said. “They are forming a personal connection to their role.”

The pair chose the twisted tale in part for its fanciful themes but also the grounded values discussed in the script.

“It’s the perfect comeback show,” Stevenson said. “Kids have lost the opportunity for live theater the last two years, and here there are several individual parts that play into the show so they all feel a big part of the performance.”

Students have been rehearsing for months in the gymnasium on their Harrison campus. Hours after school are spent perfecting dance moves and learning exact intonations.

Senior Kelly Wolfe, 18, said prancing across the stage is outside her comfort zone.

“I’m fairly shy,” the Sarver resident said. “I love being a part of something bigger than myself.”

Wolfe is excitedly looking forward to her portrayal of Cinderella.

“It’s a different take than the typical sweet princess,” she said. “It shows that the prince isn’t the answer to all the problems.”

Plum senior Olivia DiNatale, 18, landed the role of the baker’s wife. She said that while the script is a challenge, the role is a perfect fit.

“Our cast is amazing, and everyone is so supportive,” she said. “I think the audience will have fun with this different twist on the classic tales.”

For Stevenson and Campayno, giving back to the community has fueled their long-standing passion.

“Theater was so influential in our lives,” Campayno said. “I hope they take away how important it is.”

Stevenson agreed.

“Our whole goal is to inspire them to keep arts in their lives,” he said.