Not Your Grandma’s Fairy Tale: Dickinson Dives Into the Woods
Photo by A. Pierce Bounds '71.
Musical ventures far beyond ‘happily ever after’
by MaryAlice Bitts-Jackson
Once upon a time, a little girl confused a wolf for her grandmother. A teen took romantic advice from some rodents. A boy traded his family’s cow for some beans. Somehow, their greatest wishes came true. But what happened next? To find out, you must venture into the woods.
Dickinson presents beloved and critically acclaimed Sondheim/Lapine musical Into the Woods Feb. 27 through March 1. The production features a cast of 27, directed by Professor Emerita of Theatre Karen Kirkham, and a 16-member orchestra, led by Lisa Turchi, contributing instructor in music.
A lively discussion of fairytale ethics will be held the week after the show’s run.
Funny, dark and deep
The musical exposes the darkly funny and affecting things that can happen when people’s dreams come true, asking: What are the consequences of wishing and risk-taking? What are the tensions between individual desire and community responsibility and belonging?
Those ideas are as timely as they are timeless, notes Kirkham, who returns to campus this spring to lead the production.
“Fairy tales are about human nature and how we behave toward one another,” Kirkham explains. “This show really deals with ethical and moral dilemmas—what are we willing to do to get what we want, and why do we always want more? What is the price for unbridled individualism and fractured community, and how do we heal?”
Meaningful milestones
The show is a full-circle moment for Alex Lauff ’26 (English, Medieval & Early Modern studies). When she applied to Dickinson, she wrote about Into the Woods for her college essay. Now, as a graduating senior, she’s an actor in her favorite musical.
“My favorite line in Into the Woods is: ‘Children will look to you for which way to turn / to learn what to be,” says Lauff, who portrays Jack’s Mother, of “Jack and the Beanstalk” lore. '"We will never know how our actions or words will be interpreted by our children, or our children's children. What is important, though, is being present with our loved ones and being honest that we are only human.”
Into the Woods is also a highlight for Max Carfrey ’26 (environmental studies), who marks his seventh mainstage production at Dickinson this spring. Carfrey connects strongly with the show’s focus on community-building and how it portrays the unofficial families we build.
The conversation continues
As these students note, Into the Woods adds depth and surprise to the stories we learned as children, and it creates an opportunity to come together and think about what we value and why. So Amy McKiernan, associate professor of philosophy and director of Dickinson’s Ethics Across Campus & the Curriculum program, teamed up with Kirkham to organize a post-production discussion about the ethical issues raised in the play.
All are invited to attend the informal discussion, "Into the Woods and Moral Philosophy," on Tuesday, March 3, 4:30-5:30 p.m. in East College, room 411. With a nod to Red Riding Hood, baked goods will be served.
It’s a welcome opportunity for Carfrey, who took McKiernan’s Practical Ethics course this fall and presented at Dickinson’s 2025 Ethics Symposium about how live theatre can build empathy. But, as he stresses, Into the Woods isn’t solely for the philosophically minded. It’s also a fun ride, with humor, engaging music and dance and plenty of unexpected twists. "I believe this show will have a little something for everyone, whether you are interested in ethics or just want to view a spectacular musical,” Carfrey says.
Showtimes for Into the Woods are Friday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 1 at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $5.
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TAKE THE NEXT STEPS
Published February 25, 2026