By Shelby Boman for the FCT

“The cow as white as milk. The cape as red as blood. The hair as yellow as corn. The slipper as pure as gold.” These were the four sought-after items for the cast of Russellville High School’s, “Into the Woods.”

The Broadway-based musical took the stage Thursday and Friday last week

Because of the curse of a once-beautiful witch, a baker and his wife are childless. The only way to reverse the spell is to find the requested ingredients, restoring the witch’s beauty. Throughout their journey they encounter Little Red Riding Hood, Jack, Rapunzel and Cinderella, each on their own journey to fulfil a wish.

The Brothers Grimm fairy tale characters remained true to their classic tales, while incorporating a variety of song, dance and contemporary diction.

Director Patrice Smith and Music Director Emily Rush worked with a large cast to bring a production capturing humor, sarcasm and whimsicality to the stage.

“We chose this specific production based on the cast size and the right voicing and characters to play the certain roles,” said Rush.

Performing a musical, Smith added, “is like awakening a beast. You have to bring it to life, and so many parts have to fit together with the costumes, acting and design.

“We overcame a lot of bumps in the road, but I knew the kids would do a great job.”

The family-oriented production engaged the audience throughout the show’s seamless transitions by way of affable narrators, guiding them through the story.

Seventeen-year-old Destiny Cooper, for whom this was her first musical, graced the audience with her musicality and stage presence through the cryptic role of the witch. The RHS junior said she has a background in choir and wants to be a singer when she grows up. “I like how my character got in everyone’s business, especially when they least expected it,” she said.