Spring has sprung in Haldane’s wood, where blossoms bloom and make life good. But watch your step and stay aware– a giant’s stomp might shake the air!
Thankfully, the only giants spotted around Cold Spring have been on stage, as Haldane Drama just wrapped up a fantastic production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods, directed by Martha Mechalakos. Haldane is no stranger to this show, and 2025 marked the third time that the high school performed Into The Woods.
The show intertwines many classic Brothers Grimm fairy tales. Each main character sets out on a journey through the woods, motivated by personal gain. However, the antagonist, the Witch, and later the Giant, create many issues within each character’s story. By the end of the musical, the characters discover that life should consist of more than actions purely for personal success, and they learn the importance of creating more meaningful moments and living life to its fullest.
The students of Haldane Drama put in a tremendous effort to bring this crowd-pleaser to life. Some rehearsals lasted over 10 hours. Senior Amelia Alayon found these rehearsals to be some of her favorites. “I think it’s a super fun environment to be a part of,” Alayon said. “We all see each other at school and then have to switch to a completely different mindset. The process of getting ready together allows us to forget the stress of school and focus on creating a productive rehearsal environment.”
On Thursday, March 20, the understudies performed Act 1, which proved to be a special opportunity for many of Haldane’s budding actors to perform. Freshman Silvia Hardman, who played Rapunzel in the understudy show, said, “I really enjoyed the understudy performance, I felt really lucky to show my work to an actual audience.” The audience on Thursday night included students from The Foundry Montessori, middle school actors in The Secret Garden, residents of the Senior Center, and the performers’ families.
The opening night performance on March 21 sold out, with over 400 tickets sold, and the performances on Saturday and Sunday were also packed with an appreciative audience of community members.
Each performance of Into the Woods was executed with remarkable precision. The actors’ strong vocals, combined with the live pit orchestra conducted by Haldane band Teacher Jessica Stein also brought a sophisticated feel to the show. Haldane sophomore Delia Starr and sophomore Noah Green had the opportunity to play alongside the other professional musicians. The set design was seamlessly integrated, enhancing the immersive experience, and the hard work of everyone behind the scenes was evident. Volunteers are the backbone of Haldane Drama, working on costumes, set construction painting, and more. The Stage and Tech Crews also had a major role in the rehearsal and performance process.
There were many Haldane seniors for which Into the Woods represented the final bow, and they will be sorely missed. Alayon summed up her senior perspective after the end of the Sunday show. “Being on stage for the last time was an incredibly weird feeling, and [it] didn’t really set in until my final entrance,” she said. “The part I played [Baker’s Wife] enters as a ghost at the end of the show and it’s a very emotional scene where she reminds her widowed husband that children will always listen to the words of their parents. It felt like I was teaching a lesson to the audience, and I only hope they gained something from watching the beautifully written Sondheim show.”
Haldane Drama has delivered yet another outstanding production, showcasing their talent and dedication. With such a strong performance, their future productions are sure to continue impressing audiences.
