Lots of new faces join cast for Kincardine Theatre Guild’s “Into the Woods”

The Kincardine Theatre Guild has welcomed several new faces to the cast in the production of “Into the Woods,” which opens Nov. 20, at the Kincardine Arts Centre.

Five are brand new to the theatre guild stage, including Peter Eboigbe, Kendra Newton, Nicole Reid, Casey Martin, and Greg Nyenhuis, as well as director Alison Moran; and three have taken on lead roles in this show, Megan Gramigna, and Rob and Jenn Peters, who last performed in “The Pirates of Penzance.”

“Into the Woods” is a fairy tale come to life, intertwining the stories of Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack, Little Red Riding Hood, and more, in a magical tale about wishes, consequences and what happens after “happily ever after.”

PETER EBOIGBE

Peter Eboigbe, 26, has been a resident of the area since 2023 when he came here to work at Bruce Power. He moved to Tiverton last year.

This is his second time on stage, as he performed at the Holstein Theatre with Moran. Because she was directing this show, he was drawn to audition and was excited to get the role of Cinderella’s father.

“My character is just a drunk,” says Eboigbe, “so I had to figure out, what’s my drunk walk?”

He enjoys working with the theatre guild and the cast and crew, finding them all very inclusive and welcoming. While he likes to sing and perform in musicals, there is a fair amount of acting involved in this play which keeps him busy memorizing lines.

When he is not working or rehearsing, he enjoys playing volleyball and soccer, and likes other sports. He also plays the piano and video games.

KENDRA NEWTON

Kendra Newton, 16, of Kincardine is in Grade 11 at Kincardine District Senior School. She has performed in musicals in elementary school and high school, but this is her first time on stage with the Kincardine Theatre Guild.

She auditioned for the part of Milky the Cow, and was thrilled to be selected.

“I’m dressed as the Third Little Pig operating a cow puppet on stage,” she says. “This is something I’ve never done before. It’s a new experience – I’ve never puppeted anything. I’m pretty excited to be the cow.”

Kendra says the show is well-organized and the cast and crew are helpful and friendly. She would like to continue performing with the theatre guild and with KDSS musicals.

In her spare time, she is part of a number of bands – playing trumpet and singing. She also plays representative soccer in Walkerton.

NICOLE REID

Nicole Reid, 39, of Kincardine is a massage therapist, is married to Nick, and has a son, Cullen.

She has always wanted to perform on the theatre guild stage and finally took the plunge, auditioning for any female role.

“I love singing and acting,” she says, “and I’m quite dramatic!”

She was delighted to get the part of Rapunzel. “I love it. This character is a lot – a little tragic, locked up in a tower; she just wants to be happy but happiness eludes her. And I’m a blond so that’s different – I like it!”

Reid performed in “Joseph and His Technicolour Dreamcoat” in high school but was just in the band, playing clarinet and bass clarinet. She is excited for opening night of “Into the Woods,” and a bit nervous as well.

When she has some spare time, she enjoys Indigenous bead-weaving, as well as singing and playing violin and guitar. She and her family are looking forward to a trip to Prince Edward Island next summer where she will be singing and playing her guitar around the campfire.

CASEY MARTIN

Casey Martin lives in Kincardine and has worked at Bruce Power for 20 years. He is married with two children.

He auditioned for the play because his daughter urged him to do it. “She wanted me to audition for ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ but I decided not to. This time, I agreed, and here I am.”

Taking on the role of Narrator, he is excited about being on stage. “Everyone is great here, very inclusive and welcoming, and I appreciate the diversity of the cast. It’s very uplifting. I like being here with my daughter.”

GREG NYENHUIS

Greg Nyenhuis, 18, of Tara is in his fifth year at St. Mary’s High School in Owen Sound and works at Wal-Mart. He plans to attend Sheridan College in Oakville to obtain a Bachelor of Musical Studies.

While he has been on stage before, this is his first time with the Kincardine Theatre Guild. He was looking for a place to audition and saw the call for “Into the Woods,” so he auditioned and got the part of Jack.

“He’s a fun character to play,” he says. “He’s not very bright and he’s a bit childish, but he sticks it to the giant, and that’s cool.”

Nyenhuis says the theatre guild has been very friendly and welcoming and Kincardine is a great community. Besides this play, he is also performing in “A Christmas Carol” in Owen Sound, and “Puffs” at his school.

In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his friends and playing video games.

MEGAN GRAMIGNA

Megan Gramigna of Kincardine has been working at Bruce Power for the past four years. She and her partner, Chris Billingham, have two cats.

While she is not new to the theatre guild, having played the “vivacious” daughter in “The Pirates of Penzance” last year, this is her first major role and it’s a doozy.

“I’m playing the Witch and it’s a fabulous part,” she says. “I bring a lot of passion to the role, and I have a wicked cackle. She’s the villain, locking her daughter in the tower, but she has a back-story and there’s a whole lot more to her than meets the eye. It’s perfect for me!”

Gramigna says there is a lot more action in this show, with people dashing in and out of the woods throughout, and there is a great expression of emotions – it’s almost cathartic.

Originally from Mount Forest, Gramigna knew Moran from there and the Holstein Theatre nearby. Moran came to see “The Pirates of Penzance” four times, and they perform musical theatre together.

In her spare time, Gramigna enjoys playing video games, and watching really bad movies and forcing her friends to watch them with her!

ROB AND JENN PETERS

Rob and Jenn Peters of Kincardine both work at Bruce Power and have two children.

While Rob had a major role in “The Pirates of Penzance,” this is Jenn’s first time taking a lead role.

They play the Baker and the Baker’s Wife and are thrilled to be part of this play.

“It’s a complex show but it’s a lot of fun to do,” says Jenn. “The music is difficult and there is a lot of moving on and off stage.”

“We play a husband and wife,” adds Rob, “so we fight a lot in the show which makes it very convincing.”

Unlike “The Pirates of Penzance,” this production has a lot of individual characters, rather than groups and ensembles, they say. Plus, there is a lot more music.

In their spare time, the couple sings with the “A Cappella” choir and attends their children’s activities.

ALISON MORAN

Alison Moran lives in Owen Sound and is manager of IT for the YMCA of Owen Sound-Grey-Bruce.

This is her first time directing with the Kincardine Theatre Guild, but she has been a director for a number of years. Originally from Mount Forest, she has done shows with the Holstein Theatre for 12 years.

Her best friend, Megan Gramigna of Kincardine, asked her to direct “Into the Woods” so she submitted her proposal and was selected as director.

“It was a hard show to cast,” says Moran. “We had 50 people audition and we cast only 24. This is a Stephen Sondheim musical so the music is difficult, but we have Liz Coates as musical director and she is fabulous, and we have a 10-piece live band.

“The cast and crew have made it so easy. We’ve been practising once a week through the summer so they came with the music already learned. We blocked the action and everyone came more than prepared.

“Now, we just fine-tuning everything - the music and the acting. We’re ahead of schedule and I’m looking forward to opening night.

“I greatly appreciate the Kincardine Theatre Guild for giving me this opportunity. This is a wonderful group of people.”

In her spare time, Moran plays musical theatre with Gramigna, and enjoys crocheting and needlework.

Joining the newcomers on stage, are:
 

• Little Red Riding Hood – Emily Cassidy
• Cinderella – Fawn Robinson
• Cinderella’s Prince – Benjamin Hearn
• Rapunzel’s Prince – Dan McGibney
• The Wolf – Jared Petrie
• Cinderella’s Stepmother – Amy Gowan
• Florinda – Isabella Geberdt
• Lucinda – Sam Kim
• Cinderella’s Mother/Sleeping Beaty – River Hunter
• The Giant/Granny – Joy King
• The Steward – Jason Geberdt
• The Mysterious Man – John Low
• Snow White/Chorus – Lily Martin
• Chorus – Milo Petrie
• Jack’s Mother – Debbie Deckert
• Chorus – Jameson May

“Into the Woods” opens Thursday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m., at the Kincardine Arts Centre. It runs Nov. 21-22, 27-28, and Dec. 4-5 at 7 p.m., with matinees Nov. 23, 29 and Dec. 6 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $30 each; available at the Victoria Park Gallery (cash only) during business hours, or on-line at tproontario.ticketpro.ca (ticket price, plus taxes and fees).