Standout Spartans: Susan Sanford and Heidi Taylor

(photo: Richmond Shakespeare)

Congratulations to Middle School Theatre and Upper School Public Speaking Teacher Susan Sanford and Middle School/Upper School Choral Music Teacher Heidi Taylor, who have roles in Richmond Shakespeare’s upcoming production of “Into the Woods” by Stephen Sondheim. Making this even more special is the fact that the play will be performed in Steward’s Lora M. Robins Theatre! Get your tickets now for the play, which runs March 7-24. 

Ms. Sanford, who plays the Witch, said the play is “a beautiful retelling of several familiar fairy tales — ‘Little Red Riding Hood,’ ‘Cinderella,’ ‘Jack and the Beanstalk,’ and others — woven together with Stephen Sondheim’s amazing music and lyrics. The first act wraps up with a typical ‘happily ever after’ vibe, and the second act gets darker with the reality of what happens after the happy ever after.”

Ms. Taylor plays two roles (Cinderella’s Mother and Granny) in the timeless classic. 

“I have roles that are very different from each other,” she said. “As I think of the show, I connect with different characters in different stages of my life. I think ‘Into the Woods’ has been popular for so long because it taps into the stories and life decisions that everyone can relate to.” 

Playing the Witch, said Ms. Sanford, “is a dream come true. Richmond Shakespeare was the first theatre that I worked with when I moved to Richmond. It’s also where my husband and I met, fell in love, and got engaged … he proposed after the curtain call of ‘Twelfth Night’ on the stage!”