Awww, MichaelNKat, I am blushing and kvelling with everything you say!
It's wonderful to finally get the show on its feet and to be playing to audiences that are larger than we expected them to be. I had a lot of fun with my "triple duty" and your compliments are much appreciated and humbling. Thank you. I can't believe graduation is so soon and that a new set of freshmen will be stepping into the shoes that I remember so well.
I would like to add that the musicians were half School of Music students and half professionals. All are hired when they play in the pit, but since UArts caters to jazz musicians, we are at a loss for any type of string other than an upright bass. We hired the strings section, the piano (Eric Ebbenga, who is a UArts instructor and coach, among other wonderful things) and the synthesizer (Chris Ertelt, who accompanies for many master classes at UArts and is also the Resident Music Director at the Media Theatre).
If anybody is in the Philadelphia area and hasn't gotten the chance to see INTO THE WOODS, tomorrow evening (Saturday the 5th) after the show, there will be a reception and event called the Spring Silver Jubilee, celebrating the 25th year of the School of Theater Arts department at UArts. I encourage you to come see the show and stay for the reception afterwards, as it's just one more step in building Alumni relations within the School of Theater Arts.
Once again, MichaelNKat, thank you for your support of the show and the school. I know your D has only just started here, but she's a shining star and soon enough will be in my shoes and ready to graduate.