A Comedic Twist on Classic Fairytales

The Heartland Players Theater held their opening show for their newest play, Into and Out of the Woods on Oct. 10. Into and Out of the Woods is a comedic mash-up of childhood fairytales and classic Disney movies. This family-friendly play portrays cast members reenacting stories ranging from Little Red Riding Hood, Beauty and the Beast, Snow White, Robin Hood, and so much more. Of course, it came with its share of villains, damsels in distress, princesses, and everything in between. Dimanya Pelev, producer of Into and Out of the Woods, commented, “The cast and crew members from Into and Out of the Woods ranged from children to adults 9 and up. Many of the members are from nearby cities including Yucaipa, Redlands, Moreno Valley, Banning, Highland and San Bernardino.” Some cast are longtime members of the Heartland Players Theater. Laura Mapes, mother of Tatum Mapes, who was the Blue Fairy during the play, explained, “Tatum has been going here since she was 5. She’s probably been to the most [theater] camps here.” Pelev mentioned that Heartland is a “…home-away-from-home for dozens of children, teenagers, and young adults. They keep coming back because it’s fun, it’s a relaxed environment and we work as professionally as we can in a community setting.” Into and Out of the Woods is only one of the many plays Heartland puts on. In January they will be putting on the Wizard of Oz, a family favorite, and will also be offering a new Musical Theater Camp for toddlers called Theater for Toddlers in the spring. Heartland has theater camps year round, but most are held in the summer.