This Magic Moment: Elle Fitzgerald plays Florinda in INTO THE WOODS

Cinderella: "You look beautiful." Florinda: "I know."

Dysfunctional family dynamics abound in INTO THE WOODS, the Tony-winning musical in which the classic fairytale characters you know learn that "happily ever afters" are never what they seem. From Broadway legends Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, INTO THE WOODS finishes its run at the Hickory Community Theatre this weekend, June 18th through 20th.

Making her HCT debut in this show, as Cinderealla's self-absorbed stepsister Florinda, is Elle Fitxgerald.

A Sherrils Ford resident, Fitzgerald is a junior at North Lincoln High School (Go, Knights!) who pursues passions for stage and science through her involvement in the Environmental Club, Enviroton Club, Chemistry Club and Drama Club at NLHS. With an eye to taking on the role of "Dr. Fitzgerald" in her professional career, she has also delighted audiences with such roles as Anna in Lincoln Theatre Guild's production of FROZEN JR., and Flounder in Cherryville Little Theatre's production of THE LITTLE MERMAID. It was at Cherryville that Fitzgerald previously encountered CINDERELLA, playing the title character and earning an Outstanding Best Teen Actress award.

"I love Sondheim and this was a dream show," says Fitzgerald about HCT debut as Florinda in this production. "I get to be a very dramatic character."

Performances of INTO THE WOODS are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 18th, 19th and 20th at 7:30pm.

Tickets are $18 for adults and $12 for youth and students. The production is recommended for ages 13 and up. Tickets are available at hickorytheatre.org or by calling 828‑328‑2283.

INTO THE WOODS is produced in association with Catawba Valley Health Systems. Hickory Community Theatre is a funded affiliate of Arts Culture Catawba and receives sustaining support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Season 77 support is provided by the City of Hickory, A Cleaner World, Shurtape Technologies, Acuña & Acuña Dentistry, and BellaAge.