When Joe Kenderes first answered a Near West Theatre casting call for a production of South Pacific in the Summer of 1996, the then-high school sophomore never imagined that he would meet his future wife. Now Joe, 30 from Brunswick and wife Jill Kenderes, 27 from Avon who began performing at Near West in a Summer Teen production in 2004, are both starring in the upcoming Near West Theatre production of Into the Woods, the fairy tale-themed Stephen Sondheim musical. Now, as the Kenderes' prepare to welcome their first child in November, it would seem this performing couple is living a real-life fairy tale, inspired by their experiences throughout the years at Near West Theatre. Video Produced by Geoff Short INTO THE WOODS May 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21 & 22, 2011 Thursday, Friday & Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m. Sunday performances at 3:00 p.m. Tickets: $8 Adults, $6 Children 12 & under To purchase tickets, call: 216-961-6391 or visit www.nearwesttheatre.org. Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Book by James Lapine Originally directed on Broadway by James Lapine Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick An ambivalent Cinderella? A blood-thirsty Little Red Riding Hood? A Prince Charming with a roving eye? A Witch...who raps? They're all among the cockeyed characters in James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim's fractured fairy tale. When a Baker and his Wife learn they've been cursed with childlessness by the Witch next door, they embark on a quest for the special objects required to break the spell, swindling, lying to and stealing from Cinderella, Little Red, Rapunzel and Jack (the one who climbed the beanstalk). Everyone's wish is finally granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later, with disastrous results. What begins as a lively irreverent fantasy becomes a moving lesson about community responsibility and the stories we tell our children. Less