Skylight Music Theatre presents Stephen Sondheim’s most popular work, Into The Woods

One of Sondheim’s most popular works, Into the Woods is a clever and witty award winning Broadway musical that brings together the fairytale characters from The Brothers Grimm with the Broadway magic of Stephen Sondheim to create a modern classic. The story follows a baker and his wife who wish to have a child, Cinderella who wishes to attend the King’s Festival, and Jack who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a witch’s curse, they set off on a journey to break it. Everyone’s wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results.

Stage Director Edwin Cahill spoke about his new production, “As I began the exciting, yet daunting task of creating this new production of Into the Woods, my first goal was to have as much fun telling the story as possible. To that end, we preserved the fantastical, medieval Black Forest of the original Brothers Grimm fairy tales while also keeping in mind the Jungian undertones that inspired Lapine and Sondheim for their ‘woods’. I also embraced Lapine’s American fairy tale invention by fashioning the Baker and the Baker’s Wife as progressive, gluten-free bakers from downtown Milwaukee who will collide with classic characters dressed in iconic costumes of the traditional fairy tales. At the same time, I remembered Sondheim’s statement, ‘a folk-tale without a moral is merely a whimsy.’ With that in mind, ‘no one is alone,’ or the obligation to community is the overriding moral focus of our production.”

Cahill continued, “On a personal note, I have a deep connection to Stephen Sondheim’s work and consider him to be our greatest living American composer. I was very fortunate to work with Mr. Sondheim directly on the National Tour of the 2005 Broadway Revival of Sweeny Todd. He is a genius, a gentleman, and hero to me so directing Into the Woods for Skylight is indeed an honor and a joy.”

Music Director Mark Mandarano added, “I very much admire the innovations taking place at Skylight, as well as the high level of artistry among the performers. It is a privilege to collaborate with the team at such a highly respected institution. We have assembled an ideal cast for this production. Into the Woods is such a multi-layered show that takes familiar elements of fairy tales and follows them to unexpected, but deep and rich conclusions — with such marvelous, catchy and delightful music along the way. I’m looking forward to losing myself in the Woods!”

CREDITS
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by James Lapine

PRODUCTION TEAM
Stage Director, Edwin Cahill
Music Director, Mark Mandarano
Assistant Music Director, Anne Van Deusen
Scenic Designer, Peter Dean Beck**
Costume Designer, Shima Orans
Lighting Designer, Peter Dean Beck**
Sound Designer, Gary Ellis
Stage Manager, Kelly Bowes Turner*

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association
**Proud member of United Scenic Artists

ORCHESTRA
Flute & Piccolo, Heather Johnson
Clarinet, Chris Zello
Bassoon, Andrew Jackson
Horn, Richard Tremarello
Horn, Anne Maliborski
Trumpet, Tom Schlueter
Percussion, Michael Lorenz
Violin, Catherine Bush
Violin, Joe Ketchum
Viola, Olga Tuzhilk
Viola, Brek Renzelman
Cello, Scott Cook
Bass, Tom McGirr
Keyboard, Ann Bastian

CAST
Narrator/Mysterious Man, Ray Jivoff*
Baker, Jonathan Altman
Baker’s Wife, Karen Estrada
Witch, Susan Spencer*
Cinderella, Natalie Ford
Little Red Riding Hood, Kaylee Annable
Jack, Ryan Stajmiger
Cinderella’s Prince/ The Wolf, Joe Fransee
Rapunzel, Anna Pfefferkorn
Rapunzel’s Prince, Ian Toohill
Granny/ Giant/ Cinderella’s Mom, Diane Lane
Jack’s Mom, Rhonda Rae Busch
Stepmother, Liz Norton
Florinda/ Sleeping Beauty, Samantha Sostarich
Lucinda/ Snow White, Katy Johnson
Steward/ Cinderella’s Father, Ryan Cappleman
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association

MUSICAL NUMBERS

Act I
Prologue – Company
Cinderella at the Grave – Cinderella, Stepmother
Hello, Little Girl – Wolf & Little Red Ridinghood
The Cow as White as Milk – Baker & Baker’s Wife
I Guess This is Goodbye – Jack
Maybe They’re Magic – Baker & Baker’s Wife
Maybe They’re Magic (Reprise) – Baker
I Know Things Now – Little Red Ridinghood
A Very Nice Prince – Cinderella & Baker’s Wife
First Midnight – Company
Giants in the Sky – Jack
Agony – Cinderella’s Prince & Rapunzel’s Prince
A Very Nice Prince (Reprise) – Cinderella
Act 1 Finale – Narrator & Company

Act II
Prologue – Company
Agony (Reprise) – Cinderella’s Prince & Rapunzel’s Prince
Witch’s Lament – Witch
Any Moment – Cinderella’s Prince & Baker’s Wife
Moments in the Woods – Baker’s Wife
You’re Fault – Jack, Baker, Little Red Ridinghood, Witch & Cinderella
Last Midnight – Witch
No More – Baker & Mysterious Man
No One is Alone – Cinderella, Baker, Little Red Ridinghood & Jack
Act 2 Finale – Company

TICKET INFORMATION

Performances of Into The Woods will take place in the Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway in the Historic Third Ward of Milwaukee. Tickets start at $22.50 and can be purchased in person at the Broadway Theatre Center Box Office or by calling (414) 291-7800 Monday – Sunday from noon – 6:00 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.skylightmusictheatre.org. Group, student, senior and other discounts may also be available. Ticket prices are subject to change.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Additional information can be found at

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