With beguiling lyrics, sumptuous melodies, and a deliciously wicked plot, this Tony Award-winning Stephen Sondheim musical weaves together favorite fairy tales as it picks up where "happily ever after" leaves off. Beloved characters such as Cinderella, her prince, her wicked stepmother and stepsisters, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and his beanstalk), Rapunzel, and her prince are all drawn into the lives of a baker and his wife. The couple's wish to start a family sets in motion a series of twisted events within the confines of the woods that are sure to charm one and all.
Kyrus Keenan Westcott, the production's director and choreographer, notes that the Pennington Players' production comes just after the release of the film adaptation. "Audiences have a unique opportunity to see ‘Into the Woods' in two different mediums," he said. "Our stage production offers the power of live theater performed in Kelsey's uniquely intimate setting. We have no doubt that theater-goers will be fully immersed in this unforgettable story."
The cast features Misha Barker of Plainsboro as Rapunzel; Kyla Mostello Donnelly of Levittown, Pa., as Cinderella's stepmother; Frank Ferrara of West Windsor as the Steward; Christina Kosyla of Lawrence as Cinderella; Taylor Lloyd of Hamilton as Lucinda; Ben Menahem of Plainsboro as Cinderella's Prince; Jenna O'Neill of Hamilton as The Witch; Kevin Palardy of Doylestown, Pa., as Rapunzel's Prince; Natalie Romeo of Piscataway as Little Red Riding Hood; E. Nicole Spadafino of Flemington as Milky White Puppeteer; Julie Stein of Monroe as Florinda; Karl Weigand of Lawrence as Jack; Bill Weir of Chalfont, Pa., as the Narrator; Kara Wilson of Rahway as the Baker's Wife; Jennifer Winn of Ewing as Jack's Mother; and John Zimmerman of Hamilton as the Baker.
In addition to Westcott, the production team includes musical director Mike Gilch, set designer Bryan Schendlinger, costume designer Rusty Miller, stage manager Sally Page, sound designer Wayne Irons and lighting designer Vicki Kaiser. Properties are by Dottie Farina.
Tickets for "Into the Woods" are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, and $16 for students and children. Free parking is available next to the theater. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Kelsey Box Office at 609-570-3333 or online here. Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible. For a complete listing of adult and children's events, visit the Kelsey website or call the box office for a brochure.
Additional show information can be found by visiting www.PenningtonPlayers.org and clicking on "Into the Woods." For updates on Twitter, visit #KelseyIntoTheWoods.
PHOTO: The Baker (John Zimmerman) and his wife (Kara Wilson)
