Westport Country Playhouse's INTO THE WOODS Symposium to Feature Joanna Gleason, Chip Zien and More, 5/6

The enhanced programming surrounding Westport Country Playhouse's production of the Stephen Sondheim/James Lapine musical "Into the Woods" will feature a Sunday Symposium reuniting four original cast members from the 1987 Broadway production, on  Sunday, May 6, following the 3 p.m. matinee performance.

The 25^th anniversary cast reunion will include Danielle Ferland, who originated the role of Little Red Riding Hood on Broadway, and currently appears as the Baker's Wife in the Westport production; Joanna Gleason, who won a Tony Award for originating the role of the Baker's Wife; Lauren Mitchell, the original Lucinda; and Chip Zien, the original Baker.  The actors will reminisce about the multiple Tony Award-winning musical that takes the audience to a beguiling and dark place inspired by the Grimm fairy tales. As the fanciful stories of Cinderella, Little Red Ridinghood, Rapunzel and other classic characters intertwine, each is forced to confront the harsh reality of what actually happens after "happily ever after."  The production is directed by Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director, and co-produced with Baltimore's CENTERSTAGE.

The Playhouse Sunday Symposium program, free and open to the public, offers guest speakers' in-depth insights and observations about the production, followed by an interactive dialogue.  It is open to all, including those who attend a performance of "Into the Woods" at another time.  

"Our Sunday Symposium performances provide great theater complemented by lively and stimulating post-show conversations, the first Sunday matinee of every production we do," said David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director, who will moderate the symposium.  "We enjoy presenting these dynamic public conversations with playwrights, actors, directors and scholars. They enrich the theater going experience for our patrons and offer a rare chance to hear from the people who make the work that makes The Playhouse so special."

Student actors from area school productions of "Into the Woods" will attend the matinee and symposium.

Upcoming Sunday Symposia will include a conversation with Virginia Scott, Professor Emerita, Dramaturgy, at the University of Massachusetts and author of "Molière: A Theatrical Life," on Sunday, July 22, following a performance of Molière's "Tartuffe"; a discussion with Tony Award-nominated playwright Chad Beguelin, author of the world-premiere comedy "Harbor" on Sunday, August 29; and a chance to hear what it's like to approach the American classic, "A Raisin in the Sun," as both an actor and director from Phylicia Rashad on Sunday, October 10.  Ms. Rashad won a 2004 Tony Award for Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play for the Broadway revival of "A Raisin in the Sun," and is director of The Playhouse's "A Raisin in the Sun," running October 9 – November 3. 

Twitter followers can join the conversation about "Into the Woods" by using hashtag #CSWCPWOODS.  The production runs May 1 – 26. 

Subscriptions are available (full season 5-Play, seasonal 4-Play, Pick 3 Plans and FlexTix) offering up to 40% off single tickets.  Single ticket prices, starting at $30, are subject to change based on availability.  Buy early for the best prices. 

"Into the Woods" Corporate Partners are BNY Mellon and Northwest Mutual; Production Sponsors are Barbara and John Samuelson and Helen Lee Henderson; Production Partners are Sandra and Neil DeFeo.

The Sunday Symposium is supported, in part, by the White Barn Program of the Lucille Lortel Foundation. 

For more information or tickets, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Tickets are available online 24/7 at www.westportplayhouse.org. Stay connected to The Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse), view Playhouse videos on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse) or get an insider's peek on The Playhouse Blog (www.theplayhouseblog.org).

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