BWW Previews: Local Stars join INTO THE WOODS at Firehouse Theatre

Riding on the coattails of the show's successful film, Firehouse Theatre presents INTO THE WOODS in Farmers Branch this season, which also includes YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU, OKLAHOMA, BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS and MARY POPPINS. With INTO THE WOODS casting recently announced, Firehouse Theatre, under the direction of Column Award winner Jason Leyva, is currently in rehearsals for this epic stage production, written by the legendary Stephen Sondheim. Having seen Firehouse Theatre's most recent musical, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, the standards for this season have been set excitingly high. To read my review of that production, click here!

Leading the cast is Christine Chambers as the Witch. Ms. Chambers recently withdrew from the Actor's Equity union, having previously performed as Eva Peron in the national tour of EVITA, as well as several performances off-Broadway. Ms. Chambers has performed leading roles in BRIGADOON, WEST SIDE STORY, SHE LOVES ME and THE KIND AND I. She is a multiple award-winning actress, with awards from both Irene Ryan and the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Most recently, she was onstage in Lyric Stage's production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF.

Bethany Lorentzen returns to Texas to perform the iconic role of Cinderella. Ms. Lorentzen recently graduated from Arizona State University, where she studied Music Theatre Performance. While in Arizona, Ms. Lorentzen received the prestigious AriZoni Award of Excellence for her portrayal of Laurey in Mesa Encore Theatre's production of OKLAHOMA. She was also selected by Don Bluth (of Disney and Fox Animation Studios fame) to play Dorothy in his production of THE WIZARD OF OZ. Additionally, she performed as Phillia in A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, Thea in SPRING AWAKENING, and in professional productions of LES MISERABLES, SIDE SHOW and MIRACLE ON 34th STREET. She returns to "the woods," having played Little Red Riding Hood in a previous staging of the show.

Rounding out the cast is John Pfaffenberger as the Baker; Elisa Danielle James (a 2013 Column Award nominee, who recently starred as "THE DROWSY CHAPERONE" at Firehouse) as the Baker's Wife; David Swanner as the Narrator; Christian Genco as Cinderella's Prince and the Wolf; Jacob Catalano as Rapunzel's Prince; Sadie Levya as Little Red; Mary Ridenour as Rapunzel; Lucia Welch as Cinderella's Stepmother; Nicole Neely as Florinda; Heather Sturdevant as Lucinda; Ryan Nelson as the Steward; Brigitte Goldman as Jack's Mother; Celi Bowling as the Giant, Cinderella's Mother and Granny; Elisa Genco as Snow White; Cabie Lamb as Sleeping Beauty; Derek Lorin as Cinderella's Father, and Pat Watson as the Mysterious Man. Jennings Humphries and Joshua Hahlen (a 2015 Column Award nominee) will alternate the roles of Jack and Milky White.

INTO THE WOODS performs at Firehouse Theatre in Farmers Branch from April 16th-May 3rd. Tickets and more information can be found online at www.thefirehousetheatre.com or by calling 972-620-3747.

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