INTO THE WOODS at the Garden Theatre Sondheim Musical Explores The Consequences of Wishes

The Garden Theatre (160 W Plant St.) is proud to present Into the Woods, showing April 28 - May 28, 2017. Into the Woods is presented by Florida Hospital Winter Garden. The show is also sponsored by Outdoor Living Products and Toole's Ace Hardware.

In this critically-acclaimed musical, Into the Woods draws plot lines from the familiar Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales, including Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Jack and the Beanstalk. Writers Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine sought to explore the moral dilemmas of the characters. With this inspiration, they centered around the Baker and his Wife to bring the characters together in one story. The Baker and his Wife journey into the woods striving to lift a witch's curse. Along the way they encounter other fairy tale characters, each of whom possesses something necessary to reverse the curse.

Into the Woods has won many awards including the Tony Award for Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical. In addition to being one of the most widely produced musicals around, the story was adapted into a film in 2014 featuring Meryl Streep and Johnny Depp.

Steve Mackinnon serves as director, bringing a unique vision and setting to the story. MacKinnon has an extensive background in creating live theatrical productions in the Central Florida area, with creative and directing experience with Walt Disney World/Disney Performing Arts, Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Orlando Repertory Theatre, Universal Creative and St. Luke's United Methodist Church. MacKinnon also nurtures the next generation of theatre artists and has worked with hundreds of young people through coaching, camps, classes, and productions throughout the area.

"Into the Woods has resonated with me since I first developed my love for theatre, and I've longed for the opportunity to tackle it," says MacKinnon. "The story, music, and characters have left a long-lasting imprint on my heart, and I am very excited to take the audience down the path to experience this powerful, and often humorous, theatrical experience," adds MacKinnon.

The 19-person professional cast of Into the Woods includes Justin DeLoach as the Narrator, Erin Rementer as Cinderella, Sage Starkey as Jack, Candy Marilyn Heller as Jack's Mother (previous Garden Theatre roles: Mrs. Lovett/Sweeney Todd, Berthe/Boeing Boeing, Cindy Barnes/Hands on a Hardbody), Brance Cornelius* as the Baker, Andrea Stack* as the Baker's Wife, Vicky Campadonico as Cinderella's Stepmother (previous Garden Theatre roles: Olga Mara/Singin' in the Rain, Stella/Bonnie & Clyde), Savannah Simerly as Florinda (previous Garden Theatre roles: Logainne SchwartzandGrubenierre/The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Grace Flaherty as Lucinda, Sharon Yost as Little Red Ridinghood, Shannon Bilo as the Witch, Maddie Tarbox as Cinderella's Mother, Stephen Pugh as the Mysterious Man (previous Garden Theatre roles: Selridge/Biloxi Blues, Roscoe Dexter/Singin' in the Rain), Rob Stack as Wolf/Cinderella's Prince, Stephanie Adams as Granny, Aja Grooms as Rapunzel, Connor Padilla as Rapunzel's Prince, Frank Siano as the Steward (previous Garden Theatre roles: Mr. Mushnik/Little Shop of Horrors, R.F. Simpson/Singin' in the Rain), and Carson Revels as the Narrator Understudy.
*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers, appearing under a special agreement with Actors' Equity Association.

Tickets for Into the Woods are $33 for adults and $29 for seniors and students, with special pricing of $29 for adults and $25 for seniors and students for opening night and Thursday performances. Show times are Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays at 2pm and 8pm, and Sundays at 2pm. There will be one Industry Night performance on Monday, May 8 at 8pm with $15 tickets.

For tickets, visit gardentheatre.org or contact the Box Office at 407-877-GRDN (4736). Groups of 10 or more are eligible for discounts of up to 25% by contacting group sales manager Jana Goupil at 407-877-4736 x208.

Located in the heart of historic downtown Winter Garden on Plant Street, the Garden Theatre is a nonprofit organization committed to enriching, engaging and entertaining through creative experiences. The 299-seat theatre, which re-opened in 2008, is a historic, atmospheric, professional performing arts venue in a Mediterranean Revival style. The Garden Theatre hosts live plays, concerts, movies and more to the residents of and visitors to the city of Winter Garden. For tickets or additional information, contact the Garden Theatre Box Office at 407-877-GRDN (4736) or visit gardentheatre.org.

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