Strallen and Waddingham to go INTO THE WOODS in London?

According to a report in What'sOnStage.com, British actors Hannah Waddingham and Scarlett Strallen are in talks to play the Witch and Cinderella, respectively, in the Open Air Theatre's upcoming revival of Stephen Sondheim's INTO THE WOODS. 

Waddingham was recently seen in Trevor Nunn's production of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, and has previously played the role of the Lady of the Lake in the West End production of SPAMALOT. 

Scarlett Strallen's theatre credits include playing the title role in MARY POPPINS in the West End and on Broadway.

INTO THE WOODS starts familiarly, with the stories of Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and all are tied together with a new story of the Baker and his Wife, who are trying to conceive a child. However, the story soon discloses many twists and changes of fate for each of the characters as they experience the repercussions of their "happily ever after's."

INTO THE WOODS has music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Lapine.  It premiered on Broadway in 1987 with Bernadette Peters as the Witch and Joanna Gleason as the Baker's Wife (both brought critical acclaim to the production, with Gleason winning a Tony for Best Actress in a Musical for this role). INTO THE WOODS won several other Tonys including Best Score and Best Book. 

The Open Air Theatre's production of INTO THE WOODS is co-directed by Timothy Sheader and Liam Steel following their previous collaboration on Romeo and Juliet. Liam also directed the 2009 family production of The Tempest, and Timothy's record-breaking production of Hello, Dolly! received critical success, winning Best Musical in the Evening Standard Theatre Awards. It is scheduled to run August 5 through September 11, 2010.

Tickets for the Open Air Theatre's production of INTO THE WOODS vary in price and can be obtained by visiting openairtheatre.org.

Since the very first production of Twelfth Night in 1932 the Open Air Theatre has thrilled, charmed and entertained thousands of people every summer with its hugely successful seasons of Shakespeare, classics, opera, musicals and family shows.  The theatre is the only permanent professional outdoor theatre in Britain. Its steeply raked auditorium is one of the largest in London with 1240 seats, yet those who attend say it is one of the most intimate. 

Photo Credit: Linda Lenzi, 

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