Get the cast for INTO THE WOODS at BIG ARTS Herb Strauss Theater

Original logo created by Martin Murphy

Stephen Sondheim musical "Into the Woods" opens Jan. 10 at the BIG ARTS Herb Strauss Theater. The show looks at the "after" in "happily ever after" and answers what happens when wishes really do come true.

A baker, Rapunzel, Cinderella, Jack (of Beanstalk infamy) and Little Red Riding Hood all go "into the woods," belting out the complex Sondheim tunes. A magical first half that seems to wrap up with "happily ever after" leads into a much darker second half.

The show really is all about sex, drugs and naughty things. I'd love to do an ultra-modern, super glam version where "the woods" is really a nightclub called "The Woulds," with the witch as the bartender (or drug dealer - she grows/sells "greens" you know). It would be fabulous.

Here's the cast. Trey Compton (Jack), Anne Chamberlain (Cinderella), Elizabeth Urbanczyk (Witch), John Ramsey (Baker), Cloe Sabin (Baker’s Wife), Jessica Humphrey (Little Red Riding Hood), Julie Arensman (Jack’s Mother), Bobby Conte (Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince), Sami Doherty (Rapunzel), Taylor Murphy Hale (Rapunzel’s Prince), Miguel Citron (Mysterious Old Man/Narrator), Dianne Hembling (Cinderella’s Stepmother), Sabrina Chantel (Florinda), PJ McCready (Steward) and Brittany Albury (Lucinda).

Kathy Deitch directs.

"Into the Woods" runs Jan. 10 - Feb. 15. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday with 2 p.m. matinees on Wednesday, Jan. 22 & Wednesday, Feb. 5. Additional 4 p.m. Sunday twilight shows available on Jan. 12, 19, 26 and Feb. 9.

Tickets are $42 for adults and $5 for children and students with a valid ID. Call the BIG ARTS Marks Box Office at (239) 395-0900, Strauss Theater box office at (239) 472-6862 or bigarts.org. The BIG ARTS Herb Strauss Theater is located at 2200 Periwinkle Way on Sanibel, opposite the Island Cow restaurant.



Wander Into The Woods: The Tony Award-Winning Musical Opens at Herb Strauss Theater January 10

Sanibel, FL (December 31, 2013) – What happens after happily ever after? Find out in the Tony-award winning musical, Into The Woods, opening at BIG ARTS Herb Strauss Theater on January 10 at 8 pm.

The Stephen Sondheim/James Lapine beloved musical is a retelling of classic Grimm stories and audiences will be enraptured as a childless baker and his wife attempt to lift a family curse by journeying into the woods. During their journey, the couple will encounter Rapunzel, Cinderella, Jack (of Beanstalk infamy) and Little Red Riding Hood. Follow along as these iconic characters experience a new cautionary tale about the responsibility of having your wishes come true.

The fairy tale themed show features one of the largest casts ever to perform at Herb Strauss Theater, including Trey Compton (Jack), Anne Chamberlain (Cinderella), Elizabeth Urbanczyk (Witch), John Ramsey (Baker), Cloe Sabin (Baker’s Wife), Jessica Humphrey (Little Red Riding Hood), Julie Arensman (Jack’s Mother), Bobby Conte (Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince), Sami Doherty (Rapunzel), Taylor Murphy Hale (Rapunzel’s Prince), Miguel Citron (Mysterious Old Man/Narrator), Dianne Hembling (Cinderella’s Stepmother), Sabrina Chantel (Florinda), PJ McCready (Steward) and Brittany Albury (Lucinda).

Director Kathy Deitch will be making her Sanibel debut and her credits include producing Sheet Cake Sliding (Theatre of NOTE), performing in the Hollywood Bowl production of Rent (directed by Neil Patrick Harris) as well as appearing in the television series, Raising Hope and in the original Broadway cast of Wicked.

Tickets to Into The Woods are $42 for adults and only $5 each for students with valid student ID as well as for children 17 and under for all Herb Strauss Theater performances. Series sampler subscriptions, special discount packages and individual tickets for 2013-2014 season are on sale now. Groups of ten or more may also be eligible for additional discounts.

Tickets may be purchased online at BIGARTS.org, by calling BIG ARTS Marks Box Office at 239-395-0900 or Herb Strauss Theater Box Office (239) 472-6862 and at BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel, FL 33957.

Starfish Grille is hosting a pre-show opening night reception starting at 7 pm on Friday, January 10, and is also offering a complimentary dessert at the restaurant when you present your Herb Strauss Theater ticket envelope from any performance of the 2013-2014 season.

A non-profit 501(c)3 organization, programming at BIG ARTS is made possible through the generous support of more than 300 dedicated volunteers  and donors as well as individual and corporate sponsors, including Herb Strauss Theater Season Sponsor The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company and Into The Woods Show Sponsor ‘Tween Waters Inn.