Into the Woods (1987) is a musical by James Lapine (book) and Stephen Sondheim (lyrics and music) based on several fairy tales, including “Cinderella”, “Jack and the Beanstalk”, “Little Red Ridinghood” and “Rapunzel”.

Synopsis

When a baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a witch’s curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Seeking out a cow as white as milk, a slipper as pure as gold, hair as yellow as corn and a cape as red as blood, they cross paths with Jack, Cinderella, Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood, all of whom have wishes of their own. But when all of their wishes come true, the consequences of their actions return to haunt them with disastrous results.

2016/2019 Production

Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre: 15 April – 1 May 2016.
Theatre on the Bay: 30 January – 2 March 2019.
Pieter Toerien Theatre at Montecasino: 8 March – 14 April 2019.

Produced by KickstArt Theatre. Direction and Musical Staging: Steven Stead. Musical Direction and Musical Supervision: Drew Rienstra. Choreography: Leigh Meyer. Set Design: Greg King. Lighting Design: Tina le Roux. Costume Design: Neil Stuart Harris. Sound Design: Ross van Wyk.

Cast:  Bryan Hiles (Baker), Jessica Sole (Baker’s Wife), Lisa Bobbert (Witch), Frances Currie (Cinderella), Haylea Hounsom (Rapunzel), Katy Moore (Little Red Ridinghood), Lyle Buxton (Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf), Liesl Coppin (Cinderella’s Stepmother), Graeme Wicks (Jack), Marion Loudon (Jack’s Mother), Darren King (Steward), Alison Cassels (Granny), Nathan Kruger (Rapunzel’s Prince), Sarah Richard (Florinda), Leigh Meyer (Lucinda), Shelley McLean (Cinderella’s Mother), Clare Mortimer (Giant), Peter Court (Narrator/Mysterious Man).

2019 Additions and Replacements: Co-produced by Pieter Toerien Productions. Stage Manager: Alyssa Harrison. Sound and QLab Operator: Jason Bird. Cast: Earl Gregory (Baker), Kate Normington (Witch), Haylea Heyns (Cinderella), LJ Nielson (Rapunzel), Megan Rigby (Little Red Ridinghood), Dianne Simpson (Cinderella’s Stepmother/Granny), Ashleigh Harvey (Lucinda), Candice Van Litsenborgh (Jack’s Mother), Zak Hendricks (Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf), Schoeman Smit (Steward), Michael Richard (Narrator/Mysterious Man), Naret Loots (Puppeteer/Sleeping Beauty), Brandon Moulder (Puppeteer) and Alyssa Harrison (Snow White).

Reviews: Die Burger, Cape Argus, The Cape Robyn, Theatre Scene Cape Town, The Luvvie, The Mercury, Weekend Special. Overall Review Score: 91.

1997 Production

Nico Malan Theatre: Dates unknown.

Produced by CAPAB  Opera. Director: David Matheson. Musical Direction: Graham Scott. Set Design/Costume Design: Michael Mitchell. Lighting Design: Malcolm Hurrell. Sound Design: Robin Shuttleworth.

Cast: Anthea Thompson (Little Red Ridinghood), Glenn Swart, Darryl Nel (Baker), Brenda Radloff, Angela Kilian (Cinderella), Aviva Pelham (Witch), Ralph Lawson, Paul du Toit, Maureen Tyson, Sara Cohen, Jason Crook, Beverley Chiat (Rapunzel), Lindsay Redman (Florinda), Jinny Sagorin (Lucinda) and Russell Boast (Steward).

Reviews: None filed. Overall Review Score: TBC.

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