Cast Announced for Fiasco Theater Production of 'Into the Woods'
COMPLETE CAST ANNOUNCED FOR ACCLAIMED FIASCO THEATER PRODUCTION OF “INTO THE WOODS” AT CENTER THEATRE GROUP/AHMANSON THEATRE APRIL 4 THROUGH MAY 14, 2017
The complete cast has been announced for the acclaimed Fiasco Theater production of “Into the Woods” opening April 5, 2017, at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre and playing through May 14, 2017, with one preview performance on April 4. This celebrated new production of the Tony Award-winning musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, is directed by Noah Brody and Ben Steinfeld.
This wildly inventive ensemble piece features versatile actor/musicians who sing, act and play instruments, including Anthony Chatmon II as Lucinda/Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince, Eleasha Gamble as Baker’s Wife, Evan Harrington as Baker, Lisa Helmi Johanson as Little Red Ridinghood/Rapunzel, Bonne Kramer as Cinderella’s Stepmother/Jack’s Mother, Patrick Mulryan as Jack/Steward, Darick Pead as Milky White/Florinda/Rapunzel’s Prince, Evan Rees, Music Director/Pianist, Fred Rose as Mysterious Man, Stephanie Umoh as Witch and Laurie Veldheer as Cinderella/Granny, with Joshua Archer, Sean Peter Forte, Javier Ignacio, Kate Moore and Alanna Saunders.
“The key element in every Fiasco show is the sense of ensemble that the audience sees on stage. What you’re seeing is not a group of individuals, but an actual group—like seeing a band or a choir. We’re really listening, breathing and thinking together,” said Steinfeld, who is also co-artistic director of Fiasco Theater.
“Into the Woods” includes memorable songs like “Children Will Listen” and “No One Is Alone.” Mind the wolf, heed the witch and honor the giant in the sky in this extraordinary musical about the power of wishes and what really happens after they come true. The award-winning musical has been mounted with boundless imagination: a witty and wild theatrical reinvention of a beloved modern classic.
Scenic design for “Into the Woods” is by Derek McLane, costume design by Whitney Locher, lighting design by Christopher Akerlind, sound design by Darron L West and Charles Coes, orchestrations by Frank Galgano and Matt Castle, music supervision by Matt Castle and choreography is by Lisa Shriver.
The acclaimed Fiasco Theater production of “Into the Woods” is presented by the Dodgers (the Tony Award–winning producers of the original “Into the Woods” with Bernadette Peters, and of its revival with Vanessa Williams, “Jersey Boys,” “Matilda”), along with NETworks Presentations (the Lincoln Center Theater production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “South Pacific,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “War Horse”).
Unanimously revered and extended twice at Roundabout Theatre Company, “Into the Woods” became New York’s surprise hit of the 2015 season, followed by a celebrated engagement at the Menier Chocolate Factory in London.
The popular film adaptation of “Into the Woods” by Walt Disney Pictures premiered in 2014 with Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Emily Blunt, James Corden and Anna Kendrick, and was critically and commercially successful. Already in the top five of the most successful movie musical adaptations ever, it was nominated for three Academy Awards and three Golden Globes.
Bank of America is the season sponsor for the Ahmanson Theatre and Delta Airlines is the official airline sponsor.
Center Theatre Group, one of the nation’s preeminent arts and cultural organizations, is Los Angeles’ leading nonprofit theatre company, programming seasons at the 736-seat Mark Taper Forum and 1600 to 2000-seat Ahmanson Theatre at The Music Center in Downtown Los Angeles, and the 317-seat Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. In addition to presenting and producing the broadest range of theatrical entertainment in the country, Center Theatre Group is one of the nation’s leading producers of ambitious new works through commissions and world premiere productions and a leader in interactive community engagement and education programs that reach across generations, demographics and circumstance to serve Los Angeles.
Tickets for “Into the Woods” are available by calling (213) 972-4400, online atCenterTheatreGroup.org or by visiting the Center Theatre Group box office located at the Ahmanson Theatre. Tickets range from $25 – $125 (ticket prices are subject to change). The Ahmanson Theatre is located at The Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles, 90012.
NOAH BRODY (Co-Director). Noah Brody is an actor, director, writer and teacher. He is a co-artistic director and head of producing for Fiasco Theater. Noah has co-directed and acted in Fiasco's productions of “Into the Woods,” “Measure for Measure,” “Twelfth Night” and “Cymbeline,” which received the 2012 Off-Broadway Award for best revival. This spring, he will appear in their production of “Two Gentlemen of Verona.” Noah has acted at theatres around the country and in Europe, appeared shirtless on soaps, headless on a crime drama, and as a dismembered torso on some underwear boxes. He teaches acting, voice and text through Fiasco and the NYU Gallatin School summer Shakespeare Intensive and choreographs fights for money. He spends that money on singing lessons, horn lessons and cat food. Not for him. For the cats. Noah writes plays, including “The Vexed Question,” currently under development with Fiasco. He enjoys long, complicated novels and being in physical peril. He is a proud graduate of the Brown-Trinity MFA Acting program.
BEN STEINFELD (Co-Director). Ben Steinfeld is an actor, director, teacher and musician, and is co-artistic director of the celebrated Fiasco Theater. Ben was seen on Broadway in the recent Roundabout Theatre Company revival of “Cyrano de Bergerac,” and as James Monroe in “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.” His off-Broadway acting/co-directing work includes Fiasco’s acclaimed productions of “Cymbeline” at Theatre for a New Audience and the Barrow Street Theatre, and “Measure for Measure” at The New Victory. Selected regional acting work includes: “Into the Woods” (also co-director, McCarter), “Misalliance” (Portland Center Stage), “Design for Living” (Williamstown), “Room Service” (Westport), and 10 plays with Trinity Rep. Ben’s television and film work includes HBO’s Muhammad Ali’s “Greatest Fight,” “The Good Wife,” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.” Ben co-authored an essay for the new book “Living with Shakespeare” (Random House), and is an artist-in-residence with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. He is a graduate of Brown University and the Brown/Trinity MFA Program.
FIASCO THEATER is an ensemble theatre company created by graduates of the Brown University/Trinity Rep MFA acting program. Past shows include “Cymbeline” (TFANA/Barrow Street), “Into the Woods” (Roundabout, Old Globe, McCarter, Menier Chocolate Factory), “Measure for Measure” (The New Victory Theater), “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” (Folger/TFANA) and “Twelfth Night.” “Cymbeline” was presented off-Broadway twice, for nearly 200 performances, and was honored with the 2012 Off-Broadway Alliance Award for best revival. “Into the Woods” garnered the 2015 Lucille Lortel Award for Best Revival. Every year, Fiasco offers the Free Training Initiative — a three-week, conservatory-level classical acting intensive for professional actors, completely free of charge to students. Fiasco has been in residence with Duke University, Marquette University, LSU and NYU-Gallatin. Their work has been developed at the Sundance Theatre Lab, the Orchard Project, SPACE at Ryder Farm (upcoming) and the Shakespeare Society, and Fiasco has led master classes at Brown University and NYU. FiascoTheater.com
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March 7, 2017