Music by Stephen Sondheim, Book by James Lapine
Directed by Sean Harris
Musical Direction by Melanie Guerin
Choreography by Darlene Zoller
Suggested Age Range: 10 and up
“Anything can happen in the woods.” This is the promise, and premise, of the much-loved funny and poignant Tony-Award winning epic fairytale about wishes, family, and the choices we make. INTO THE WOODS take us into a magical and bewildering world, full of witches, wolves, giants, and mysterious strangers. A childless baker and his wife endeavor to lift their family curse by journeying into the woods where they encounter Rapunzel and her mother, Cinderella, Jack (of Beanstalk fame), Little Red Riding Hood and other classic fairy tale characters. Their stories become entangled in unexpected ways – revealing what happens after “happily ever after.” Wishes come true here, but at a price.
Week 1: July 28 - August 1
Wednesday - Saturday at 7:00pm
Sunday at 4:00pm
Week 2: August 3 - 8
Tuesday - Thursday at 7:00pm
No shows Friday - Sunday
Week 3: August 10 - 15
Tuesday - Saturday at 7:00pm
Sunday at 4:00pm
Join us for COSTUME NIGHT on Friday, August 13th at the 7pm performance of INTO THE WOODS! Audience members are encouraged to be creative & express an enchanted attire!
During intermission, people who dress up will be invited to the stage, and the audience will vote for Best Costume. Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place!
Need some inspiration? Check out our photo gallery from stop/time dance theater’s 2017 production, “Rockin the Forest".
OPEN MIC: Saturday, August 14th after the show from 10:15-1:00am. Stay or arrive after the show. It's FREE and BYOB. Perform or just watch. Bring sheet music. Accompanist provided.
For Open Mic Night, all participants and audience members are required to be vaccinated and show their vaccination cards when entering the theatre. People will be singing, and it is BYOB; ensuring that everyone is vaccinated will allow us to stay as safe as possible during moments when masks cannot be worn.
Week 4: August 17 - 22
Tuesday - Friday at 7:00pm
Saturday at 7:00pm
Sunday at 4:00pm
*Rain date, Monday August 23rd at 7:00pm
Doors open two hours prior to curtain.
Running Time: 2.5 hours plus intermission
Talk back with the cast after Sunday performances.
Pre-order food: themed food baskets created by Ani's Table. Click for info on our Food page. Order cut-off is 48 hrs. before your scheduled performance.
Photo Credit: Meredith Longo
REVIEWS
Hartford Courant
CT Critics - B. Applebaum
Two On The Aisle
Laurel Andersen (Baker's Wife, INTO THE WOODS; Actor C, SHAKESPEARE 4 KIDS: DREAM SCHEME ) Playhouse on Park Debut! NYC: Match Lit: Juliet ROMEO AND JULIET; Turn to Flesh Productions: Lucrece THE OTHER OTHER WOMAN, Merlin THE TABLE ROUND/THE SIEGE PERILOUS; Barefoot Shakespeare: Ganymede ALL ONE FOREST; NYCFringe: Mr. Crow THE COWARD; The Flea Theater: Kikimora NOT MY MONSTER. Regional: Wyoming Theatre Festival: Helen, THE RESOLUTE; Westchester Playhouse: Helen HOLLYWOOD ARMS; two rep seasons with Adirondack Shakespeare. Upcoming: DEAD ENDERS (web series). Laurel is also a playwright. laurelandersen.com
Kara Arena (Hermia, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM; Cinderella, INTO THE WOODS): Playhouse on Park Debut! Selected credits: THE WINTER’S TALE, TWELFTH NIGHT (7SSC), EVITA, FROST NIXON, OBAMA-OLOGY (Bay Street Theater), PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK (Goodspeed), SPRING AWAKENING (Irondale). Training: The Boston Conservatory, William Esper Studio of Acting. karaarena.com @karaarena
Olivia Rose Barresi (Helena, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM; Cinderella’s Mom/Stepmother, INTO THE WOODS) Playhouse on Park Debut! Red Bull Theater: Gallathea GALLATHEA; Radio Shakespeare Lab: The Bastard KING JOHN; The Tank: Hermes PROMETHEUS BOUND; Counterclaim: Mainie Jellett FEMALE NUDE SEATED. Drama League: Vladimir/Olivia THE SAME SHIRT SHOW, PART 2. MA LAMDA, BFA Boston University. Love to all for this trip through the woods! oliviarosebarresi.com.
Chris Bellinger (Oberon/Theseus, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM; Narrator/ Mysterious Man, INTO THE WOODS) Playhouse on Park Debut! American Shakespeare Center: Posthumous CYMBELINE, Uncle John THE GRAPES OF WRATH, Oberon/Theseus A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM, Julius Caesar JULIUS CAESAR, Exeter HENRY V, Chausible THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, Jacob Marley/ Old Joe A CHRITSMAS CAROL. Chris earned his BA from Clemson. He resides in the Baltimore Metro area.
Katie Brough (Snug/Peaseblossom, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM; Swing, INTO THE WOODS; Performer, THE GREEN SHOW) Playhouse on Park Debut! Opera House Players: Minstrel/Dancer SOMETHING ROTTEN!; Kingswood Oxford High School: Velma Kelly CHICAGO, Loggaine 25TH ANNUAL..., Izzy RABBIT HOLE; Wethersfield Teen Theatre: Elle Woods LEGALLY BLONDE. Katie is looking forward to returning to Boston Conservatory this fall for her sophomore year as a Musical Theatre BFA student. Thanks to Mom, Dad, Tim, Sam, & Paul the Cat.
Bianca Day (Florinda, INTO THE WOODS; Understudy, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM; Performer, THE GREEN SHOW) Playhouse on Park Debut! Applause New York: Rusty FOOTLOOSE, Sue Snell CARRIE; Disney Workshop: Mal DESCENDANTS; Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts: Bebe A CHORUS LINE; French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts: Velma CHICAGO, Katherine NEWSIES. Bianca just completed her freshman year as a theater studies major at Penn State. Bianca is a West Hartford native and a 2020 graduate of Hall High School as well as The Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts.
Jack Dillon (Demetrius, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM; Cinderella’s Prince/The Wolf, INTO THE WOODS) is thrilled to be making his Playhouse on Park Debut! Regional: Connecticut Repertory Theatre: William Shakespeare SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE; Hyman AS YOU LIKE IT; Polynices ANTIGONE. Peterborough Players: Christopher Wren THE MOUSETRAP; Tv/Film: Fx/Hulu AVE; Voiceover: QCODE EDITH with Academy Award nominee Rosamund Pike. Jack is a 2020 UCONN BFA acting graduate and is thrilled to be back on stage! Check him out at jackdillonactor.com and jackdillonvo.com; Insta: @jackdillonofficial.
Robert Denzel Edwards (Lysander, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM; The Baker, INTO THE WOODS) Playhouse on Park Debut! Syracuse Stage: Nilo MADNESS, IN THE CLEARING OF BLUE; Redhouse Arts Center: Jake Laurents IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE; Vincent STILL WAITING ; Hangar Theatre: Fred A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Ensemble KINKY BOOTS; Paul Robeson PAC: Grif KILL MOVE PARADISE; Cherry Arts: Evaristo THE FAN; Robert would like to thank God and everyone else who has helped him reach this point in his career. He hopes you enjoy the show! @robertdenzeledwards www.robertdenzel.com
Hallie Friedman (Rapunzel, INTO THE WOODS; Understudy, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM; Performer, THE GREEN SHOW) Playhouse on Park Debut! The Hartt School: Masha THREE SISTERS; Hortense, Minerva, Russian Sonia SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY; Mrs. Swanson MIDDLETOWN. New Works: Lin THE KIDS TABLE (World Premiere); ensemble, workshop of SHEL. Hallie will be a Senior Actor Training major at The Hartt School with a minor in Psychology. Hallie is very excited and thankful to be a part of Playhouse On Park’s summer season and can’t wait to get started!
Jackie Garmone (Little Red, INTO THE WOODS; Actor B, SHAKESPEARE 4 KIDS: DREAM SCHEME; Performer, THE GREEN SHOW) Playhouse on Park Debut! The Hartt School: Starveling A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM; soloist LADIES’ CHOICE CABARET (dir. Michael O’Flaherty); Rosie (“Two Ladies”) CABARET (dir. Ricky Oliver, canceled due to covid); Lenny Magrath CRIMES OF THE HEART; Lancaster Opera House: Chelsea THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS. Jackie is a rising senior at The Hartt School of Music for a BFA in Musical Theatre.
Zoë Goslin (Hippolyta/Titania; Jack’s Mom/Giant/Granny): Playhouse on Park Debut! Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival: Mark Antony/Soothsayer JULIUS CAESAR (Touring Company); The Tank Theatre: Melandre OLD NAMES FOR WILDFLOWERS; The Schapiro Theatre: Olga THREE SISTERS; The Connelly Theatre: Malcolm MACBETH; International Shakespeare Center (Radio Shakespeare Lab): Ophelia HAMLET, and Richard II in RICHARD II. Film/TV: PBS: The LatinXperience; Wild Obscura Films: STRAY. Zo&eum; trained at Northwestern University, and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.
Tania Kass (Egeus/Quince, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM; The Witch, INTO THE WOODS) Playhouse on Park Debut! Downstage Central Theater: She DON’T LET ME DOWN; Midtown International Theater Festival: Psychiatrist A MOTHER’S HEART; Older Woman MIDNIGHT ON A MONDAY; Teatro Nazionale: Mrs. Potts/Mme de la Grande Bouche BEAUTY AND THE BEAST; Sala Uno Theater: Mrs. Lovett SWEENEY TODD; Bologna Opera House: Mrs. Peachum, DUKE ELLINGTON’S THE BEGGAR’S HOLIDAY; Bernstein School of Musical Theater: Mrs. Phagan, PARADE; Baker’s Wife, INTO THE WOODS; Ensemble RAGTIME.
Danny Kelly (Steward, INTO THE WOODS; Understudy, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM; Performer, THE GREEN SHOW) Playhouse on Park Debut! Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts: Christopher Boone THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME; Ensemble BLOOD AT THE ROOT; Central Academy of Technology and Arts: Ensemble SWEENEY TODD. Danny is a rising sophomore at the University of Connecticut as an exploratory student in the ACES program.
Isaac Kueber (Francis Flute, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM; Rapunzel’s Prince, INTO THE WOODS; Performer, THE GREEN SHOW) Playhouse on Park Debut! Goodspeed Opera House: Bailey PRIVATE GOMER; Young Ramsey CEILIDH; Florida Repertory Theatre: Melchior SPRING AWAKENING; Walden Theatre: Gadshill/Lord Hastings HENRY IV. Isaac is a recent graduate of The Hartt School with a BFA in Musical Theatre.
Jacquez Linder-Long (Jack, INTO THE WOODS; Actor A, SHAKESPEARE 4 KIDS: DREAM SCHEME) Playhouse on Park Debut! Ensemble ANNIE at MUNY; Paul KISS ME KATE; Sky Masterson GUYS & DOLLS; Bernardo WEST SIDE; Horton SEUSSICAL; Singer/Azdak CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE; Tom ACTUALLY; Lead Vocalist/ Performer with AVERY SOMMERS. Jacquez graduated from Dreyfoos School of the Arts in WPB, FL. He would like to thank God and his family for the support, and he is excited for the opportunity. I Peter 4:10.
Miss Sandra Mhlongo (Puck/Philostrate, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM; Lucinda, INTO THE WOODS) Playhouse on Park: Smee PETER AND THE STARCATCHER; The Lenfest theatre of the Arts: Woman1/Nun3/Prostitute1/Nurse3 DON JUAN COMES BACK FROM THE WAR; St George Living History Productions: Sojourner Truth SUFFRAGE AND COURAGE; The Kraine Theatre: Jasmine THE SCAVENGER HUNT; Battery Park Theatre: Cal AND THEN THEY FELL; HBO: Self RECOMMENDED BY HUMANS; Conde Nast: Self CULTURALLY SPEAKING. Here for Good Times, Art and Money! Maybe food too. www.misssandramhlongo.com
Trishawn Paul (Snout/Mustardseed MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM; Performer THE GREEN SHOW; Ensemble, INTO THE WOODS) Playhouse on Park: Eugene Williams THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS; The 224: Nick Piazza FAME JR, Simba THE LION KING; Kinsella: Ensemble WORKING. Trishawn is graduating from the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts this year. He aspires to more opportunities in the theater world while forwarding his secular education.
Sean Harris (Director, INTO THE WOODS) is the co-founder and co-artistic director of Playhouse Theatre Group, Inc. and Playhouse On Park and is thrilled to launch into this new endeavor as the AD of the CT Shakespeare Festival. Directing Credits include: IN THE HEIGHTS (CCC Nomination), PASSING STRANGE, ANGELS IN AMERICA, OF MICE AND MEN, CABARET, HAIR (CCC Nomination), and METAMORPHOSES. Acting Credits include: THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP, THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES, and THE COMPLETE WORKS OF SHAKESPEARE ABRIDGED. Other NYC and Area Directing Credits: The Plaxall Gallery, Stages on the Sound, TBG, The Spence School, Western CT State University, Fifth Letter Productions. Sean has directed three productions at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival including the world-premiere of KISSED THE GIRLS AND MADE THEM CRY by Arlene Hutton, which won Best New/Original work by Broadwayworld in 2015 and was recently published by Playscripts. Sean has a BA in Acting and Directing from DeSales University and an MFA from The New School for Drama/Actors Studio. He is currently on the Theatre Faculty at the Spence School and is also an acting coach for college and graduate school auditions. www.seanharrisnyc.com
