Stephen Sondheim’s beloved classic Into the Woods is officially heading back to Broadway this summer. Director Lear deBessonet’s hit run of this fan favorite musical at New York City Center Encores! last month will transfer to Broadway beginning June 28, 2022. According to TheaterMania, this eight-week limited run will honor the memory of Stephen Sondheim, who passed away in November 2021 after a legendary career. Sondheim’s legacy as a composer and lyricist has forever influenced the medium of musical theater.
An Encore of Encores!’s Into the Woods
In a tribute to his legacy, Broadway will bring back Into the Woods at the St. James theater this summer, marking the first year since his passing. City Center Encores! featured a star-studded cast. Several members of the company will return for the Broadway revival. Some fan favorites like Heather Headley’s portrayal of the Witch and Neil Patrick Harris’s Baker will not make it into the revival.
Fear not! Worthy Broadway A-Listers will take their respective places. Patina Miller will take over as the Witch and Brian D’Arcy James will replace NPH’s Baker. Furthermore, Philippa Soo will replace Denée Benton as Cinderella and Joshua Henry will replace Jordan Donica as Rapunzel’s Prince. Sara Bareilles remains cast as the Baker’s Wife, and Gavin Creel will reprise his role as the Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince.
Moreover, Ta’Nika Gibson, Annie Golden, Albert Guerzon, Brooke Ishibashi, Kennedy Kanagawa, David Patrick Kelly, Julia Lester, Cole Thompson, David Turner, Jason Forbach, Mary Kate Moore, and Cameron Johnson will remain in the company from the Encores! production.
Star-Studded Through The Years
Twenty years after its last revival, Into the Woods returns for its third revival according to Broadway.com. The original Broadway production starred Joanna Gleason, Chip Zien, and Bernadette Peters. Further, PBS filmed a performance by the original in 1989. Into the Woods was adapted into a movie starring Meryl Streep, James Corden, Johnny Depp, and Emily Blunt, among others in 2014.
Tickets for the limited Broadway run are on sale now and can be purchased here. To learn more about the original City Center production, visit the NYCC website.
