Emily Skinner to Star in Reimagined INTO THE WOODS at TUTS; Robert Longbottom to Direct!

In a monumental move, Tony Award nominee Robert Longbottom will serve as director and choreographer for a newly conceptualized production of Into The Woods at Theatre Under The Stars this holiday season.

The iconic show, by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, will run in Houston from December 6 - 18, 2016 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Tony-nominated actress Emily Skinner will star as The Witch.

This production is being led by a powerhouse team of Broadway design superstars: Ann Hould-Ward will revisit her original 1987 costume design, Kevin Depinet will create the scenic design, and Ken Billington will design the lighting.

Robert (Bobby) Longbottom was nominated for a Tony Award for his work on the 2002 Broadway Revival production of Flower Drum Song. Other credits include Side Show (director / choreographer Original 1997 Broadway production), Bye Bye Birdie (2009 Broadway Revival), Dreamgirls (2009 Apollo National Tour), and Carnival (2007 Kennedy Center production). This will be Longbottom's first time working with TUTS.

Ann Hould-Ward, the award winning costume designer of the Original Broadway production of Into The Woods, will revisit the woods as she approaches the material for the first time in nearly 30 years for the TUTS production. Using a large collection of the actual costumes from the 1987 Broadway run, Hould-Ward and team will undergo an extensive refurbishment process to restore the garments to their original conditions, while adding a large amount of new costuming to this production.

Hould-Ward is known and loved by Houstonians for her work in the creation of the original costume designs for Disney's Beauty and the Beast here at Theatre Under The Stars in 1993 before the show became an international phenomenon on Broadway and beyond.

"Beauty was a life changing experience where the people of Houston were generous enough to help us build and learn about our show before taking it on to Broadway. I will be happy to be back and experience your area and audiences again!" said Hould-Ward.

She went on to win a Tony Award in 1994 for Beauty and The Beast.

As those familiar with the show will remember, the transformation the Witch undergoes is one of the most magical moments of the show. Hould-Ward was able to offer some insight into what audiences can expect this time around.

"I have had a wonderful time working with Bobby Longbottom and Emily Skinner on the story and character of the Witch. I think you will notice the frustration the Witch has with her world and her situation. At every turn she wants to control - like how she tries to control Rapunzel in the tower. The witch will go from ugly to the beautiful version of what she once was in the blink of an eye - she has a magical quality that is a bit of old Hollywood meets fairytale."

Most recently, Hould-Ward designed the costumes for the 2015 revival of The Color Purple.

TUTS Artistic Advisor, Sheldon Epps says, "I am thrilled that we have been able to bring together such a tremendous creative team for our production of this Sondheim classic. I know that Bobby and his collaborators will bring a fresh and exciting vision to the show that will thrill both those who have seen it before, and those who are going Into The Woods for the first time. I have no doubt that they will deliver a great theatrical treat for the holidays and another momentous addition to a TUTS season that is inspiring a new admiration and respect for the company."

Joining the creative team as Musical Director is Charlie Alterman. Alterman has served as Musical Director for a number of Broadway productions including, Next to Normal, the 2011 revival of Godspell and, most recently, Pippin.

Kevin Depinet will be handling scenic design for the production. Depinet, a Chicago-based designer, whose work has been seen on Broadway in productions such as Of Mice and Men and August: Osage County recently gained attention for his work on a production of Smokey Joe's Cafe at the Drury Lane Theatre.

Ken Billington has over 96 Broadway shows to his resume, has been nominated for the Tony Award for Best Lighting Design eight times and in 1997 won for the revival of Chicago, which also garnered him the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lighting Design. Billington was also nominated for a Tony, and won an Outer Critic's Circle Award for Sunday In The Park With George. Mr. Billington was also responsible for the original Broadway production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Emily Skinner originated the lead role of Daisy in the acclaimed 1997 Broadway production of Side Show, James Joyce's The Dead, The Full Monty, Dinner at Eight, Billy Elliot, as well as the acclaimed Actor's Fund Broadway concerts of Dreamgirls and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

The Theatre Under The Stars production of Into The Woods is possible thanks to the generous support of production sponsors Accenture and Locke Lord LLP. Children's MemoriAl Hermann Hospital is the official healthcare partner of Theatre Under The Stars. United Airlines is the official airline partner of Theatre Under The Stars. KTRK ABC13 is the official media partner of Theatre Under The Stars.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.tuts.com. Theatre Under The Stars is a 501c3 Non Profit Organization.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos