Rachael Fogle

In 2010, the Clarksville-based Roxy Regional Theatre staged a production of Stephen Sondheim and James LaPine’s “exquisitely off-kilter and melodiously rapturous musical Into the Woods” which remains firmly ensconced in my memory for its many attributes, not the least of which were the actors (Sarah Levine, Rachael Fogle, Josh Bernaski, Gregory Pember, Jackie Ostick and current artistic director Ryan Bowie) who brought the show so vividly to life and whose performances remain among some of the best we’ve seen at the venue in its 40 years. In fact, we often cite that 2010 Into the Woods (after another fondly remembered production some 15 years even before that) as a turning point, of sorts, in the history of The Roxy.

JULIA MURNEY JOINS REALBUTO FOR FINAL STOP OF NYC WUNDERKIND TOUR, 11/02 AT JOE'S PUB

'Sabrina, the Teenage Witch' star Jenna Leigh Green (Wicked; Bare), Derek Klena (Dogfight; The Bridges of Madison County), current Pippin star Ariana DeBose (Bring It On; Motown), Laurissa Romain (South Pacific; co-star of the upcoming Chris Rock film Top Five), IBTA Award nominee Kimberly Faye Greenberg (Danny and Sylvia; One Night With Fanny Brice), Abigail Ludrof (Off-Broadway's Third Floor; The HVAC Plays), David Colston Corris (Avenue Q; Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), newcomer Thomas Ian Johnson, and Rachael Fogle, the original star of Tim's musical Ghostlight, have joined the cast for Realbuto's Wunderkind tour when it makes its final New York stop at Joe's Pub on Sunday, November 2nd at 7:00 PM.

Due to high advance sales and several sold out performances, Ghostlight has extended at the New York Musical Theatre Festival.

Tony Award Nominee Michael Hayden (Carousel, Judgment at Nuremburg, 'Murder One') and Drama Desk Award winner Rachel York (Victor/Victoria, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) will star in the new musical Ghostlight, which will open on September 26th as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival. According to press notes 'Ghostlight excavates the true story of Olive Thomas, a small-town girl who rises to headline alongside Fanny Brice in the Ziegfeld Follies. Seduced by the decadent world of the theatre, Olive stumbles into a secret affair, an unfulfilling Hollywood marriage, and a downward spiral into drugs and alcohol. An homage to Broadway's Golden Age, Ghostlight captures the glamorous and tragic lives of those who changed the face of the American musical forever.' Hayden will play legendary showman Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr. with York as Billie Burke, his scorned wife, who was most famous for portraying Glinda in The Wizard of Oz.

Daisy Eagan, who is the youngest actress to ever win a Tony Award, will make her long awaited return to the New York stage in the new musical Ghostlight. According to press notes 'Ghostlight excavates the true story of Olive Thomas, a small-town girl who rises to headline alongside Fanny Brice in the Ziegfeld Follies. Seduced by the decadent world of the theater, Olive stumbles into a secret affair, an unfulfilling Hollywood marriage, and a downward spiral into drugs and alcohol. An homage to Broadway's Golden Age, Ghostlight captures the glamorous and tragic lives of those who changed the face of the American musical forever.' Eagan will play the role of Molly Cook, Olive's best friend and fellow showgirl, who ultimately unleashes a major secret.

An Equity staged reading of the new musical Ghostlight will be presented on Thursday, April 21st in New York City at Center Stage New York (48 West 21st Street). The invited industry reading is presented by Massimine/Roytman/Presentations and will begin at 6:00 PM.

Eight of the leading lights of Nashville theater were announced Monday night as the Class of 2010 Honorees for the First Night Nashville Theatre Honors, to be presented Sunday, September 19. The Hard Rock Cafe Nashville's Reverb Room was the setting for the preview party and announcement of honorees.

Some 20-plus years after its Broadway debut - and about 15 or more years since I last saw the musical's first production at The Roxy - Into the Woods retains its powerful storytelling technique, made all the more memorable by Sondheim's beautiful score, and presents a plethora of characters from childhood storybooks in a way that remains contemporary and compelling. With Tom Thayer's strong direction and artistic vision, this production soars, taking audiences along for an imaginative and creative journey.

The Roxy Regional Theatre ventures into the fractured fairy tale world of James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim's Tony Award-winning INTO THE WOODS, beginning Friday, July 16, at 8pm.

The Roxy Regional Theatre ventures into the fractured fairy tale world of James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim's Tony Award-winning INTO THE WOODS, beginning Friday, July 16, at 8pm.