New Village Arts Theatre Presents INTO THE WOODS 9/22-10/31

To help celebrate its 10th Anniversary, New Village Arts Theatre is producing its first musical. Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's INTO THE WOODS is one of the most cherished musicals of our generation, and the production will be led by one of the hottest directors in San Diego, James Vasquez. New Village Arts Ensemble members Sandra Ellis-Troy and Manny Fernandes, Actors Equity Members Randall Dodge and Steve Gunderson and internationally known cabaret star Devlin (as The Witch) lead a cast of 18 through this musical journey into the land of fairy tales. With musical direction by Elan McMahan and Charlie Reuter, and a three person orchestra, this intimate experience will be unlike any production of INTO THE WOODS experienced before. The production will be playing at New Village Arts Theatre (2787 State Street, Carlsbad Village) from September 22 - October 31, 2010. The official opening night is September 25 at 8 PM. Tickets can be purchased at www.NewVillageArts.org or by calling 760-433-3245.

Once Upon a Time...a baker and his wife embark on a quest into the woods, to fulfill the witch next door's request and life a curse that has kept them from having a child. Along the way, they meet Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (and his beanstalk), Cinderella, two handsome princes and a motley assortment of other characters, all on quests of their own. Stephen Sondheim's enormously popular musical answers the question of what really happens after "Happily Ever After" and includes some of the most beautiful songs in the musical theatre canon, including "Giants in the Sky", "Children Will Listen" and "No One Is Alone."

Stephen Sondheim, who just celebrated his 70th birthday, is considered one of the most important musical theatre artists of all time. His shows include Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, Company, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Follies and many more.

The San Diego Union Tribune called James Vasquez "the best young director in San Diego". Recent directing/choreography credits include: Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2003-2010), Boeing-Boeing (Old Globe Theatre), the west coast premieres of [title of show] and Twist (Diversionary Theatre), Sweeney Todd, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and A Little Night Music (Cygnet Theatre). Along with his partners Mark Holmes and Carrie Preston, Mr. Vasquez is co-founder of Daisy 3 Pictures. Their first two feature films, 29th and Gay (TLA Releasing, Here TV) and Ready? OK! (Wolfe Video, LOGO) have played national and international film festivals, with Ready? OK! taking top honors in Seattle, North Carolina, and San Diego. As an actor, Mr. Vasquez has appeared on film, television, Off-Broadway, regional, and local stages. He is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Drama.

The cast includes NVA Ensemble Members Sandra Ellis-Troy and Manny Fernandes with Actors Equity Members Randall Dodge and Steve Gunderson, New York cabaret sensation Devlin as The Witch, and a full cast of 18 bringing the world of INTO THE WOODS to life. Ms. Ellis-Troy just completed a highly praised run as Aunt Eller in Moonlight Stage Productions Oklahoma! and Mr. Fernandes was awarded the 2008 San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Performance in NVA's Golden Boy. Both Mr. Dodge and Mr. Gunderson are two of the most accomplished musical theatre performers in San Diego, appearing on stages across town including The Old Globe, The La Jolla Playhouse, Lamb's Players Theatre, The San Diego Rep and others. And as the Witch, Devlin brings her powerhouse presence and amazing voice, which has sold out shows at Helen's, Don't Tell Mama and The Metropolitan Room in New York City.

NVA has assembled some of the finest designers in San Diego to bring the fairy tales to full, exuberant life. Ensemble Member Tim Wallace will be designing the set and transporting the audience INTO THE WOODS. Shirley Pierson will be designing costumes, and her unforgettable designs include Sweeney Todd and A Christmas Carol at Cygnet Theatre and Jungle Book and Archangels Don't Play Pinball (Patte Award for Theatre Excellence) at San Diego Stage University. Jason Bieber, who recently received rave reviews for his design of The Seven Year Itch at NVA will be designing lights and Ensemble Member Bonnie Durben will be creating the magical props. Ensemble Member Sam Sherman serves as the Stage Manager.

INTO THE WOODS is New Village Arts' first musical production in ten years of producing theatre. Normally seen in very large theatres, NVA's production of INTO THE WOODS will return to its storytelling roots. With only 100 seats in the audience, this will be an intimate, personal rendition of INTO THE WOODS that will be unlike anything experienced before.

"Joyous...non-stop pleasure...The best show yet from the most creative mind in the musical theater today" - Time Magazine
Ticket prices range from $33 - $38 for all performances, with the exception of three pay-what-you-can previews on September 22, 23 & 24 at 8 PM. Showtimes are Thursdays and Fridays at 8 PM; Saturdays at 3 PM & 8 PM and Sundays at 2 PM (no 3 PM show on Opening Night, September 25). The theatre is located in the heart of Carlsbad Village, at 2787 State Street. Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.NewVillageArts.org or calling 760-433-3245.