Photo Flash: Stephen Sondheim Gives Backstage Praise to Cast of McCarter Theatre's INTO THE WOODS

Musical theatre icon Stephen Sondheim attended the McCarter Theatre production of Into the Woods as reimagined by Fiasco Theater last night, before posing with the cast after the show. Scroll down for a photo of the group backstage!

Mr. Sondheim, who was visibly moved by the performance, called the production "inventive" and told the cast that he could tell they were having a good time and so was the audience. He confided to the company, "there's a lot to be learned which I am both surprised and excited about." Referring to Ben Brantley's review, Mr. Sondheim said the production "certainly lives up to the hype."

Thanks to sold-out houses, great reviews and nightly standing ovations, the production (with music and lyrics by Sondheim and book by James Lapine), has been extended through June 9.

For tickets, call (609) 258-2787; order online at www.mccarter.org; or in person at 91 University Place in Princeton, NJ.

Photo Credit: Matt Pilsner

Top Row: Jennifer Mudge (cast), Andy Grotelueschen (glasses, cast), Paul L. Coffey (cast), Matt Castle (music director/pianist), Patrick Mulryan (cast), Noah Brody (Into the Woods co-director/Fiasco co-artistic director/cast), Liz Hayes (cast) and Jessie Austrian (Fiasco co-artistic director/cast). Middle Row: Claire Karpen (cast), Ben Steinfeld (Into the Woods co-director/Fiasco co-artistic director/cast), Stephen Sondheim, McCarter Producing Director Mara Isaacs. Bottom Row: Production Stage Manager Cheryl Mintz, McCarter Artistic Director Emily Mann, Emily Young (cast), and McCarter Associate Producer Adam Immerwahr.