Centerstage Presents INTO THE WOODS, Opening Tomorrow

The cast and crew of Into the Woods are rehearsing to take the stage of The Pearlstone Theater tomorrow, March 7, with CENTERSTAGE's Into the Woods, a co-production with Westport Country Playhouse. Leading the adventure is director Mark Lamos (also Artistic Director at Westport), who last visited CENTERSTAGE with his staging of Sondheim's A Little Night Music.

In addition to the original tales by The Brothers Grimm that inspired Sondheim and Lapine, Lamos found inspiration for his staging in the works of E.T.A. Hoffmann. A 19^th-century German fabulist, Hoffmann's tales "are filled with terror and wonder, mystery and the macabre. And music," says Lamos. The inspiration behind The Nutcracker and Coppélia, Hoffmann's stories often focus on creators and their creations, so as the Narrator pulls the strings of the ensemble within his toy theater, our familiar characters-including Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack, and Little Red-find their paths intertwined and unpredictable. And everyone finds some surprises lurking beyond Happily Ever After. 

Joining Lamos in bringing this story to life is choreographer Seán Curran. Curran's work has appeared nationally, internationally, and on Broadway, and he is the founder of Seán Curran Company. They are joined by music director Wayne Barker, last at CENTERSTAGE for Caroline, or Change.

Into the Woods, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, begins previews on Wednesday, March 7. The show opens officially on Wednesday, March 14, and closes April 15. Tickets are $10- $60, and can be ordered online at www.centerstage.org/woods, or by calling 410.332.0033. This production is supported by M&T Bank and Northrop Grumman; with additional funding from T. Rowe Price and Goodell, DeVries, Leech & Dann, LLP; and media partner Maryland Public Television.