STAGE TUBE: Highlights from Lauren Kennedy-Led INTO THE WOODS

Into the Woods began performances at The Pearlstone Theater on March 7, as a coproduction between Westport Country Playhouse and Baltimore Centerstage. BroadwayWorld brings you highlights from the production below!

Leading the great adventure is acclaimed director Mark Lamos Mark Lamos (also Artistic Director at Westport), who last visited CENTERSTAGE with his magical 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 19th 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 SeSeá SeSeán áán Curran n n 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 Wa Wayne Barker, last at CENTERSTAGE yne Barker for the smash hit 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.