Jennifer Diamond News

I purposely avoided the recent film version of INTO THE WOODS because I really didn't find the previews or the stunt casting appropriate. For me, it's a work that requires an audience to use their imagination to a great extent, and movies tend to give form to those things that are much better left conjured up in your own mind. That's why my son and I absolutely loved The MUNY's current presentation of the show. Let's face it, a woodland setting created utilizing green screen technology and a few key set pieces is nowhere near as effective at conveying the atmosphere desired, especially when you already have those actual elements growing freely at the back of this marvelous outdoor stage. Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine (book) crafted a brilliant mash-up of several fairy tales and fables that is smart, funny, and, ultimately, touching. When I asked my boy what he thought of the show at the end of the night he neatly summed it up: 'I thought it was awesome!' I agree wholeheartedly. Superbly cast and conceived, this is a production that's simply tailor made for The MUNY. Go see it, and take your kids with you! It may have a few moments that are a bit gruesome or adult in content, but they'll have a wonderful time, and so will you!

Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine's (book) INTO THE WOODS opened July 21, at the Muny, and is playing through July 27 in Forest Park. The production is directed by Gary Griffin, choreographed by Chris Bailey and music directed by Brad Haak. Check out a first look at the cast in action on opening night below! The cast includes Heather Headley (Witch), Erin Dilly (Baker's Wife), Rob McClure (Baker), Ken Page (Narrator), Andrew Samonsky (Cinderella's Prince/Wolf), Elena Shaddow (Cinderella) and Ryan Silverman (Rapunzel's Prince), will be Jason Gotay (Jack), Ellen Harvey (Cinderella's Stepmother), Sara Kapner (Little Red Ridinghood), Samantha Massell (Rapunzel), Michael McCormick (Mysterious Man/Cinderella's Father) and Zoe Vonder Haar (Jack's Mother). Rounding out this incredible cast are Anna Blair (Granny/Cinderella's Stepmother), Jennifer Diamond (Florinda), Gary Glasgow (Steward), Maggie Lakis (Milky White) and April Strelinger (Lucinda).

Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine's (book) INTO THE WOODS opened July 21, at the Muny, and is playing through July 27 in Forest Park. The production is directed by Gary Griffin, choreographed by Chris Bailey and music directed by Brad Haak. Check out a first look at the cast in action on opening night below!

Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine's (book) INTO THE WOODS begins tonight, July 21, at the Muny, playing through July 27 in Forest Park. The production is directed by Gary Griffin, choreographed by Chris Bailey and music directed by Brad Haak.  Check out an exclusive look at some backstage shots below!

Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine's (book) INTO THE WOODS begins tonight, July 21, at the Muny, playing through July 27 in Forest Park. The production is directed by Gary Griffin, choreographed by Chris Bailey and music directed by Brad Haak.

Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH announced plans to open a new store at Tampa Premium Outlets, located at 2389 Grand Cypress Gulch Drive in Tampa, FL. The store opening coincides with the highly anticipated grand opening of Tampa Premium Outlets in October 2015. Delivering world-class fashion at real value, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH's new 27,376 square feet shop will offer a compelling selection of designer fashion brands for both men and women.

Ellen DeGeneres debuted her new lifestyle collection, ED on EDbyEllen.com. Featuring an array of product categories including home, apparel and accessories, ED is a lifestyle brand inspired by the iconic style, values and personality of founder, Ellen DeGeneres. Named after Portia de Rossi's long-standing nickname for Ellen, ED is reflective of Ellen's personal lifestyle from in front of the camera to shopping with friends over the weekend and entertaining at home.

Specialty fashion brand, Free People, will open its 108th boutique across the United States and Canada on July 10th, 2015. Opening at Arcadia's Westfield Santa Anita Mall, the new store will be Free People's largest boutique in the Los Angeles area. Boasting 4,712 gross square feet, Free People's brand will bring an exciting mix of its coveted eclectic apparel to the shopping destination, alongside a special 'Intimately Free People' area.

lululemon athletica inc. announced that Miguel Almeida has been named as Executive Vice President, Digital, effective as of the start of his employment with the Company, which is expected to be mid-July. He will report to the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Laurent Potdevin.

For its premiere brick-and-mortar store, Garnet Hill chose to open its doors with style, debuting in Long Island's east-end enclave of Bridgehampton. The seasonal store will give fans of the 39-year-old catalog and online retailer a 'touch and feel' experience of the beautiful and natural products Garnet Hill is best known for rich bedding sets in soft linen, crisp cotton and heavy woven silks, cashmere robes, relaxed selections in apparel, and more.

Seattle-based Nordstrom, Inc. announced plans to open Nordstrom Rack at Waikiki Trade Center in Honolulu, HI. The approximately 34,000-square-foot, two-level store is scheduled to open in spring 2016. The property was acquired by Coastwood Capital Group, LLC in late 2013.

Sanctuary, a contemporary lifestyle brand designed for the modern woman, is set to debut the City Essentials Collection this fall. The collection of carefully curated styles will be available for purchase at sanctuaryclothing.com as well as sold in major department stores nationally, including Bloomingdales, Nordstrom and Macy's.

Kate Spade & Company announced that Emilia Fabricant will join the Company as Executive Vice President, President of North America, effective June 29, 2015. In this role, Ms. Fabricant will oversee the Company's North America business, with responsibilities across all distribution channels, and will report to Craig A. Leavitt, Chief Executive Officer.

Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH announced the grand opening of its newest store at Stamford Town Center in Connecticut on Thursday, June 25th, 2015. The new 56,259 sq. ft. store features an impressive selection of more than 800 of the most sought-after brands and, with new merchandise hitting the floor weekly, customers will discover fresh and exciting finds at up to 70% off, every time they shop. In celebration of the grand opening, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH is hosting an exciting weekend of festivities filled with fashion, fun, entertainment and fabulous giveaways.

FashionOne got exclusive access to the TNG show featuring their Winter 2015 collection during the Sao Paulo Fashion Week Held in Parque Candido Portinari. The collection was inspired by the history of jeans. The pieces featured denim, tweed, wool, silk, and cotton materials using tones of sand, gray, indigo, burgundy, navy, coffee brown and dark purple and also contained prints of mineral stones in blue and brown. 

Be mesmerized as FO brings you to the amazing Gig Couture Winter 2015 presented during Sao Paulo Fashion Week. Designer Gina Guerra was inspired by her travel in Uzbekistan. The entire collection is made up of knitting and color palette they used include camel, navy, brick, orange, black, rosé and blue water.

FashionOne takes BWW Fashion readers backstage of Lorena Saravia Spring Summer 2015 Collection presented during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. FO host Chole Amutio chatted with account director' Julie Adrien, makeup artist' Javier De La Rosa and hair stylist' Ignazio Muñoz.

FashionOne got a backstage look at JI+B Spring Summer 2015 Collection presented during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Mexico. FO host Tati Perkins chatting with model' Ayelen Bonacina, makeup artist' Javier De La Rosa, hairstylist' Ignazio Muñoz and designers' Jesus Ibarra & Bertholdo Espinoza. They showcased a collection include cropped top, A-line and floor length dresses.

For the first time ever, Jessica London embarks on an exciting and innovative collaboration with fashion and accessory designer Cherie Christmas to launch a capsule collection, Cherie. Created exclusively forJessica London with product also available on fullbeauty.com, the Cherie collection is designed with versatility in mind to create the ultimate interchangeable wardrobe for today's modern and full-figured woman.

David Yurman, one of America's premier fine jewelry and timepiece companies, announced the opening of its boutique in Galeries Lafayette in Paris, France, on June 17, 2015.