New York City Center Encores! began its production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Into the Woods at New York City Center May 4 with a gala performance honoring Arlene Shuler for 19 years of leadership and extraordinary service as president and CEO of New York City Center. The special extended engagement, directed by new Encores! Artistic Director Lear deBessonet, is set to run through May 15.
The cast is led by Heather Headley as the Witch, Neil Patrick Harris as The Baker, and Sara Bareilles as the Baker's Wife, alongside Denée Benton as Cinderella, Cole Thompson as Jack, Ann Harada as Jack's Mother, Julia Lester as Little Red Ridinghood, Shereen Pimentel as Rapunzel, Gavin Creel as Cinderella's Prince/Wolf, Jordan Donica as Rapunzel's Prince, Annie Golden as Grandmother/Cinderella's Mother/Giant's Wife, and David Patrick Kelly as Narrator/Mysterious Man.
Look inside the evening below.
Phoebe Lapine, James Lapine, Sarah Lapine, and Charlie Moffett
Phoebe Lapine, James Lapine, Sarah Lapine, and Charlie Moffett
Melissa Errico
Martavius Parrish, Lear deBessonet, and Victoria Davidjohn
Martavius Parrish, Lear deBessonet, and Victoria Davidjohn
Louisa Jacobson
Louisa Jacobson
Jonathan Higginbotham and Louisa Jacobson
Joel Grey
Joel Grey
Kelli O'Hara
Kelli O'Hara and Jessica Vosk
Lauren Patten
Lauren Patten
Kennedy Kanagawa and James Ortiz
Kennedy Kanagawa and James Ortiz
Ken Ithiphol and Anthony Rapp
Ken Ithiphol and Anthony Rapp
Jessica Vosk
Jason Forbach and Mary Kate Moore
Jason Forbach and Mary Kate Moore
Rob Berman
Rob Berman
Clint Ramos
Clint Ramos
David Turner
Adrienne Arsht
Adrienne Arsht
Arlene Shuler
Arlene Shuler
Jeanine Tesori and Arlene Shuler
Arlene Shuler and Richard Witten
Adrienne Arsht and Arlene Shuler
James Lapine
Lear deBessonet
Lear deBessonet
Ta'Nika Gibson, Brooke Ishibashi, Lauren Mitchell, and Albert Guerzon
Ta'Nika Gibson, Brooke Ishibashi, Lauren Mitchell, and Albert Guerzon
Ta'Nika Gibson, Brooke Ishibashi, Lauren Mitchell, and Albert Guerzon
Gavin Creel
Gavin Creel
Gavin Creel and Julia Lester
Julie Lester
Julia Lester
Julia Lester
Shereen Pimentel
Shereen Pimentel
Shereen Pimentel and Heather Headley
Shereen Pimentel and Heather Headley
Heather Headley
Heather Headley
Neil Patrick Harris
Sara Bareilles
Sara Bareilles
Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris and Sara Bareilles
Neil Patrick Harris and Sara Bareilles
Gavin Creel and Julia Lester
Gavin Creel and Julia Lester
Gavin Creel and Denée Benton
Gavin Creel and Denée Benton
Erica Swindell
Erica Swindell
Denée Benton
Denée Benton
David Turner
David Patrick Kelly
Cole Thompson
Brooke Ishibashi, Ann Harada, Kennedy Kanagawa, and Albert Guerzon
Brooke Ishibashi, Ann Harada, Kennedy Kanagawa, and Albert Guerzon
Brooke Ishibashi, Ann Harada, Kennedy Kanagawa, and Albert Guerzon
Ann Harada
Ann Harada
Gavin Creel, Deneé Benton, Sara Bareilles, and Neil Patrick Harris
Gavin Creel, Deneé Benton, Lear deBessonet, Sara Bareilles, and Neil Patrick Harris
Gavin Creel, Deneé Benton, Lear deBessonet, Sara Bareilles, and Neil Patrick Harris
Gavin Creel, Deneé Benton, Sara Bareilles, and Neil Patrick Harris
Gavin Creel, Deneé Benton, Sara Bareilles, and Neil Patrick Harris
Gavin Creel, Deneé Benton, Sara Bareilles, and Neil Patrick Harris
Rounding out the cast are Ta'nika Gibson as Lucinda, Albert Guerzon as Cinderella's Father, Brooke Ishibashi as Florinda, Kennedy Kanagawa as Milky White, Lauren Mitchell as Cinderella's Stepmother, and David Turner as Steward. Jason Forbach and Mary Kate Moore are the production's understudies.
The production also features music direction by Rob Berman, choreography by Lorin Latarro, scenic design by David Rockwell, costume design by Andrea Hood, lighting design by Tyler Micoloeau, sound design by Scott Lehrer, puppet design by James Ortiz, and hair, wig, and makeup design by Cookie Jordan. Casting is by The Telsey Office's Craig Burns.