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Into the Woods

Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim

Book by James Lapine

Journey into the woods for a contemporary and wildly imaginative new telling of this timeless musical tale, filled with wicked hilarity and giant heart

Into the Woods features the remarkable Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning score; a veritable treasure trove of metaphor, wordplay, and breathtaking insights into the ecstasy and anguish of holding onto hope in times of darkness and uncertainty. Packed with whimsical characters and enchanting theatrical magic, James Lapine's Brothers Grimm-inspired story is a hilariously charming romp that blossoms into a captivating fable of personal growth and community, reminding us that "no one is alone."
 
To fulfill their deepest wish, a Baker and his Wife must first reverse a curse placed on them by a mysterious Witch living next door. The pair journey into the woods to locate four magical ingredients, and along the way meet Cinderella, Little Red, Jack, and Rapunzel, each pursuing a wish of their own. Through surprising twists and astounding encounters, these fairy-tale characters discover the true power of wishes, and what really happens after ‘happily ever after’. 

Experience a spellbinding new fairytale world where all who step foot into the woods will come face-to-face with their wildest desires and deepest fears. 


Presented by
WITCH Music Theatre

Director Nick Lerew

Music Directors Hayden Taylor & Maya Handa Naff

Choreographer Greta Casey-Solly (Te Atiawa)

Creative Producer Ben Emerson

Production Designer Joshua Tucker

This performance contains flashing lights, sudden loud noises, haze, and mature themes. Suitable for children ages 10 and above.

27 April –6 May
Te Auaha

Preview 26 April, 2023

Tuesdays - Saturdays: 7.30 pm
Saturday Matinee: 2 pm 
Sunday: 4 pm
Tickets from $35 - $50
Run time: 1 hour 50 minutes (including 20 minute interval)

Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine. Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick. Original Broadway Production by Heidi Landesman, Rocco Landesman, Rick Steiner, M. Anthony Fisher, Frederic H. Mayerson, Jujamcyn Theaters. Originally produced by The Old Globe Theatre, San Diego, Ca.

Into the Woods Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI

Listen to 2022 Broadway cast recording 

Te Auaha is a wheelchair-accessible venue with lifts and accessible seating options and bathrooms.

Into the Woods is proudly supported by

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Reviews

"Exceptional"

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“The entire cast is talent personified, and their vocal performances are fire [...] Bravo WITCH, Disney ain’t got nothing on you”

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– Regional News

"Truly spectacular"

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“an extremely entertaining show crafted with love and attention to detail.”

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– The Post

Awards

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Winner of 5 Tony Awards including Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical.

 

Winner of the Grammy Awards for Best Musical Theatre Album 2023.​

"jaw-dropping perfected musical"

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“The show has a masterful smoothness to its process and execution.”

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– The Wellingtonista

Gallery

Roles

Creative team

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Director

Nick Lerew 

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Music Directors

Hayden Taylor & Maya Handa Naff

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Choreographer

Greta Casey-Solly

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Production Designer

Joshua Tucker

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Creative Producer

Ben Emerson

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Costume Designers

Nadia Newman & Emma Stevens


Sound Design

Patrick Barnes


Set Design

Scott Maxim

Production team

 

Stage Manager

Anna Barker

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Assistant Stage Manager

Ace Dalziel

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Mechanists

Sam Kesala & Mila Te Whare-Manson

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Sound Operator

Kase Walker

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Sound Assistant

Tash McMillan

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Sound 2  

Bella Armstrong

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Costume Assistant

Emily Brown

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Front of House

Charlette Potts

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Props

Charlette Potts & Scott Maxim

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Dressers

Jen Pearce, Lynda Taylor, Emily Brown, Nadia Newman

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Photography

Bentley Stevenson & Maeve O'Connell

Cast

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The Witch 

Greer Perenara

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The Baker

William Duignan

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The Baker’s Wife

Áine Gallagher

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Little Red Riding Hood

Aria Leader-Fiamatai

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Jack

Tara Canton

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Cinderella

Gayle Hammersley

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Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf

Jackson Burling

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Rapunzel’s Prince (u.s. Narrator/Mysterious Man)

Glenn Horsfall

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Rapunzel (u.s.Cinderella)

Emily Yeap

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Narrator/Mysterious Man

Kevin Orlando

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Jack’s Mother/Granny

Paula Gardyne

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Cinderella’s Stepmother/Mother

Joanne Lisik

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Lucinda (u.s. Baker's Wife)

Aimée Sullivan

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Florinda (u.s. Witch)

Mia Alonso-Green

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Steward (u.s. Cinderella's Prince/Wolf)

Ed Blunden

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Milky White/Giant

Felicity Cozens

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Swing (Little Red Riding Hood, Lucinda, Florida)

Tessa Deacle

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Swing (Jack, Rapunzel’s Prince)

Ollie Smyth

Band

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Piano/Conductor

Hayden Taylor

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Flute/Piccolo

Megan Bownlie

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Clarient

Patrick Hayes

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Trumpet

Brendan Agnew

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Percussion

Hannah Neman

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Violin

Shanita Sungsuwan


Viola

James Mills-Workman


Double Bass

Rachael Hinds

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Cello

Keith Moss

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With special thanks to

Orchestra Wellington and The Royal New Zealand Airforce Band

"Careful the tale you tell, that is the spell."

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