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
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