The celebrated New York City Encores! production of Into the Woods, which sold out its two-week run this spring following critical and audience acclaim, will transfer to Broadway for a strictly limited, 8-week engagement at the St. James Theatre.
Performances begin Tuesday, June 28 ahead of an official opening night on July 10. Into the Woods is directed by Lear deBessonet, with music direction by Rob Berman with The Encores! Orchestra, and choreography by Lorin Latarro.
The star-studded cast includes Sara Bareilles as the Baker’s Wife, Brian D’Arcy James as the Baker, Patina Miller as the Witch, Phillipa Soo as Cinderella, Tony Award winner Gavin Creel as the Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince, Joshua Henry as Rapunzel’s Prince, Ta’Nika Gibson as Lucinda, and Annie Golden as Cinderella’s Mother/Grandmother/Giant’s Wife.
Some actors from the City Center staging will not return for the show’s Broadway engagement. Brian D’Arcy James replaces Neil Patrick Harris, Phillipa Soo steps in for Denée Benton, and Patina Miller takes over from Heather Hedley as the Witch.
“When things don’t make sense anymore, this is the show that holds our hand,” lead producer Jordan Roth said to The New York Times. “That’s why it resonated so profoundly deeply, and why we need to allow more people to have that experience.”
Into the Woods first premiered on Broadway in 1987, winning three Tony Awards including Best Score and Best Book. It has since been produced throughout the world and was adapted into a major motion picture in 2014. This production will mark its first time on Broadway in 20 years.
Into the Woods is produced by Jujamcyn Theaters; Jordan Roth; New York City Center; Hunter Arnold; Nicole Eisenberg; Michael Cassel Group; Jessica R. Jenen; Daryl Roth; ShowTown Productions; Armstrong, Gold & Ross; Nicole Kastrinos, Executive Producer.
The production is dedicated to the memory of Stephen Sondheim. Tickets are on sale now at SeatGeek.com.
