Into the Woods

music and lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM 
book by JAMES LAPINE
directed by SARNA LAPINE
Wurtele Thrust Stage

An unexpected storybook musical

Once upon a time, Cinderella pines to make a cameo at the ball, Jack (of beanstalk fame) tends to his pet cow, Little Red Riding Hood sets off toward grandmother’s house and a baker and his wife discover they are barren, thanks to a curse from the neighboring witch. They all head into the woods and embark on remarkable journeys that include falling in love, slaying a giant, facing off with a wolf and more. Just when all wishes appear to be granted, a stray magic bean sprouts a second stalk and the giant’s vengeful wife disrupts everyone’s happy ending. Featuring beloved music and classic fairy tale characters, this heartfelt musical explores what happens after “happily ever after.”

Three things to know

  • Into the Woods, the second collaboration between writer/director James Lapine and composer Stephen Sondheim, opened on Broadway in November 1987 for a nearly two-year run. The musical was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and received three, and it won the 1988 New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award and Drama Desk Award for Best Musical. 
  • Musical numbers include “I Know Things Now,” “Giants in the Sky,” “Agony,” “Ever After,” “No One Is Alone,” “Children Will Listen” and the remarkable 12-minute opening title number.
  • Weaving together stories of both familiar and original characters, Into the Woods provides a sophisticated and novel look at fairy tales and provides an answer to what happens after “happily ever after.” The musical tells us that “every now and then” we have to go into the woods because “there’s more to learn of what you know” — and warns that we “better be ready for the journey.”

Ticket prices

Tickets range from $20 to $94. 

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Group sales

All student and adult groups of 15 or more qualify for discounts on tickets to Guthrie productions.

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Venue info

Into the Woods will take place on the Wurtele Thrust Stage.

Pro tip: Can't do stairs or have a special seating request? Call the Box Office for details. 

Run time

Approximately 2 hours, 45 minutes (including intermission)

Age recommendation

We recommend Into the Woods for ages 12 and up. Everyone must have a ticket, and children under 5 are not admitted.

Content advisory

This production contains mature themes, haze and fog. For information please contact the Box Office.

Accessibility

ASL-interpreted, audio-described and open-captioned performances are available on select dates.

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Post-play discussions

Join us after select performances for a 20-minute conversation facilitated by Guthrie staff. Cast members may join the discussion as they are able.

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Relaxed performance

The Guthrie will offer a relaxed performance of Into the Woods on Sunday, July 30 at 1 p.m. Although these performances are open to all patrons, they are intentionally modified to accommodate patrons with sensory and vestibular sensitivities, anxiety, dementia, autism spectrum disorders, learning differences or challenges attending the theater.

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Health and safety

Masks are no longer required for all Sunday performances. For audience members who prefer a masked environment, we will offer a mask-required performance of Into the Woods on Sunday, July 9 at 1 p.m.

 

Digital program and play guide

Want to dig deeper? Check out the digital program or play guide.

Videos

Giants in the Sky

Into the Woods is filled with voices that could slay giants. Speaking of giants, enjoy this clip of Trevor James performing "Giants in the Sky."

In the Costume Shop

From the cape as red as blood to the slipper as pure as gold, the Guthrie costume shop has worked their magic on costumes designed by Valérie Thérèse Bart.

Behind the scenes

Step into the rehearsal room and catch a sneak peek of Into the Woods.

In the news

Review

“You’re unlikely to find a more expertly executed production of it than the one currently gracing the Guthrie Theater’s thrust stage.” – Rob Hubbard, Pioneer Press

Read The Full Review

Review

“The production blends musical theater and operatic voices into an aural mosaic … There are standouts everywhere in these Woods” – Rohan Preston, Star Tribune

Read The Full Review

Look out for these five fresh faces

Did you know that nine members of the Into the Woods company are making their Guthrie debuts? Star Tribune had a chance to speak with five of them.

Read On

Artists

Cast

Sasha Andreev

Wolf/Rapunzel's Prince

Cat Brindisi

Florinda

Kym Chambers Otto

Cinderella's Stepmother

Anna Hashizume

Cinderella's Mother/Rapunzel

Lisa Howard

Witch

Trevor James

Jack

Suzie Juul

Little Red Riding Hood

Kim Kivens

Jack's Mother/Granny

Robert Knight

Baker

Greta Oglesby

Voice of the Giant

Madeline Trumble

Baker's Wife

Emily Tyra

Cinderella

Regina Marie Williams

Narrator/Mysterious Man

Olivia Wilusz

Lucinda

Max Wojtanowicz

Cinderella's Father/Steward

John Yi

Milky White/Cinderella's Prince

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Creative team

James Lapine

Book

Stephen Sondheim

Music & Lyrics

Sarna Lapine

Director

Denise Prosek

Music Director

Alison Solomon

Choreographer

Mikiko Suzuki MacAdams

Scenic Designer

Valérie Thérèse Bart

Costume Designer

Donald Holder

Lighting Designer

Beth Lake

Sound Designer

Fred Lassen

Adapting Orchestrator

Carla Steen

Resident Dramaturg

Aaron Preusse

Fight Director

Lori Lundquist

Stage Manager

Matthew Meeks

Assistant Stage Manager

Nate Stanger

Assistant Stage Manager

Emily Tyra

Dance Captain

Jennifer Liestman

Resident Casting Director

Alli St. John

Intimacy

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Photos

Lisa Howard (Witch) in a scene from Into the Woods. Photo: Dan Norman

Emily Tyra (Cinderella) and Anna Hashizume (Cinderella’s Mother) in a scene from Into the Woods. Photo: Dan Norman

Trevor James (Jack) and Kim Kivens (Jack’s Mother) in a scene from Into the Woods. Photo: Dan Norman

The cast of Into the Woods. Photo: Dan Norman

Regina Marie Williams (Narrator) in a scene from Into the Woods. Photo: Dan Norman

Sasha Andreev (Rapunzel’s Prince) and John Yi (Cinderella’s Prince) in a sceen from Into the Woods. Photo: Dan Norman

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