OCTOBER 10-25 | NEW VIDA CENTER
A wickedly witty musical where fairy tales get REALLY real.
About Into the Woods
NEW VIDA CENTER
3727 W Kiest Blvd, Dallas, TX 75233
SHOWTIMES
Fridays | 7:30
Saturdays | 1:30 + 7:30
Into the Woods is a clever and captivating musical that weaves together familiar fairy tale characters—Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and more—into one beautifully tangled story. At the heart of it all are a Baker and his Wife, desperate for a child, who strike a deal with a Witch and set off into the woods to break a generational curse. But as wishes are granted and dreams come true, the consequences of those choices soon unravel in ways no one could have expected.
With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Lapine, Into the Woods is equal parts whimsy and wisdom. It’s filled with rich humor, unforgettable songs, and meaningful questions about family, morality, and what happens after “happily ever after.” Whether you’re new to Sondheim or know every word by heart, this musical will take you on a journey that’s both magical and profoundly human.
Rating:
While our production of Into the Woods is family-friendly, families with children under 10 may find Act I—with its familiar fairy tale magic and happy endings—the most enjoyable (and the perfect length for younger attention spans). Act II explores deeper, more thought-provoking themes that may resonate more with older children and adults.
DETAILS
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DIRECTOR: Andrew Isenberg
MUSIC DIRECTOR: Dr. Sam Germany
CHOREOGRAPHER: Dauri
STAGE MANAGER: David Johns
LEAD COSTUMER: Kristia Golightly
SET DESIGN: Angela Germany
CAST HEADSHOTS + Promo Shoot: Angela Germany Photography + Sydney Cornelius
Marketing + Graphics: Sydney Cornelius | Grown Media
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Narrator – Jacob Zufelt
Cinderella – Pamela Anglero
Jack – Daniel Walker
Jack’s Mother – Sharon Balthrop
Baker – Samuel Germany
Baker’s Wife – Chelsea Bridgman
Cinderella’s Stepmother – Christy Tyree
Lucinda – Sarah Choate
Florinda – Jaida Pruitt
Cinderella’s Father – Cody Slusher
Little Red Riding Hood – Trinity Denson
Witch – Angela Germany
Cinderella’s Mother – Nicole Adams
Mysterious Man – Jeff Balthrop
Wolf – Ian Bridgman
Granny – Francesca Sadler
Rapunzel – Becca Keeton
Rapunzel’s Prince – Ethan Gebauer
Cinderella’s Prince – Ian Bridgman
Steward – Jacob Duffin
Snow White – Grace Ruiz
Sleeping Beauty – Nikki Hansen
Giant – Tianta Harrison
Woodland Animals – Arabella Beiler, Nicolette Brindle, Bella Robbins, Breanna Tyree -
Into the Woods features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Lapine. It was originally directed on Broadway by James Lapine and produced by Heidi Landesman, Rocco Landesman, Rick Steiner, M. Anthony Fisher, Frederic H. Mayerson, and Jujamcyn Theaters. This production is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
Behind the Curtain: Making Into the Woods
A CREATIVE TEAM FEATURE
Andrew Isenberg - Director
As Into the Woods prepares to open at Family Music Theatre, we’re taking you behind the curtain to meet the brilliant minds bringing this iconic show to life—starting with the director.
As Into the Woods prepares to open at Family Music Theatre, we’re taking you behind the curtain to meet the brilliant minds bringing this iconic show to life—starting with our director, Andrew Isenberg.
For Andrew, the real magic of theatre isn’t just in the script—it’s in the people.
“Into the Woods is a phenomenal show, don’t get me wrong,” he shares, “but we could be producing Paint Drying in Real Time: The Musical, and I would still be pleased to work with the incredible people I am surrounded by from top to bottom of this show.”
His creative approach? Collaborative.
His vision? Faithful, focused, and actor-centered.
“My vision is simple: I want my actors to feel that they have grown. Everything else is candy.”
This production leans into some of the show’s most powerful themes:
That everyone carries their own story…
That our choices affect more than just ourselves…
And that we are responsible for the narratives we pass on.
A moment that always gives Andrew chills? The Witch’s Lament.
“She mourns how little she was able to prepare her adopted daughter for the real world… and realizes how responsible she is for her daughter’s tragic death.”
Balancing the show’s humor and heartbreak comes naturally in a Sondheim script:
“The only difference between suspense and comedy is context, lighting, and the backing track.”
And his favorite line? One that captures the heart of the show:
“You’re so nice. You’re not good, you’re not bad, you’re just nice. I’m not good. I’m not nice. I’m just right. I’m the Witch. You’re the World.”
Kristia Golightly - Costume Mistress
Behind the Seams: Designing Into the Woods
Designing costumes for Into the Woods means creating a world where fantasy and real life blur—and Kristia Golightly was more than up for the challenge.
“I would describe my approach in one word: Intricate.”
Kristia’s excitement lies in watching the magic come together onstage—where set design, lighting, movement, and costume all combine to support the story. And for her, that story is deeply human.
“Everyone has a story. We forget how what we say or do can trickle down and come back to us. In Into the Woods, it all starts with a wish—but that wish leads to a web of consequences. I hope the audience leaves with a bit of self-awareness… and wonder.”
One of her favorite costumes? The Witch.
“Her robe required a lot of attention to detail with draping and texture. We wanted her to look like she was rotting in the beginning—and when she transforms, it’s like watching a flower bloom.”
Kristia found unexpected inspiration in the brushstrokes of Vincent Van Gogh.
“Each character’s color story connects to a specific Van Gogh painting. I was VERY intentional about placement—watch for it!”
She leaves you with one challenge:
Can you guess which character reflects Van Gogh’s Sunflowers (1888)?
You’ll have to come see the show to find out.
Dauri - Choreographer
Telling the Story in Motion
Dance may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Into the Woods, but choreographer Dauri Poole is changing that—one treacherous step at a time.
“One word to describe the physical world of this show? Expression.”
For Dauri, movement isn't just about filling space—it’s about revealing character, guiding emotion, and making music visible.
“So much of the story is conveyed through music. My job is to help the actors tell the story not only sonically—but visually.”
One of his biggest creative challenges?
Designing a sequence where 12–13 actors each make the decision to step “into the woods”—without bumping into each other on a rectangular stage.
“It was the most difficult to imagine, but one of the most fun to watch come together. The goal was to make it look like a vast journey… even though some of them are standing less than a foot apart.”
What excites Dauri most about this production?
“I want people to come in expecting a run-of-the-mill, cookie-cutter production—but leave with a new sense of what the show means. The creative team has done an amazing job of reimagining what this show could be while staying true to its purpose.”
Thanks to Dauri’s vision, Into the Woods doesn’t just sing—it moves.