The Lewis and Shirley White Theatre at The J will open its 2023-24 season with Stephen Sondheim’s “Into The Woods.”
The production opens on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. and runs for 11 performances through Sunday, Nov. 19. Performance dates and times include:
- Thursdays: Nov. 2, 9 and 16 at 7:30 p.m.
- Saturdays: Oct. 28, Nov. 4, 11 and 18 at 7:30 p.m.
- Sundays: Oct. 29, Nov. 5, 12 and 19 at 2 p.m.
Featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, “Into the Woods” is a take on several Brothers Grimm fairy tales – Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel – as they each navigate through “the Woods.”
Opening on Broadway in 1987, “Into the Woods” has proven to be a perennial favorite among performers as well. The White Theatre’s production attracted over 170 local actors to audition for just seventeen roles.
Tom Nelson, who plays The Wolf and Cinderella’s Prince, was excited to audition for one of his favorite shows.
“As an actor, I like to perform in shows that are both entertaining and meaningful for people,” Nelson said. “[This role] is goofy, it’s grand, it’s over the top and it’s important to other people’s plot points in the stories.”
Other actors were drawn to this musical because of the artistic team talent. Krista Eyler, who plays The Witch, was excited to work with the show’s director, Kacy Christensen.
“I wanted to work with Kacy Christensen again,” Eyler said. “This is my third show with him. I feel his vision for a show is always precise, thoughtful and brilliant. I have learned a lot from him.”
Nelson and Eyler are veterans of The White Theatre, having performed together in the both iterations of “Something Rotten” in 2020 (virtual and in-person). Nelson most recently performed in “Surviving Hitler,” an original new work commissioned by The White Theatre as part of the 2021-22 season.
Another performer joining the “Into the Woods” cast is Jennifer Renfrow, director and owner of Center Stage Performing Arts Academy in Warrensburg, Missouri.
Other veterans of The White Theatre stage include Joy Richardson, Pancha Brown, Scott Kruse, Anne Haines, Merideth Hollan, Haley Knudsen and Alec Walberg.
Tony Console, is making his debut at The White Theatre, having performed on stage in Lawrence and Topeka in the past. Doug Jones, playing the roles of Narrator and Mysterious Man, is also performing at The White Theatre for the first time, having enjoyed an international opera career. Three other new cast members include Jasmine Hall (Rapunzel), Tori Porteous (Cinderella) and Maxwell McIntire (Steward).
“Into The Woods” kicks off the 19th season at The White Theatre. Other featured shows include “The Prom,” “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder,” “Blues in the Night” (with The Black Repertory Theatre) and “Disney’s The Little Mermaid.”
Full descriptions, performance times and tickets for each event are available at thewhitetheatre.org.