Sara Bareilles and Gavin Creel.Photo: JENNY ANDERSON
Into the Woodsthey go again!
Sara Bareilles,Patina Miller,Phillipa Sooand the Broadway revival cast ofStephen Sondheimand James Lapine’s Tony Award-winning musical are preparing for their big opening night on Sunday at theSt. James Theatre. But before the star-studded event, PEOPLE is sharing exclusive behind-the-scenes photos of the cast getting into character.
The musical — which was seen earlier this year as part of New York City Center Encores! — began preview Broadway performances last month.
Patina Miller.JENNY ANDERSON
Josh Henry.JENNY ANDERSON
In the woods, they encounter characters like Cinderella (Soo), Jack (Cole Thompson), Rapunzel (Alysia Velez) and Little Red Riding Hood (Julia Lester), who all eventually learn that there’s more to life after “happily ever after.”
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Sara Bareilles.JENNY ANDERSON
“I witnessed the healing energy of this show first hand a few weeks ago,” she wrote at the time. “I will always cherish the lightning in a bottle we captured at#encores…(I love you@deneebenton,@heatherheadleyand@nph❤️) And I am also excited to welcome some new and beautiful friends to the group of travelers trying to make sense of this world together. Thankful for theater. Thankful for stories. Thankful for art.”
Bareilles starred alongsideNeil Patrick Harrisas the Baker at City Center, but stage vet d’Arcy James took over the role for Broadway. Also new to the Broadway cast isJoshua Henry, the celebrated actor playing Rapunzel’s Prince, and a duo of Tony winners:Hamilton’s Soo andRaising Kananstar Miller.
Phillipa Soo.JENNY ANDERSON
On Broadway, Miller replacedHeather Headley, the Tony winner filming season 3 ofSweet Magnolias. Denée Benton — who Soo swapped in for — also has filming commitments, on the second season of HBO’sThe Gilded Age. (Ironically, Benton subbed in for Soo for the Broadway transfer ofNatasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812back in 2016.)
Sara Bareilles.Gavin Creel.Sara Bareilles.PHOTO: JENNY ANDERSONGavin Creel.PHOTO: JENNY ANDERSON
Sara Bareilles.Gavin Creel.
Sara Bareilles.
Gavin Creel.
Sara Bareilles.PHOTO: JENNY ANDERSONGavin Creel.PHOTO: JENNY ANDERSON
Starring on Broadway inInto the Woodsis a full-circle moment for Bareilles. In 2012, theWaitresssongwriter was called in to audition for the role of Cinderella in the Shakespeare in the Park production ofInto the Woods. However, the part ultimately went toJessie Mueller, who starred in Bareilles’Waitress.
“I felt like that was a good omen. I was never supposed to do that!” Bareilles toldPlaybillin 2016. “I didn’t realize how horrifically underprepared I was. It was a fun, little experiment-slash-mortifying moment in my life, but then it was so delicious to know that at the end of the day, it went to Jessie Mueller. It just felt like this cosmic hug.”
Into the Woods cast.Jenny Anderson
Into the Woodswas last on Broadway 20 years ago, in a revival starringVanessa WilliamsandLaura Benanti. A 2014 film adaptation starredMeryl Streep,Emily Blunt,James Corden, andAnna Kendrick.
Into the Woodscurrently plays at the St. James Theatre. For more information and tickets, visitIntotheWoodsBway.com.
source: people.com
