Cast Announced for 'Into The Woods'

ZACH Theatre announces the full cast for Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-Winning musical, Into the Woods playing September 29–November 7, 2021, under the direction of Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine and Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick, Into the Woods will be brought to life outdoors on The People’s Plaza using ZACH’s architecture and natural environment in surprising ways as part of the ZACH360 experience.

“We are excited to welcome audiences back to ZACH Theatre outdoors on the plaza for our very first ZACH360 experience, where the audience is seated in the middle of the action as it comes to life around them using the architecture and natural environment of our park setting,” said Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley. “We are treating ACT I like 2019 when fairytales still seemed possible, and ACT II like 2020, where multiple Giants - the pandemic, racial inequity, protests, a contested election, and vaccines - are waiting in the woods to be wrestled with. This unique, contemporary approach is designed specifically for Austin, to speak in this moment to the idea of community, our perseverance through life-altering challenges, and the glimmer of light peeking through looking toward tomorrow.”

Casting includes NOVA PAYTON (Come Together: Beatles Redux) as Witch; JAMIE GOODWIN (Present Laughter, Sunday in the Park) as Narrator/Mysterious Man/Cinderella’s Father; SHELBY ACOSTA as Cinderella; ETHAN ROGERS as Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince; PAUL SANCHEZ (A Christmas Carol, Matilda the Musical) as Baker; OLIVIA CLARI NICE (Once) as Baker’s Wife; JUNE JULIAN as Jack’s Mother; JUSTINE GRACE as Little Red Riding Hood; NICOLAS GARZA as Rapunzel’s Price/Florinda; LANGSTON LEE as Jack; JESSICA O’BRIEN as Rapunzel; DAISY WRIGHT as Steward/Lucinda; RACHEL PALLANTE (Esther’s Follies) as Grandmother/Cinderella’s Stepmother; and THERESA MEDINA as Cinderella’s Mother.

Into the Woods is directed by DAVE STEAKLEY with musical direction by ALLEN ROBERTSON. SANDRA LOPEZ is the scenic and properties designer with STEPHANIE BUSING as video designer; BOBBY MOFFETT as costume designer; and SERRET JENSEN as hair and makeup designer. AUSTIN BROWN is the lighting designer with BRYDON LIDLE as assistant lighting designer; CRAIG BROCK as the sound designer; and CATHERINE ANNE TUCKER as the production stage manager.

Special Events in celebration of Into the Woods:

• Champagne Opening and Press Night – Thursday, October 7, 2021; Press may RSVP to nicole.shiro@motleycrewmedia.com

• ASL Interpreted available upon request through the Box Office. Please give 24 hours’ notice.

Into the Woods

When: September 29 – November 7, 2021
Where: ZACH360 on The People’s Plaza at ZACH | 202 South Lamar | Austin, TX | 78704
Tickets: Start at $28 available at ZACH’s box office – 512-476-0541 x2, zachtheatre.org 

Summary: Stephen Sondheim’s fairytale masterpiece plays outside on the People’s Plaza at ZACH in a contemporary, re-imagined interpretation, using the architecture and landscaping as the backdrop. The plaza will transform into the woods and envelop the audience as Rapunzel lets down her hair from the Topfer balcony, Cinderella loses her slipper on the stairs, and the Milky White cow sculpture moos to life with Jack and his Beanstalk. All of the Giants wrestled in 2020 are there too, but with the assurance that “No One Is Alone” and there is light ahead.

Age recommendation: Thirteen and up.
Run time: Two hours and forty minutes including one twenty-minute intermission.

COVID PROTOCOLS AND HEALTH AND SAFETY:

A negative COVID-19 test result must be obtained within 72 hours (3 days) of the show date. Both molecular (PCR) and antigen (rapid) tests will be accepted. In lieu of a negative test, patrons may volunteer proof of vaccination. Negative COVID-19 test, or proof of vaccination will checked upon entry to ZACH’s campus. The following forms of proof of vaccination will be accepted:

• Physical vaccination card

• Verified App (CLEAR Health Pass, My Bindle)

• A photo of a physical vaccination card

• Final vaccine must be dated at least 14 days prior to show date.

The policy applies to both indoor and outdoor performances and will affect audience members ages 12 and up. Children under 12 will not be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test upon entry. Masks must be worn by all patrons, at all times, except when actively eating or drinking.

Find more details on safety, procedures, and the most current up to date information at zachtheatre.org/healthandsafety.

ZACHXP MEMBERSHIPS:

ZACH XP memberships are $39 a month and give access to all Mainstage and Family series shows, including Into the Woods, Sept. 27 to Nov. 7; A Christmas Carol, Nov. 17 to Jan. 2; The Cat in the Hat, Jan. 25 to March 27; The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity, Feb. 16 to March 6; Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, March 29 to May 13; Reunion ’85, April 13 to May 8; and The Sound of Music, June 15 to July 24. Visit zachtheatre.org/zachxp to learn more.

CAST

Nova Payton – Witch
Jamie Goodwin – Narrator/Mysterious Man/Cinderella’s Father
Shelby Acosta – Cinderella
Ethan Rogers –Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince
Paul Sanchez – Baker
Olivia Clari Nice – Baker’s Wife
June Julian – Jack’s Mother
Justine Grace – Little Red Riding Hood
Nicolas Garza – Rapunzel’s Prince/Florinda
Langston Lee– Jack
Jessica O’Brien – Rapunzel
Daisy Wright – Steward/Lucinda
Rachel Pallante – Grandmother/Cinderella’s Stepmother
Theresa Median – Cinderella’s Mother

PRODUCTION TEAM

Dave Steakley – Director
Allen Robertson – Music Director
Sandra Lopez – Scenic and Properties Designer
Stephanie Busing – Video Designer
Bobby Moffett – Costume Designer
Serret Jensen – Hair and Makeup Designer
Austin Brown – Lighting Designer
Brydon Lidle – Assistant Lighting Designer
Craig Brock – Sound Designer
Catherine Anne Tucker – Production Stage Manager
Kat Carson – Assistant Stage Manager
Danielle Grisko – Assistant Stage Manager