Into the Woods

Charleston Light Opera Guild has changed the first production of the group's 75th Anniversary to Into the Woods due to casting conflicts with Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Into the Woods blends the well-known fairy tales of Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Little Red Riding Hood with an original story of the Baker and his Wife who catalyze the action by attempting to reverse a witch's curse on their family in order to have a child. In the first act all the characters set out to achieve their goal of living "Happily Every After". Act Two deals with the consequences that traditional fairy tales conveniently ignore. Composer Stephen Sondheim and author James Lapine spin a tale of new and old storybook characters on a journey of growth and self-discovery. The tales intertwine in the woods where all inner darkness is confronted.

Into the Woods opened on Broadway in 1987 and won several Tony Awards that included best score and best book. The musical has since been produced many times with a Broadway revival in 2002, movie version in 2014, NYC Roundabout Theatre production in 2015, national tours, and a 2nd Broadway revival in 2022. This will mark the fourth production of the popular musical presented by the Light Opera Guild.