New casting for the final performances of Broadway's Into the Woods has been revealed. Sebastian Arcelus will return to the Stephen Sondheim-James Lapine revival playing The Baker opposite wife Stephanie J. Block for the production's final week, beginning January 3, 2023. The Elf star, who will succeed Brian d'Arcy James, played the role earlier this year, ending that stint in October.
The fairy tale musical is playing Broadway's St. James Theatre in a multi-extended run through January 8, 2023.
Also joining the cast is Diane Phelan, succeeding Denée Benton as Cinderella beginning December 26. Phelan has understudied the role for the revival's entire run. As previously announced, Paradise Square Tony winner Joaquina Kalukango will take over as The Witch beginning December 16.
Both Arcelus and Phelan will continue with the production after its final Broadway performance as it embarks on a U.S. tour. They'll be joined by fellow Broadway cast members Montego Glover as The Witch, Block as the Baker's Wife, Gavin Creel as The Wolf/Cinderella's Prince, Cole Thompson as Jack, Katy Geraghty as Little Red Ridinghood, David Patrick Kelly as The Narrator, Nancy Opel as Cinderella’s Stepmother, Aymee Garcia as Jack’s Mother, Ta'Nika Gibson as Lucinda, Brooke Ishibashi as Florinda, Kennedy Kanagawa as Milky White, Jim Stanek as the Steward, and Alysia Velez as Rapunzel.
The current Broadway company also includes Joshua Henry as Rapunzel's Prince, with Annie Golden, Albert Guerzon, Delphi Borich, Felicia Curry, Jason Forbach, Alex Joseph Grayson, Cameron Johnson, Paul Kreppel, Mary Kate Moore, Sam Simahk, and Lucia Spina rounding out the cast.
With a book by James Lapine and a score by Stephen Sondheim, Into the Woods combines the fairy-tale stories of Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and more, ultimately going beyond "ever after" to explore what happens next. The current production began as a two-week run at New York City Center Encores, then transferred to Broadway for a July 10 opening. Many Broadway pros and Tony winners have cycled through the cast in its six-month run, including Sara Bareilles, Brian d'Arcy James, Joshua Henry, Andy Karl, Ann Harada, Annie Golden, Phillipa Soo, Denée Benton, and Patina Miller.
Lear deBessonet directs the musical, with music supervision by Rob Berman and choreography by Lorin Latarro. The creative team includes set designer David Rockwell, costume designer Andrea Hood, lighting designer Tyler Micoleau, sound designers Scott Lehrer and Alex Neumann, puppet designer James Ortiz, and hair, wig, and makeup designer Cookie Jordan. Casting is by Telsey & Co. with production supervision by Cody Renard Richard.
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