Tony Award Winning "Into the Woods" Now thru July 30 at the Ahmanson

It's always a breath of fresh air to attend a live theatrical event at the Ahmanson. True to form, you won't want to miss this mind blowing magnum opus! You'll be yearning for more from the exquisite enthralling exhilarating exuberant exemplary expert cast of A+ ace adept adroit astonishing astounding accomplished artists. The entire ensemble of terrific top notch tantalizing talents have raised the bar and exude the epitome of excellence.

Stephanie J. Block and Sebastian Arcelus as the Baker and the Baker's Wife (real life husband and wife) command the stage whenever they appear! Stephanie and Sebastian met during the first national tour of Wicked, where they played Elphaba and Fiyero, respectively. They are now celebrating their 16th year of marriage and have an 8 year old daughter who has joined them on this tour. It's worth the price of admission just to watch the captivating chemistry between these two leads. Stephanie said their two roles "resonate with us in such a meaningful way (the couple working hard to have a child) that was our story." She further expresses her admiration adoration and appreciation of Sebastian, "He covers me. He protects me. He pours love, lifts me up, and makes it work."

Other stand out performances include Montego Glover as the Witch, a force to be reckoned with; Gavin Creel as Cinderella's Prince/Wolf, beyond sensational; Kennedy Kanagawa as Milky White, the proficient polished precise puppeteer maneuvering the cow with pure perfection; plus the conductor/music director John Bell and the entire orchestra, compelling characters in themselves. Powers that be please take note to always place on stage each show's highly regarded and laudable musicians. They are the heart and soul of every production.

The charismatic company also consists of (direct from Broadway) 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, Jim Stanek as the Steward, and Alysia Velez as Rapunzel.

According to Center Theatre Group (CTG) Producing Director Douglas C. Baker, bringing the critically acclaimed Broadway revival of "Into the Woods" to the Ahmanson is a way to honor CTG's long deep connection to Stephen Sondheim and to pay homage to his marvelous masterful works of art. It's also an added opportunity to revisit and discover the enduring endearing enchanting musical. Baker shared how CTG is "thrilled to once again show why Sondheim is one of the most profound" prolific premiere preeminent "composers, lyricists, and theatre makers of all time." Baker continued, "We can’t wait for his beloved music to fill our theatre and lift our hearts.” This presentation is dedicated to the memory of Stephen Sondheim.

Stephen Sondheim (Music & Lyrics) wrote music and lyrics for “Saturday Night,” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” “Anyone Can Whistle,” “Company” “Follies,” “A Little Night Music,” “The Frogs,” “Pacific Overtures,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Merrily We Roll Along,” “Sunday in the Park With George,” “Assassins,” “Passion” and “Road Show.” He wrote the lyrics for “West Side Story,” “Gypsy” and “Do I Hear a Waltz?” and additional lyrics for “Candide.” He composed music of “Evening Primrose” (television) and the films “Stavisky,” “Reds” and “Dick Tracy.” His collected lyrics with attendant essays have been published into two volumes: “Finishing the Hat” and “Look I made a Hat.” In 2010, Broadway’s Henry Miller’s Theatre was renamed in his honor.

James Lapine (Book, Originally Directed) also worked with Stephen Sondheim on “Sunday in the Park With George” and “Passion.” He conceived and directed the musical review “Sondheim on Sondeim.” With William Finn he created “Falsettos,” “Little Miss Sunshine” and directed Finn’s “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Other Broadway credits include his play based on Moss Hart’s memoir “Act One” and “Flying Over Sunset.” He has written plays “Table Settings,” “Twelve Dreams,” “The Moment when “Fran’s Bed” and “Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing.” Lapine has been the recipient of three Tony Awards, the Pulitzer Prize, SDC’s Mr. Abbott Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre and was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame. His book “Putting it Together: How Stephen Sondheim and I Created Sunday in the Park with George” made The New York Times bestseller list.

Montego Glover (Witch). Tony Award nominee, two-time Drama Desk Award winner, Outer Critics’ Circle Award winner and honoree, and Drama League Award nominee. Her Broadway credits include “Memphis” (Tony nominee, Drama Desk, OCC winner), “Les Misérables,” “It Shoulda Been You,” “The Color Purple,” “Hamilton” (Chicago company). Off-Broadway: “The Royale” (Lincoln Center Theater, Drama Desk Award), “All the Natalie Portmans” (MCC, OCC Honor). Television/film: “Inventing Anna,” “Evil,” “The Blacklist,” “Bull,” “Black Box,” “The Following,” “Hostages,” “Smash,” “The Good Wife,” “White Collar,” “Golden Boy,” “Law & Order,” “Made in Jersey” and Alone (indie). As a voiceover artist, Ms. Glover enjoys numerous commercial campaigns and scripted projects in animation, gaming, tele-vision, film and narration. Most recently, “The Montego Glover Exhibition” opened at the Bessie Smith Cultural Center & African American Museum in Montego’s hometown of Chattanooga, TN. Upcoming: a new highly anticipated animated series with Netflix. @MontegoGlover MontegoGlover.com

Stephanie J. Block (Baker’s Wife) Broadway: “The Cher Show” (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle Award winner), “Falsettos” (Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle nominations), “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” (Tony, Drama Desk nominations), “Anything Goes,” “9 to 5: The Musical” (Drama Desk nomination), “The Pirate Queen,” “The Boy From Oz,” “Wicked.” Off-Broadway: “Brigadoon” (Encores); “Little Miss Sunshine” (Drama Desk nomination); “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark” (Drama Desk nomination). Film and television: “iMorcecai,” “Bluff City Law,” Rise, “Madam Secretary,” “Orange Is the New Black,” “Homeland,” “It Could Be Worse,” “Stephanie J. Block Live From Lincoln Center” for Great Performances on PBS. She currently co-hosts and co-produces “Stages Podcast”with Marylee Fairbanks and can be accessed wherever you get your podcasts. Twitter and Instagram: @stephaniejblock

Sebastian Arcelus (Baker) returns to Broadway after most recently portraying Jay Whitman on the long-running CBS hit series “Madam Secretary.” He is also known for his memorable turn as Lucas Goodwin on the critically acclaimed Netflix original series “House of Cards.” Broadway: “A Time To Kill,” “Elf,” “Jersey Boys,” “Wicked,” “Rent” and “Good Vibrations.” Off-Broadway: “Happiness” (Lincoln Center Theater), “The Blue Flower” (Second Stage) and “Where’s Charley?” (Encores! at City Center). Television: “The Deuce,” “The Leftovers,” “FBI,” “Bull” and “Person of Interest.” Film: “Split,” “Ted 2,” “The Best of Me and The Last Day of August.”

Gavin Creel (Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf). Upcoming: “Walk on Through;” “Confessions of a Museum Novice” (book, music and lyrics, originally commissioned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.) Broadway: “Hello, Dolly!” (Tony Award); “Hair” (Tony nomination); “Thoroughly Modern Millie” (Tony nomination); “Waitress;” “The Book of Mormon;” “She Loves Me;” “La Cage aux Folles.” West End: “The Book of Mormon” (Olivier Award), “Hair,” “Waitress,” “Mary Poppins.” Television: PBS “Stars on Stage,” “American Horror Stories,” “Eloise at the Plaza” and “Eloise at Christmastime.” Original recordings: “GOODTIMENATION,” “Quiet,” “Get Out.” Graduate: University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance. Gavin is a Hermitage Artist Writing Fellow and “Walk on Through” was selected for development at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s 2022 National Musical Theatre Conference.

Kennedy Kanagawa (Milky White). Broadway debut with “Into the Woods.” Recent credits: “Gold Mountain” (Utah Shakespeare Festival), “Adventurephile” (Keen Company), “Saturday Night” (Second Stage), “The Good Swimmer” (BAM), “Lolita, My Love” (NYTW Next Door), “Last Ship to Proxima Centauri” (Portland Stage), “Eastbound” (Village Theatre). All my love to my tribe. kennedykanagawa.com

"Into the Woods” first premiered on Broadway in 1987, winning three Tony Awards including Best Score and Best Book. It has since been produced throughout the world and was adapted into a major motion picture in 2014. Following a sold-out New York City Center Encores! run in May 2022, the production transferred to Broadway as a limited engagement beginning July 2022, marking its first time on Broadway in 20 years.

Tickets for “Into the Woods” start at $40. They are available through CenterTheatreGroup.org, Audience Services at (213) 972-4400 or in person at the Center Theatre Group Box Offices (at the Ahmanson Theatre) at The Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012. Performances run Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.