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Into the Woods, Virginia Samford Theatre — *Into the Woods* lights up the stage, Feb. 1-18, in Birmingham. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Have you ever wondered what happened to your favorite fairytale characters, like Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf? Find out in Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods at the Virginia Samford Theatre, February 1-18. Ticket sales are hot—get yours now.

Into the Woods at Virginia Samford Theatre—event details

What: Virginia Samford Theatre presents Into the Woods
When:
- Thursday, Feb. 1-Sunday, Feb. 18 | Thursday-Saturday 7:30PM, Sunday 2:30PM
Where: Virginia Samford Theatre, 1116 26th St S, Birmingham, AL 35205
Cost: Adults $45 | Students $23
Tickets

Behind the musical Into the Woods at Virginia Samford Theatre

If you’re like me, you may not be familiar with the tale of Into the Woods. After some research, listening to a number of songs and speaking with a few VST cast members, I went from semi-intrigued to full-on fan. There’s something about this production that just draws you in.

Here’s a closer look.

Into the Woods is a 1987 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim—one of Broadway’s greatest and most innovative composers.

Into the Woods intertwines the plot of several Brothers Grimm fairytales, exploring the modern human quest for family, love and compassion. But it’s not the same fairytale stories you already know in this version.

Instead, you’re given answers to questions you always wondered about some of your favorite fairytale characters, like is Cinderella really happy living the royal life with Prince Charming? And is Jack missing his beanstalk kingdom in the sky?

See, I told you it would pique your interest.

Get your tickets to Into the Woods at Virginia Samford Theatre, February 1-18.

See Birmingham’s top performers in Into the Woods, Feb. 1-18

(L) Nate Blakely (Wolf); (M) Lydia Yates (Little Red); (R) Christopher Sams (Baker). (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now)

Bringing Into the Woods to life is a phenomenal cast featuring some of Birmingham’s top performers, from actors to singers and dancers.

I had the opportunity to speak with three of them. Here’s a look at who they are and why you’ll love their roles:

Lydia Yates—Little Red: “Little Red is fun, curious and has an air of childlike innocence. She’s can be incredibly funny! Her naïveté is charming and keeps the audience rooting for her.”

Christopher Sam—Baker: “The Baker begins the show very differently from who he ultimately becomes by the end. Audiences will like him because of the character’s arc.”

Nate Blakely—Wolf: “It’s always super fun to play the bad guy. I think the audience will enjoy the Wolf’s character because of his charisma and awesome dance moves.”

Get tickets now to this Stephen Sondheim classic in Birmingham

One of my favorite things about seeing theatre productions is the costumes and sets. Lydia filled me in on a few things to expect, and let me say, it sounds magical.

“Director Chelsea Reynold’s vision for this production is to be blatantly theatrical. From the moment you walk into the theatre, you see three big storybook-esque setups and giant cutouts of trees.

Nobody walks in thinking ‘Wow, these trees look so real!’ From the beginning, we know we are about to have stories told to us like children.”
Lydia Yates, actress

But that doesn’t mean the show is meant for children. According to Lydia, Chris and Nate, Into the Woods is rated PG-13, so a wide range of ages will enjoy it.

“If you’re anything like me, the story and the music will change your life! At its core, Into the Woods touches the place in us that yearns, that longs, that desires. And that’s something we can all relate to.”
Lydia Yates, actress

Secure your seats—grab your tickets now to Into the Woods at Virginia Samford Theatre, February 1-18.

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