Well known local jazz vocalist Binti Baily has been cast as the witch in Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway musical “Into the Woods,” the next mainstage production at Aloha Theatre.
Said Bailey, “I feel beyond blessed. I have been longing to get back to the theatre for some time now, but rarely get to perform at the Aloha due to my gig schedule.”
The role of the witch was popularized by Bernadette Peters on Broadway and by Meryl Streep in the movie adaptation. Bailey will be joined on stage by a group of 22 performers, many of whom regular Aloha Theatre patrons will recognize, and some new faces as well.
The pivotal roles of the baker and the baker’s wife will be played by Winton Nicholson and Amanda Trusty. Kira Kane will appear as Cinderella, Christian Aragon as Jack, and Pamela Hicks as his mother. Cinderella’s father is Hal Snyder, her mother is Erin Deskin, and her stepmother is Tori Sanford. Her two stepsisters, Florinda and Lucinda, are Alicia Hicks and Katie Wickersham. Little Red Riding Hood is Tiffany Kutsunai, her granny is Josey Mae and the wolf is Topher Mann. Rapunzel is Rachel Carr, the Giant is Jackie Baldwin, the Steward is Joe Savarese, Snow White is Jayden Hall, Sleeping Beauty is Ariel Cohen, and the mysterious man is Joel Carr. The two handsome princes, Cinderella’s and Rapunzel’s, are Miguel Montez and Riley Saito. Keeping the story moving along as the narrator is John Holliday.
“Into the Woods” is a magical, imaginative adventure with a moral and political point of view. In 1988, it won Tony Awards for Sondheim for best score and for James Lapine for best book.
The show will be performed at the Aloha Theatre Feb. 7 through March 8, with Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m.
Jerry Tracy is directing, assisted by Christy Aragon. Dale Ross is music director, vocal directors are Marinella Savarese and Linda Rowand, and choreographer is Rachel Carr. Designers include Debbie Rauhe, set; Maxwell Crispo, costumes, Lisa Week, props; Jeff Rowand, lights; Ray Kaneshiro, sound; and Lorraine Wallace and Audrey McCandless, hair and makeup.
Tickets range from $12 to $30, and are available by phone at 731-7437 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, online at AlohaTheatre.com, or at the theatre box office beginning one hour prior to curtain time. Early ticket purchase is recommended for best seat selection. For more information, call 322-9924.