New theater group brings Sondheim musical ‘Into the Woods’ to outdoor Bradenton venue

Jay Handelman, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·2 min read
The cast of Jump Encore’s outdoor production of “Into the Woods,” which will be presented at Hunsader Farms.
The cast of Jump Encore’s outdoor production of “Into the Woods,” which will be presented at Hunsader Farms.

A new theater group is making its debut by going into nature in Bradenton to produce an outdoor production of the Stephen Sondheim-James Lapine musical “Into the Woods.”

The musical is about some familiar (and original) fairy tale characters who venture into the woods to have wishes come true. They all seem to live happily ever after until a giant arrives in their small kingdom, providing a reminder that, as the lyrics say, “wishes come true, not free.”

Arts Newsletter: Sign up to receive the latest news on the Sarasota area arts scene every Monday

Reviving traditions: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus planning 2023 comeback — without animals

The production, which will be staged at Hunsader Farms, comes from Jump Encore, an extension of the Jump Dance Company, which has been providing dance classes and children’s productions for 16 years.

Jessica Babcock, who has performed in numerous shows in the area and teaches at the studio, said she wanted to create a production for adults that would be good for family audiences.

“I’m a huge fairy tale fan and ‘Into the Woods’ was one of the last shows I did with my mom’s theater company in New York before we moved down here,” she said. “I wanted to do it again and experiment. Once I found the space at Hunsader Farms, I started thinking of different shows we could do out here. Every family loves to see fairy tales.”

Derek Brookens plays the Baker and Danae DeShazer is the Baker’s Wife in an outdoor production of the musical “Into the Woods.”
Derek Brookens plays the Baker and Danae DeShazer is the Baker’s Wife in an outdoor production of the musical “Into the Woods.”

Babcock, a graduate of the Booker High School Visual and Performing Arts Center, is co-directing the production with Cory Boyas and working with musical director Emily Croome and an 11-member cast will be familiar from other local productions.

Derek Brookens, a newcomer to the area, and Danae DeShazer, play the Baker and the Baker’s Wife, who are trying to get a witch’s curse reversed so they can have a child. The witch is played by Kelly Leissler. Melanie Bierewiler will play Cinderella, Ashley Figlow is Rapunzel, Todd Maddex and Tanner Fults play princes. Josh Devine is Jack (of beanstalk fame) and Danielle Snelling plays both Jack’s Mother and Cinderella’s mother. Chris Caswell appears as The Mysterious Man and other characters, and Babcock plays Little Red Riding Hood.

Performances will be presented at 7 p.m. Thursday through Nov. 14 (with a preview on Wednesday) on the stage at Hunsader Farms, 5500 County Road 675, Bradenton. Tickets are $25 and $15 for students up to 18. VIP tables for four, including a bottle of wine, photos with the cast and a poster are $150. There are wooden benches available at the outdoor venue, but Babcock said patrons are encouraged to bring outdoor chairs for greater comfort. Food and a petting zoo will be available before the show and at intermission.

For more information: jumpencore.com

Follow Jay Handelman on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Contact him at jay.handelman@heraldtribune.com. And please support local journalism by subscribing to the Herald-Tribune.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Musical ‘Into the Woods’ presented at Bradenton’s Hunsader Farms