DANBURY - Musicals at Richter, celebrating its 33rd season as the longest-running outdoor theater in Connecticut, will kick off the summer on June 16 with Into the Woods, Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's epic Tony Award-winning musical take on intertwining fairy tales, wishes, and the challenges of life beyond "happily ever after."

Staged on the grounds of Richter Arts Center, performances take place outdoors under the stars Friday through Sunday evenings at 8:30 pm, with additional specially discounted performances on Thursday, June 22 and 29.

With a clever book by Lapine and a soaringly beautiful score by Sondheim, the play takes favorite storybook characters and brings them together to create a new "fractured" fairy tale adventure that is humorous, sophisticated, heartwarming, and poignant.

The story follows a baker and his wife who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King's Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a witch's curse, the two set off on a journey into the forest to reverse the curse.

Everyone's wish is eventually granted, but the consequences of their actions and other unexpected challenges force the characters to re-examine their priorities and deepest desires.

The lush and varied score includes "No One Is Alone," "I Know Things Now," "Giants in the Sky," "It Takes Two," "Stay With Me," "Children Will Listen," and the title song.

Directed and choreographed by founding MAR Artistic Director Bradford Blake, Into the Woods features a cast of talented local performers, including many newcomers and MAR veterans.

Tracey Marble portrays the meddlesome and vindictive Witch; Nathan Mandracchia and Carey Van Hollen are the determined Baker and Baker's Wife.

Betsy Simpson takes on the role of ever-hopeful Cinderella; Tori Vacca is the feisty Little Red Riding Hood.

The beanstalk-climbing Jack is portrayed by Tyler Carey. Patrick Spaulding is featured as Narrator and the Mysterious Man.

Sergio Mandujano plays Cinderella's Prince, joined by Stephen Moores as Rapunzel's Prince.

Beth Bria Salvador is Cinderella's ambitious stepmother, and Natalie Hardes and Emma Giorgio are Cinderella's self-absorbed stepsisters, Florinda and Lucinda.

Priscilla Squiers portrays Jack's long-suffering mother, and Cassandra Bielmeier is featured as the tower-dwelling Rapunzel.

Bringing the story to life in multiple roles is a team of narrators, including Will Armstrong, Cathy Cavender, Brian Hinger, Juliana Koziol, Rob Mayette, Rachel Salvador, and Daisy Stott.

Choreographer and director Bradford Blake is joined by prolific musical director and composer Dan Koch, set and lighting designer Jake Liam McGuire, and costume coordinator and MAR Artistic Director Lauren Nicole Sherwood.

Monet Fleming is serving as stage manager, and Joyce Northrop is producer.

The 2017 main stage season will also feature the classic musical West Side Story, July 7-22; and the family favorite Seussical, July 28-August 12.

Main stage musical performances are Friday through Sunday evenings at the arts center, next to Richter Park Golf Course at 100 Aunt Hack Road in Danbury.

Tickets for Into the Woods are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students (with ID), and $10 for children 10 and under.

For the performances on Thursdays, June 22 and 29, tickets are $15, $10, and $5, respectively.

Tickets may be purchased through the Musicals at Richter website (musicalsatrichter.org) or at the door.

Grounds open at 7:15 pm for picnics, with curtain at 8:30 pm. Group rates are available with advance reservation; chair rentals and soft drink/snack concessions are available on site.

For complete details on Musicals at Richter's season, daytime Fairy Tale Theater for children and young people's musical theater workshop offerings, call 203-748-MUSE (203-748-6873) or visit musicalsatrichter.org.

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