FROM THE DIRECTOR

Joel Ferrell

Once upon a time, an American composer and lyricist found himself, after a dazzling early career, licking his wounds over a failed project. The year was 1981 and the project, well let’s just roll along merrily past that episode, shall we? Determined to give up theater, this tuneful poet thought he might head for Hollywood or pen a mystery novel. But alas, he wandered south on the isle of Manhattan and saw a play at the Public Theater that so inspired him, he knew he couldn’t escape his theatrical fate. Instead, he fashioned a musical about the making of art, and all the anguish and loneliness that accompanies the making.

His fans happily spent their Sunday in the park, exploring the protagonist’s pain, and taking pleasure in cheering our poet again. Our hero paused, mulled his future, and resolved to pen a comedy next. Enough with the sturm and drang of the soul, some laughs would liven his journey and ours. The result: a frolic into the woods that delighted and vexed and delivered a hex on all who took the journey. Though dark at times, the musical made us laugh at our foibles, smile at our frailties, and see each other as fellow travelers, all hoping to live just a little bit more…happily ever after.

I wish. I wish I could return to the Martin Beck Theater and the preview performance of INTO THE WOODS I saw with my boyfriend on a cold winter’s night in 1987. I wish I could relive the wild joy I felt as the curtain fell on act one. I wish I had known Stephen Sondheim personally, met him for drinks after the show, been the first to read lyrics the whole world now loves.

But alas, like most of us, I will have to be content knowing him through his astonishing body of work. So be it. At every moment in our evolution, we need reminders we are all on the journey together, that we rise or fall as one, and that with every decision, every path we choose, the next generation deals with the consequences. Stephen Sondheim scored the human journey, he musicalized every emotion, and often while listening to his genius, I laugh while I cry, or cry as I laugh. If I seem a bit sentimental, it’s because he’s no longer around to deliver more fits of tears and laughter to the world. He’s no longer here to guide us.

I have one more wish. I wish all of you a happy journey with us through the woods.

2022-2023 SEASON SPONSORS

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CHRISTINA AUSTIN LOPEZ (Cinderella) is a proud member of DTC’s Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company. DTC: Our Town (Emilia), Clue (Yvette), The Sound of Music (Leisl), Tiny Beautiful Things, In the Heights, The Odyssey, A Christmas Carol, and Native Gardens. Regional: The Music Man (Theatre Three), 72 Miles to Go (Eva, Alley Theatre), West Side Story (Rosalia, A.D. Players), Christmas at Pemberley (MST Houston), Rapture Blister Burn (Avery, 4th Wall Theatre), A Christmas Carol (Zach Theatre), In the Heights (NCT), and The House on Mango Street (CaraMia Theatre). Baylor University: Fiddler on the Roof (Hodel), Crazy for You (Irene), and Spring Awakening (Wendla). TikTok: @xtina_lopez christinaaustinlopez.com Luke 1:37

OWEN BEANS (Understudy for Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf and Rapunzel’s Prince) is excited to make his DTC debut having moved back to the metroplex after a number of years spent living and working in NYC. Owen has appeared on stages all across the country as well as in NYC. Most recently he was seen in Beautiful at Casa Manana. Favorite past credits include: Kinky Boots (Harry), Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus), Newsies (Jack Kelly), The Wedding Singer (Robbie Hart), Rock of Ages (Drew), Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat (Reuben). BFA: Abilene Christian University. Love to Ally. www.OwenBeans.com @OwenBeans

SARAH COMLEY CALDWELL (Understudy for Baker’s Wife, Jack’s Mother, Cinderella’s Stepmother, Lucinda, and Florinda) is elated and grateful to be making her Dallas Theater Center debut! Favorite DFW credits include: Miss Shingle in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder and The Ballad of Little Joe at Watertower Theatre, as well as Evita (Lyric Stage, Casa Mañana), Sweeney Todd (Casa Mañana), Fruma Sarah in Fiddler on the Roof (Lyric Stage), and Signora Naccarelli in The Light in the Piazza (Brick Road Theatre). Other credits include national and international tours of The Sound of Music, Titanic (Alice Beane) and regional theaters including the Ordway and Fulton Opera House. She is a graduate of Wichita State University. Abundant Thanks to Judy across the pond, and Always and Forever Love to Frank. Instagram: @inspiredsarahc

OLIVIA DE GUZMAN (Cinderella’s Stepmother, Giant, Understudy for Witch) is a proud member of the Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company at Dallas Theater Center. Previously at DTC: Native Gardens, Clue, two productions of A Christmas Carol, as well as teaching for Public Works and past DTC programs. She has performed on many stages in the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex, in New York, and on tour. oliviadeguzman.com - Love to Jeff.

JAELLE DUFF (Child) is so elated to be back with Dallas Theater Center in her third production. She was last seen in The Sound of Music and Our Town/Nuestro Pueblo. She recently excelled as Flounder in The Little Mermaid Jr. (New Song School of the Arts). Jaelle is a sweet, smart, and creative young lady who enjoys reading, singing, dancing, and performing musical theater. In 2021, she released her first children’s book entitled, A Girl and Her Imagination.

AMBER MARIE FLORES (Lucinda, Understudy for Baker’s Wife, Little Red Ridinghood, and Jack’s Mother) is excited to be back at DTC to do this dream show! Previous work includes: Charlotte’s Web (Charlotte, Casa Manana), A Christmas Carol (Lucy/ Guitarist- Dallas Theater Center), First Date (Casey, Stage West), A Doll’s House Part 2 (EmmyStage West), West Side Story (Rosalia, Casa Mañana), Jekyll and Hyde (Casa Mañana), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hermia, Trinity Shakespeare Festival), Winter’s Tale (Perdita, Trinity Shakespeare Festival), The Comedy of Errors (Luciana, Trinity Shakespeare Festival) Lovers and Executioners (Constance, Circle Theatre), Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike (Nina, Stage West), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Lyric Stage), Newsies (Lyric Stage). Amber is a proud graduate of TCU (’14) Instagram: Ambermarieacts22

HOLLYN GAYLE (Little Red Ridinghood) is elated to be making her Dallas Theater Center debut in Into The Woods National/International Tour: The Wizard Of Oz. Select regional: Footloose, Violet, Hello, Dolly! (Ozark Actors Theatre), The Wizard Of Oz (Fireside Theatre), Seussical (Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre), The Little Mermaid (Variety Theatre STL), and Church Basement Ladies (Playhouse at Westport Plaza). Thanks to DTC and Eisenberg/Beans Casting for the opportunity! Love to her husband, Alex, and her family. 1 John 4:16. HollynGayle.com @hollyngayle

BLAKE HACKLER (Baker) is an actor, writer and director originally from Texas. As an actor, Blake has appeared on Broadway, off Broadway and regional theaters throughout the country. He holds an MFA in Acting from the Yale School of Drama. He is a two-time Fulbright Senior Scholar to Bulgaria and Romania, a MacDowell Fellow, and holds faculty positions at SMU and Yale University. Member, Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company.

BOB HESS (Narrator/Mysterious Man/Cinderella’s Father/Cinderella’s Mother/Granny) is a member of DTC’s Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company, last appearing on the DTC stage in Native Gardens, Trouble In Mind, The Odyssey, The Sound of Music, Our Town/Nuestro Pueblo, A Christmas Carol, and To Kill a Mockingbird. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, he has appeared on nearly every stage in the Metroplex over the last 40 years, most recently in WaterTower Theatre’s I Am My Own Wife and Stage West’s regional premiere of The Children. The recipient of numerous awards from DFW Critics’ Forum and Broadway World, Bob is represented by The Mary Collins Agency and is proud to serve as an Assistant Professor of Theatre at University of North Texas.

BRAXTON O. JOHNSON (Steward, Understudy for Rapunzel’s Prince, Narrator/Mysterious Man/Cinderella’s Father/ Cinderella’s Mother/Granny) is thrilled to bring in spring by traveling Into the Woods here at Dallas Theater Center. Notable roles include Lord Capulet in Romeo and Juliet, Trinculo in The Tempest, Man in the Yellow Suit in Tuck Everlasting, Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Show, Donkey in Shrek the Musical, and the Cowardly Lion in The Wiz Braxton would like to thank all the staff and creatives at DTC for making this show possible.

SKYLAR JOHNSON (Child) age 11, is a 5th grader in CFBISD and is excited to return to Dallas Theater Center! He recently played Tiny Tim in the 2022 production of A Christmas Carol. Previous credits include Mysterious Man in Into the Woods JR (The Firehouse Theatre), Mr. Mayor in Seussical JR (The Firehouse Theatre), and Have Yourself A Broadway Little Christmas (MainStage Irving*Las Colinas). Skylar would like to thank his parents, grandmas, Miss Sam, and all of the supportive stage aunties and uncles encouraging him along the way. Skylar is represented by The Linicomn Agency.

TAYLOR NASH (Rapunzel, Understudy for Cinderella) is out of her mind excited to be back on stage with DTC! She is beaming with pride to be surrounded by such a talented cast and crew. Some of her favorite credits include: Hairspray (Dallas Theater Center); Hair (Dallas Theater Center); Matilda (Casa Mañana); The Music Man (Theatre Three). She couldn’t go on without thanking her Mom, Dad, Chase, The Swensons, The Bowlings, and of course, her husband, Sam. She hopes you fall in love with this story, as much as she has. Enjoy! @taylorraenash

ALEX ORGAN (Wolf, Cinderella’s Prince) is a member of Dallas Theater Center’s Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company where his credits include: Clue, The Odyssey, The Sound of Music, Our Town/Nuestro Pueblo, Cake Ladies, Working: A Musical, Little Women, Twelfth Night, White Rabbit Red Rabbit, The Trials of Sam Houston, Frankenstein, Miller, Mississippi, Inherit the Wind, Electra, Constellations, Dreamgirls, All The Way, Sense and Sensibility, The Rocky Horror Show, Les Misérables, The Fortress of Solitude, Fly By Night, eight productions of A Christmas Carol, and three Public Works Dallas pageants. Local/Regional: Second Thought Theatre; Undermain Theatre; Theatre Three; WaterTower Theatre; Trinity Shakespeare Festival; Shakespeare Dallas; Lyric Stage; Epic Theater Ensemble; Repertory Theatre of St. Louis; Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; Alley Theatre. Alex was the Artistic Director at Second Thought Theater from 2015-2020, and holds an MFA from the Yale School of Drama.

TARA PARK (Understudy for Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Ridinghood, Lucinda, and Florinda) is so excited to be making her Dallas Theater Center debut! Previous roles include Philia in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Lyric Stage), Brenda Strong in Catch Me If You Can (Firehouse Theatre), and Sister Mary Robert in Sister Act (Theatre Arlington). She feels honored to be surrounded by an incredible cast and crew. Tara would like to thank her friends and family for all of their love and support. It means everything, truly. Enjoy the show! @tarampark

RACHEL NICOLE POOLE (Florinda, Understudy for Witch, Rapunzuel and Cinderella’s Stepmother) is excited to return to the Wyly for her second Dallas Theater Center production! She was last seen as the title role in Aida with Lyric Stage Dallas. Her recent credits include: Mrs. Cratchit in A Christmas Carol (Dallas Theater Center), Zoe in The Danger Year (The Table Co|Lab), State Fair Singer in The Bridges of Madison County (Watertower Theatre), and Lauren in Kinky Boots (Uptown Players). As a teaching artist, Rachel has worked with students at countless theaters in Dallas/Fort Worth, including Dallas Theater Center, Casa Mañana and Broadway Dallas. Rachel is grateful to her family & friends for their love and support! Go Frogs & enjoy the show! www.rachelnicolepoole.com @poolerthanyou

CHRISTOPHER LLEWYN RAMIREZ (Rapunzel’s Prince, Understudy for Wolf, Cindrella’s Prince, Baker) is a member of Dallas Theater Center’s Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company, where his credits include: Public Works Dallas’ The Odyssey; Working: A Musical; In the Heights; Public Works Dallas’ As You Like It, Twelfth Night; Sweat; White Rabbit Red Rabbit; Hair, Hood: The Robin Hood Musical Adventure. Regional: American Mariachi (Goodman Theatre). Last Summer, Chris co-created and directed a pro-wrestling play, Lucha Teotl, which sold out its entire run in the 2021 AT&T Elevator Project. Other directing credits include: Luchadora! (Cara Mia Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors (Junior Players and UTD) and assistant director of A Christmas Carol (Dallas Theater Center). @chrisllewynramirez

CHERISH LOVE ROBINSON (Witch) is a multi-hyphenate singer, musician, music producer, and actor. Her voice and vocal production have been featured on ABC’s ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and HBO’s ‘Big Little Lies’. Sharing her love of the arts as a vocal coach and mentor to all is one of her many passions. Her debut single, ’Say Their Name’, was released February of this year and she is writing a book called, ‘The Artist Parallel’, slated for release later this year. www.cherishloverobinson.com

ALEJANDRO SAUCEDO (Understudy for Jack and Steward) is excited to be working with Dallas Theater Center! Graduating from TCU, Alejandro has appeared regionally at Theatre Three: Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour) and The Music Man (Winthrop/Tommy Djilas), Circle Theatre: Sweeney Todd (Tobias) and Young Frankenstein (Igor), Stage West: Scrooge in Rouge (Lottie), and Casa Mañana: Sweeney Todd (Tobias).

TIFFANY SOLANO (Baker’s Wife) joined Dallas Theater Center’s Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company in 2018. Favorite roles at Dallas Theater Center include Maria in The Sound of Music and Nina in In the Heights. Other DTC credits include: Native Gardens, Clue, Public Works Dallas’ The Odyssey; Working: A Musical; Something Grim(m); In the Bleak Midwinter: A Christmas Carol for Our Time; American Mariachi; Public Works Dallas’ As You Like It; Twelfth Night; and three seasons of A Christmas Carol. She has performed at theaters nationwide, most recently at The Goodman in Chicago. Other regional highlights: The Mark Taper Forum, Denver Center Theatre, South Coast Repertory, San Jose Repertory, Mixed Blood Theatre and Will & Company. Locally, she has performed with Theatre Three, Dallas Children’s Theater, Cara Mía Theatre Co. and Dallas Museum of Art / Arts & Letters Live Other notable credits include Cesar and Ruben: The Musical, written and directed by Ed Begley Jr.; and flying on a magic carpet in Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular as Princess Jasmine. She has also appeared in numerous commercials, television, and film productions and recently began her anime voice-over journey with Crunchyroll. She is represented by Kim Dawson Agency. For my children: Sofia, Nolan and baby Penelope, set to make her arrival July 2023. @tiffanyesolano

KEVIN SOLIS (Understudy for Jack, Steward, and Rapunzel’s Prince) Kevin is extremely excited to be back at DTC! DTC productions include In the Heights (Piraguero), The Odyssey (Featured Musician), and Babalu: La Vida Es Muy Larga (Orchestra). Other Credits include: How The Grinch Stole Christmas (Papa Who, The Old Globe), In the Heights (Piraguero, La Mirada), The House on Mango Street (Cousin Louie/Ensemble, Cara Mía Theater Co), Romeo and Juliet (Peter/Balthasar, Shakespeare Dallas), and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Elf/Bumble/Birdfish, Casa Mañana)! Special thanks to his Family, Friends, and amazing girlfriend Christina for all the love and support! Proverbs 3:5-6. IG: Sirkevykev

SALLY NYSTUEN VAHLE (Jack’s Mother) is a member of the Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company. The 2022-2023 season marks Sally’s 30th year acting on the stages at Dallas Theater Center. Some of Sally’s favorite DTC roles include: Virginia Butley in Native Gardens; Marley and Old Joe in A Christmas Carol, Mrs. White in Clue, Ouiser in Steel Magnolias; Mildred in Miller, Mississippi; Scrooge in A Christmas Carol; Fraulein Kost in Cabaret; Medea in Medea; Clytemnestra in Electra, and Tracey in Sweat. Sally is Professor of Acting in the Department of Dance and Theater at the University of North Texas. Representation: The Mary Collins Agency. www. sallyvahle.com and www.sallyvahlevoiceover.com

ESTEBAN VILCHEZ (Understudy for Narrator/Mysterious man/Cinderella’s Father/Cinderella’s Mother/Granny, Baker, Steward, and Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince) is joining Dallas Theater Center for his third production. Notable roles include Young Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, 2022 , Landscaper/Understudy for Pablo in Native Gardens (Dallas Theater Center), and Edward Bloom in Big Fish (Firehouse Theatre), Esteban thanks DTC, Eisenberg/Beans Casting, and the production team for this incredible opportunity. He is grateful to his father who is the backbone to his performance and who taught him and pushed him to learn everything he knows and his wife who is his biggest cheerleader and support system.

ZACHARY J. WILLIS (Jack) is member of DTC’s Diane and Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company, where his credits includes Trouble in Mind, A Christmas Carol, Public Work Dallas’ The Odyssey, Our Town/Nuestro Pueblo, and Tiny Beautiful Things. Regional: The Music Man (Theatre Three), Spring Awakening (TUTS & Uptown Players), A 3D Adventure (Circle Theatre), Xanadu (Stages Repertory Theatre), and The First Noel (Jubilee Theatre, Irma P. Hall Black Theatre Award Recipient). Zach is represented by the Mary Collins Agency and studied Musical Theatre at Sam Houston State University. Zach sends much love to his parents and the rest of his family for, “planting the seeds and watching them grow.” zacharyjwillis.com @zacharyjwillis