Here is the third of four blogs discussing the 2002 revival of
Into the Woods. Previous installments in this series discussed
the show itself and the
creative team.
Given that
Into the Woods is such an intricately woven story, with each character large and small offering some impact on the overall piece, I hesitated to divide the cast into supporting and principal groups. But, after reviewing the cast list, listening to the cast recording, and considering the script again, I decided to do so. Of course, this Tony-winning revival, like its original cast predecessor, has an outstanding ensemble company, so delineating between the groups mostly comes down to size of role, and in no way diminishes the impact that each actor brought to the piece.
So, here's a look at the supporting cast of the 2002 revival of
Into the Woods:
Chapman (left) in Caroline, or Change
Tracy Nicole Chapman (Florinda)
Before Into the Woods: The Who's Tommy, How to Succeed..., The Life, The Lion King (original cast - Shenzi),
The Music Man
During Into the Woods: She understudied the role of the Witch.
Since Into the Woods: Caroline, or Change (The Radio)
Dame Judith Dench
Judi Dench (The Giant)
Before Into the Woods: A storied career in London, New Work, and on film, television and stage. She has appeared on Broadway only 3 times, including her Tony-winning turn in
Amy's View in 1999. Her honors include 7 Olivier Awards, and 6 Oscar nominations/1 Oscar (
Shakespeare in Love). She was named Dame by the The Order of the British Empire in 1988.
During Into the Woods: The acclaimed actress never appeared in the show. Her voice was recorded for the production.
Since Into the Woods: She continues to make films (including the role of M in every James Bond film since 1995's
Golden Eye.
Dye (left) with Woods co-star Vanessa Williams at
the opening of Irving Berlin's White Christmas
Melissa Dye (Rapunzel)
Before Into the Woods: Grease! (1994 revival - as Sandy (replacement))
During Into the Woods: She, along with Vanessa Williams, introduced the song "Our Little World" to Broadway audiences.
Since Into the Woods: She has not appeared on Broadway since.
Kelly (right) with Into the Woods original cast member,
Joy Franz, in the National Tour of Damn Yankees
Dennis Kelly (Cinderella's Father)
Before Into the Woods: Damn Yankees (1994 revival as Joe Boyd),
Annie Get Your Gun (1999 revival as a replacement Buffalo Bill Cody)
During Into the Woods: He understudied the roles of Narrator and Mysterious Man.
Since Into the Woods: He has not appeared on Broadway since.
Kendall (center, left) in the National Tour
of The Color Purple
Trent Armand Kendall (The Steward)
During Into the Woods: The revival was his Broadway debut.
Since Into the Woods: He has not appeared in another Broadway show, but has been very active in the benefit performance area of the New York theatre scene, having appeared in benefit productions of
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Hair and
Chess.
Chad Kimball in Memphis
Chad Kimball (Milky White)
During Into the Woods: The revival was his Broadway debut. He is (so far) the only human to play this role on Broadway. He also understudied the roles of Jack, Rapunzel's Prince and the Wolf.
Since Into the Woods: Good Vibrations, Lennon and
Memphis (Tony Award nominee - Best Actor in a Musical)
Malenke in a regional production
of The Pirates of Penzance
Jennifer Malenke (The Horse)
During Into the Woods: The revival marked her Broadway debut. She is (so far) the only human to play this role on Broadway. She was also the Dance Captain and understudied the roles of Florinda, Milky White and Rapunzel.
Since Into the Woods: She has not appeared on Broadway since.
Myers (right) in the original Broadway
production of Company
Pamela Myers (Cinderella's Stepmother)
Before Into the Woods: Company (original cast as Marta; 1971 Tony Award nominee Best Featured Actress in a Musical)
During Into the Woods: She understudied the role of Jack's Mother.
Since Into the Woods: She has not appeared on Broadway since, though she continues to direct and produce regionally.
Amanda Naughton (Lucinda)
Before Into the Woods: The Secret Garden
During Into the Woods: She understudied the role of the Baker's Wife.
Since Into the Woods: She has not appeared on Broadway since, but has an extensive resume in regional theatre and television.
Coming soon: The Principal Cast of the 2002 revival of
Into the Woods. Which of them lived happily ever after?
Comments? Leave one here, email me at
jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com or Tweet me!
Jeff
2.164
Good Vibrations: (If you look closely above, Sebastian Arcelus is center and Chad is in the center of the group to the right, orange pants!)
