Into the Woods
Opening: The applause has barely died down for Theater Latté Da's production of "Oliver" last month and the company is hoisting another major staging, this time at the Ritz Theater in northeast Minneapolis. Director Peter Rothstein tackles Stephen Sondheim's sideways glance at fairy tales with a crackerjack cast that includes Greta Oglesby, David Darrow and Britta Ollmann. Rothstein has set the musical, with book by James Lapine, in a Bavarian beer garden. Ten actors will play more than 25 characters, including Jack in the Beanstalk, a Witch, Cinderella, Rapunzel, a Baker and Little Red Riding Hood. "I was always fascinated by the Witch and I wanted to play her," said Oglesby. "Peter asked and of course I said yes. Peter is a director I've wanted to work with." Oglesby sang "Children Will Listen" (from this play) at a Latté Da cabaret and Rothstein liked how she interpreted the song. This will be Latté Da's first full staging at the Ritz, best known until now as home of Ballet of the Dolls. Darrow was in the company's "Our Town" and Ollmann portrayed the title character in "Violet." Jason Hansen, who led the band in Latté Da's "Aida," returns as music director. (7:30 p.m. Sat., 2 p.m. Sun., 7:30 p.m. Wed.-Fri. Ends March 29; the Ritz Theater, 345 13th Av. NE., Mpls.; $31-$45, 612-339-3003 or latteda.org)
Graydon Royce
