Into the Woods is a Reminder That Orlando is Ridiculously Talented

Last night, we attended the opening night of Into the Woods at Steinmetz Hall, a self-produced musical by the Dr. Phillips Center. Led by Disney Legend and Tony Award nominee Jodi Benson, the production brought together a cast that showcased the remarkable depth of Orlando's performing arts community.

Throughout the night as performers made their first appearance, they were met with cheers from the crowd of locals who knew who they were and celebrated their work. Benson, whose career has inspired generations (like mine) through Broadway, Disney and television, received one of the loudest ovations of the night.

The Dr Phillips Center for Performing Arts, itself, is something worthy of praise. We’re lucky to have a performing arts venue of this caliber here in town. But what really stood out about last night's experience, was the people who shared the stage.

For myself, I don't spend a lot of time at the theme parks. I appreciate what they bring to Orlando, and I enjoy visiting from time to time, but you'll usually find me seeking out experiences created by our local community. That's where I naturally gravitate.

Because of that, it's easy to forget something that should probably be obvious.

Orlando is filled with an extraordinary number of world-class performers.

Many of the performers from last night's show spend their days entertaining guests at our theme parks, aboard cruise ships, and on stages throughout Central Florida.

Last night was a reminder of just how deep that talent pool really is.

For those unfamiliar with Into the Woods, the Tony Award-winning musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine intertwines familiar fairy tales including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and Rapunzel into a story that explores wishes, consequences and what happens after "happily ever after."

I walked into Steinmetz Hall with only a basic understanding of the story. By the end, I understood why so many people love it.

Every performer on stage delivered, but like everyone else, I found myself gravitating toward a few favorites.

The Wolf was impossible not to watch. He brought a playful, mischievous energy to every scene, and I found myself smiling every time he appeared, even though he wasn’t on stage very long. Jodi Benson's portrayal of the Witch was captivating, especially the musical/rap number she did in the beginning. As someone who grew up watching The Little Mermaid, it was great to experience her talents in an entirely different way.

And then there was Little Red Riding Hood. Watching her character evolve from an innocent, spirited child into someone who found confidence and strength over the course of the story was one of my favorite character arcs of the evening.

By the time you're reading this, all the shows will probably be sold out (It’s a short run). I'm not writing this to say go get tickets, but I am writing this to say the next time there's a show with a local cast, don't skip on it.

Orlando is ridiculously talented.