NEMPAC Opera Project opens its 11th season with Stephen Sondheim’s "Into the Woods" in collaboration with the Boston Festival Orchestra, performing June 16 and 18 in the South End.

Alyssa Wang, artistic director of the BFO and the conductor for this show, as well as Nick Brown, executive director, live in Arlington. He is overseeing this project as well as the summer mainstage concerts.

 Performances are at the Plaza Theatre at the Boston Center for the Arts, Tremont Street, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 16, and Saturday, June 18.

In the cast are Erin Anderson, Sofia Chavarro, Clare Cho, Josaphat Contreras, Christina English, Elyza Guzman, Tyreese Kadle, Stephanie Mann, Hannah McKenna, Elijah McTiernan, Isabella Rivera, Emma Robertson, Alexander Robinson, Alivia Rowe, Hannah Shanefield, Lizzy Stant, Anthony Teixeira, Mauri Tetreault, and Fred C. VanNess Jr.

The production will be stage-directed by Alexandra Dietrich, NEMPAC artistic director.

 Dietrich said in a news release:“This is a first of many kinds for us – the first musical we have produced, the first collaboration with the ground-breaking Boston Festival Orchestra, and our first performance at the Boston Center for the Arts.

"We cannot think of a more fitting way for our organization to return to live audiences, fully-staged performances than with a show that asks for artists from all backgrounds in the performing arts: theatre, dance, instrumentalists, and both musical theater and opera singers.

"It’s a statement of persevering through the unknown with a united goal of a better tomorrow and the eternal quest of 'Happ(ier) Ever After' through challenging life lessons."

Wang remarks, “It is with great pride that we look forward to our collaboration with the inspiring NEMPAC Opera Project! During these arduous times, we appreciate more than ever the chance to come together in the name of music, across multiple areas of performing arts, to create magic in front of a live audience. We hope that you will join us in June so that you can share in our collective joy and be amazed by the mastery, imagination, and insight of Mr. Sondheim.”

TICKETS*: VIP $65, General Admission $30, Student $20 => Tickets HERE

*Proof of vaccination is required upon entry. See our full Health Safety Policy HERE.

Donations may be made to www.nempacboston.org/donate with the memo line “NEMPAC OPERA PROJECT.” 

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This news announcement was published Tuesday, June 7, 2022.