BROADWAY STAR ARIELLE JACOBS TO PLAY CINDERELLA IN ‘INTO THE WOODS’

Theatre Group Asia (TGA) announces New York-based Fil-Am Broadway star Arielle Jacobs as Cinderella in its production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into The Woods, coming this August at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater (S-PAT).

Tony Award-winning creative and a founding collaborator of TGA, Clint Ramos shares, “TGA aims to foster connections and open conversations between artists of Filipino heritage from the international theater community and local performers who do stellar work in the Philippines. It is about learning from both ends and presenting world-class theater by Filipinos for Filipinos. Arielle has starred in several Broadway shows and touring productions worldwide but has never done a full-length musical in the Philippines. We’re happy she can bring her experience and talent to our production of Into The Woods, at the same time, she gets the chance to discover more about her heritage and roots.” Jacobs was born in San Francisco to a Filipino mother and an American-Jewish father.

Jacobs reports, “I am filled with joy. I have long wished to perform in the Philippines. I feel so lucky to have this opportunity to bring my art back to where my family came from, for the Filipino people I love so much, and in a show that is very special and dear to my heart.”

Jacobs’ Broadway credits include playing Nina Rosario in In the Heights, Nessarose in Wicked, Princess Jasmine in Aladdin, and Imelda in Here Lies Love. Jacobs has starred in the Florida production of Into The Woods, playing the Baker’s Wife. This time, she steps into Cinderella’s glass slippers and smiles, “This is a role I’ve always wanted to play. To be playing it, while sharing the stage with my friend and hero Lea Salonga, on a Philippine stage, is a dream come true on so many levels.”

Jacobs continues, “As a kid, this musical was one of the first cast albums I heard. It has been my favorite show ever since! The lyrics ask us to think deeply and differently about the world and how things are often complex, and not as one-sided as they may seem at first glance.”

Into The Woods is based on James Lapine’s book, who also directed the original Broadway run. The grand scale sees 18 main characters amidst a fantastical and elaborate backdrop that captures the public’s imagination. Considered a dark comedy, the plot intertwines several fairy tale characters’ exploits tied together by a childless baker and his wife who set off on a journey to break a witch’s curse preventing the couple from having a child. What ensues is a magical spectacle that dramatically portrays the impact and consequences of specific choices and actions.

Ramos stands as the production’s overall artistic director, stage and costume designer, and co-producer alongside John and Joanna Echauz, and S-PAT executive director Chris Mohanani. The show is directed by Chari Arespacochaga.

For more information about Into The Woods, visit www.theatregroupasia.com, or follow Facebook and Instagram @theatregroupasia.