Mandarin version of Into the Woods to debut

[Photo/Xinhua]

A Mandarin version of Stephen Sondheim's musical Into the Woods will make its debut in China this month.

The Mandarin production will be directed by Tom Ossowski with Post Playhouse at a Central Academy of Drama theater from Nov. 30 to Dec. 8.

The drama features themes such as growing up, parents and children, as well as responsibility and morality. The Chinese version will highlight "parents and children," and "wish fulfillment and its consequences," Ossowski said.

The musical consists of major characters from several Brothers Grimm fairy tales, including Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Cinderella. It follows the journey of a childless baker and his wife, who go into the woods searching for four ingredients they need to lift a curse of a witch and start a family. They met these fairy tale characters during their journey.

Into the Woods debuted in San Diego, U.S., in 1986, and premiered on Broadway on Nov 5, 1987.