Into The Woods Tickets

Into the Woods created by Stephen Sondheim (music & lyrics) and James Lapine (book), blends classic Brothers Grimm fairy‐tale characters; Cinderella, Jack (from Jack and the Beanstalk), Little Red Riding Hood, and Rapunzel, with an original story about a Baker and his Wife. Bound together by a Witch’s curse, these characters embark into the woods (can you see where the musicals came from?) to fulfill their wishes, only to discover that every wish carries unforeseen consequences.

The show first premiered at San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre in 1986 before transferring to Broadway in 1987. The macabre musical ran for 764 performances and was universally adored, winning Tony Awards for best score, best book, and best actress (Joanna Gleason as the Witch). The original cast album then went on to win the Grammy for best musical theater album. A fairytale moment for all involved. 

But which classic characters made the leap from the storybook to the stage? Check out our guide to the Into The Woods characters below: 

The Baker

The Baker is a harried, insecure every‑man desperately trying to lift a curse that prevents him and his Wife from having a child. Reserved and protective, he grows into maturity through the trials of the woods, learning that life’s messy realities carry meaning alongside magic.

The Baker’s Wife

Pragmatic yet yearning, the Baker’s Wife seeks more than her simple life (and it is very restricted, her own ‘name’ doesn’t give her her own identity). At first she craves a child, and then she gets a taste of royalty. Smart and resolute, she becomes the emotional heart of Act II in songs like “Moments in the Woods,” where she wrestles with guilt, loss, and the complexity of choice.

The Witch

A once-beautiful yet twisted mother and magical exile, the Witch curses the Baker’s family after her garden is stolen. She embarks on her own arc in search of love and control, ultimately realising that clinging to her stolen daughter won’t buy happiness. Her solos, including “Witch’s Lament” and “Last Midnight,” give one of the show’s most powerful emotional journeys.

Cinderella

Kind-hearted and enduring despite cruel treatment from her stepmother and stepsisters, Cinderella dreams of attending the king’s festival. When her wish comes true, she learns that the life she imagined doesn’t satisfy, and she must find her own balance between desire and fulfillment. She sings “On the Steps of the Palace” and joins ensemble pieces like “No One Is Alone.” 

Cinderella’s Prince (sometimes doubled as the Wolf)

Charming, vain, and unreliable, the Prince pursues Cinderella passionately, but is all too ready to abandon her. In some productions, the roles of the Wolf and the Prince are doubled, emphasising his predatory desire. His number “A Very Nice Prince” (shared with Rapunzel’s Prince) skewers fairy‑tale romanticism.

Little Red Riding Hood

A spirited, naïve girl who enters the woods to visit her grandmother, only to be seduced by the Wolf. Her journey teaches her the dangers of naiveté and entices her toward maturity. In Act II she delivers the stirring “I Know Things Now,” reflecting on knowledge gained and innocence lost.

Jack

A dream‑struck youth whose cow, Milky‑White, won’t give milk, Jack trades her for magic beans. Climbing the beanstalk, he encounters giants, wealth, and catastrophic consequences. Energetic and naïve, he ultimately learns responsibility through grief and regret. He sings “Giants in the Sky” in Act I and shares in the ensemble’s fights later.

Opened in 2017, the Bridge Theatre is the first new theatre of its scale to be built in London’s commercial theatre sector in 80 years and has quickly established itself as one of London’s most exciting modern venues. Founded by Nicholas Hytner and Nick Starr (formerly of the National Theatre), the Bridge Theatre is located near Tower Bridge and boasts a flexible auditorium that allows for innovative staging configurations.

Since its opening, the Bridge Theatre has staged a host of notable productions and star-studded plays, including Julius Caesar’s groundbreaking promenade production starring Ben Whishaw and Richard II starring Jonathan Bailey. Its reputation for bold and inventive productions continues to draw major talent and enthusiastic audiences.

What are the best seats at the Bridge Theatre?

Choosing the best seats at the Bridge Theatre really depends on the type of production and your personal preferences. The venue's innovative design means that every seat offers something special.

The stalls at the Bridge Theatre are flat-floor seating that offers a close-up, immersive view of the action — especially important in productions using the venue's signature thrust or in-the-round stage configurations. Seats in the central stalls (Rows C - J) offer a particularly great balance of proximity and full view.

Gallery 1 runs along the sides of the theatre and provides a more elevated view. These seats are perfect if you like a wider perspective of the staging and choreography, and they can be ideal for productions with complex sets or large ensemble casts.

Higher up and slightly more distant, Gallery 2 seats are typically more affordable. They still offer a good view, especially for productions that use a lot of overhead effects or aerial staging. If you’re looking for value without compromising too much on experience, Gallery 2 is a solid choice.

Different seating areas cater to different viewing preferences, and thanks to the thoughtful design, there’s really no “bad seat” at the Bridge Theatre!

Bridge Theatre seating plan

Standing ovations, critical acclaim, and a legacy that redefined Broadway and the West End – Stephen Sondheim’s musicals have it all. Known for his razor-sharp wit, emotional complexity, and masterful storytelling, Sondheim created characters that range from tragic antiheroes to whimsical dreamers. Each role is unforgettable, brought to life with lyrics and melodies that cut straight to the heart. And with Into the Woods returning to London at the Bridge Theatre from 2 December 2025, directed by Jordan Fein, there’s no better time to celebrate the best Stephen Sondheim characters of all time.

1. Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street)

Dark, dangerous, and disturbingly sympathetic, Sweeney Todd remains one of Sondheim’s greatest creations. Wrongfully imprisoned for fifteen years, Todd returns to London hungry for vengeance. Armed with his razor, he unleashes terror on unsuspecting customers while partnering with Mrs. Lovett, the pie shop owner who finds a grisly way to make use of the bodies.

Todd is both victim and villain, a tragic antihero whose haunting baritone and tortured psyche make him endlessly fascinating. Through songs like “Epiphany” and “My Friends,” Sondheim plunges us into the depths of his madness, crafting one of musical theatre’s most chilling characters.

2. The Baker’s Wife (Into the Woods)

Smart, practical, and full of quiet determination, The Baker’s Wife is the beating heart of Into the Woods. She may run a small bakery, but her dreams are far bigger. Cursed with infertility by the Witch, she embarks on a fantastical quest to break the spell, tracking down a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn, and a slipper as pure as gold.

Unlike her husband, she’s resourceful and quick to act, often serving as the voice of reason. The Baker’s Wife represents desire, compromise, and the bittersweet reality that happy endings are rarely simple. Her character arc, especially in “Moments in the Woods,” captures the complexity of love, longing, and sacrifice in a way only Sondheim could write.

3. Bobby (Company)

Bobby (or Bobbie, in the acclaimed gender-swapped revival) is one of musical theatre’s most complex protagonists. Turning 35, unmarried, and surrounded by married friends, Bobby is forced to reflect on his life, his choices, and his fear of intimacy. Through iconic numbers like “Being Alive” and “Someone Is Waiting”, Sondheim explores the messy, modern realities of love, loneliness, and commitment.

Far from a traditional romantic lead, Bobby is flawed, conflicted, and achingly human. It’s this honesty that makes him one of Sondheim’s most relatable characters - proof that sometimes the scariest journey isn’t into the woods, but into your own heart.

4. Desiree Armfeldt (A Little Night Music)

World-weary yet enchanting, Desiree Armfeldt is one of Sondheim’s most glamorous creations. A celebrated actress juggling lovers, regrets, and rekindled passion, Desiree embodies the sophisticated wit of A Little Night Music.

Her show-stopping ballad, “Send in the Clowns”, has become one of Sondheim’s most famous songs – a moment of vulnerability where Desiree’s mask slips to reveal heartbreak and longing. Complex, witty, and deeply human, she’s a reminder that love is rarely simple, but always worth pursuing.

5. Georges Seurat (Sunday in the Park with George)

Inspired by the real-life French painter, Sondheim’s Georges Seurat is an obsessive artist consumed by his vision. In Sunday in the Park with George, his dedication to craft pushes away the people he loves – especially Dot, his muse and mistress.

Through songs like “Finishing the Hat,” Sondheim gives voice to the tension between art and life, showing the sacrifices of genius and the loneliness of creation. Georges isn’t warm or charming, but he is endlessly compelling, a character who speaks to anyone who has struggled to balance passion with connection.

Why Sondheim’s characters endure

From the murderous wit of Sweeney Todd to the bittersweet dreams of The Baker’s Wife and the aching vulnerability of Bobby and Desiree, Stephen Sondheim’s characters are as iconic as the musicals themselves. They’re messy, layered, and deeply human – and that’s why we love them. As Into the Woods prepares to take over The Bridge Theatre in December 2025, it’s clear that Sondheim’s legacy will keep enchanting audiences for generations to come.