Kathie Lee Gifford Joins Production of Into the Woods

Today Show cohost Kathie Lee Gifford has been announced as the newest member of NextStop Theatre Company's upcoming production of Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods — the final production of the D.C. company's inaugural main stage season. Gifford will play the part of the Giant's Wife, a prerecorded speaking part featured in the second act.

Gifford, who has previously worked with director and NextStop Artistic Director Evan Hoffman, shared her excitement about participating in the production: "I have known Evan since he was in an early production of Saving Aimee at Signature Theatre back in 2007. So I was happy when he asked me to record the voice of the Giant's Wife. I love the D.C. theatre community, I adore Stephen Sondheim, and I am always thrilled to help a friend who is working to achieve his dreams."

Past actresses who have lent their voices to the role include the acclaimed Dame Judi Dench, Glenn Close, and Angela Lansbury.

The production's leading cast will feature Priscilla Cuellar as the Witch, John Loughney as the Baker, Laura Fontaine as Florinda, Scott Gaines as Cinderella's Prince/The Wolf, Scott Harrison as Rapunzel's Prince, Jennifer Lambert as Cinderella's Stepmother, Ryan Manning as the Narrator, Brittany Martz as Cinderella, Sean McComas as Jack, Katie McManus as the Baker's Wife, Lynn Audrey Neal as Jack's Mother, Nora Palka as Little Red Riding Hood, Allizon Reggioli as Cinderella's Mother/Granny, Blakeman Brophy as the Mysterious Man, Suzanne Stanley as Rapunzel, Danny Tippett as the Steward, and Jaclyn Young as Lucinda.

Into the Woods will run from May 1-June 1 at the Industrial Strength Theatre in Herndon, Virginia.

For tickets and more information, click here.