🎭Jodi Benson steps into the shadows as the Witch in ‘Into the Woods’ at Dr. Phillips Center this weekend

ORLANDO, Fla. – Jodi Benson is known worldwide as the voice of Ariel in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” but this weekend, she’s inviting Central Florida audiences into a very different kind of fairy tale.

Benson is starring as the Witch in Stephen Sondheim’s beloved musical “Into the Woods,” opening Friday, July 31 at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Steinmetz Hall. Performances run through Sunday, Aug. 2 — and after early shows sold out, the production added a Saturday matinee.

“I’m so excited to be here in Orlando, performing at the Doctor Phillips Performing Arts Center,” Benson said. “We sold out the first three shows and added the matinee, and we still have some great seats left.”

“It’s based on just a mix up of many fairy tales mixed into one,” Benson said. “Act one, of course, has this beautiful, happy ending, and act two kind of kicks in with reality.”

That blend of fantasy and consequence is what Benson hopes audiences carry with them when they leave the theater.

“I really hope that audiences kind of walk away with this concept of fairy tale and reality mixed together,” she said. “Life can have a little bit of both going on at the same time… the good, the bad and everything in between.”

For Benson, the Witch has been an especially thrilling challenge — because it’s unlike anything audiences might expect from her.

“I’ve never done it before. The role of the witch is way out of my comfort zone,” she said. “It’s been fun, challenging, scary, frightening, exciting all mixed into one.”

She also joked that the biggest surprise might be seeing her unleash the Witch’s sharper edges.

“That Jody can be tough sometimes,” she said. “There’s some anger and some yelling and some screaming and some casting of spells… but it’s been fun and challenging, and I am making it my own.”

The production itself is rooted in Orlando, with a cast made up of local performers — many balancing day jobs at theme parks with nightly rehearsals and performances.

“Everybody is local right here in Orlando,” Benson said. “They are either Disney cast members or they work at Universal… doing double shift working during the day and then coming to do the show and the rehearsals that night.”

Benson, who calls Orlando her “second home,” said returning to perform here has been years in the making. After appearing in “Hello, Dolly!” with director Kristen Sheola Paul two years ago, she was invited back — and soon the team began planning “Into the Woods.”

“This time, this hall is unbelievable,” Benson added of Steinmetz Hall. “It’s by far the best sound system of a space and a venue to sing for me in the world.”

And while the Witch may be driven by wishes, Benson’s real-world wish is simple — and heartfelt.

“My prayer would be for people to have food and shelter and to have their needs met,” she said. “That would be the most amazing wish to have filled.”

Now, she’s hoping Orlando audiences will join her for an unforgettable trip into Sondheim’s woods — where the magic is real, the music is iconic and the lessons linger long after the final bow.

“We can’t wait for you to come and see the show,” Benson said. “We hope you have an incredible journey with us.”

You can purchase available tickets for the show here.