Director Linda Pauli thinks it's the human emotions and traits assigned to the storybook characters featured in the Stephen Sondheim musical “Into the Woods” that makes it a magical stage adventure for audiences.

Since the start of September, Pauli and a cast of 19 have been in rehearsal to transport “page to stage” for 4th Street Theater's new production of “Into the Woods” Nov. 4 to 11 at the drama group's performance space in Chesterton.

“This was the largest group of auditions we've ever had, with more than 60 people all trying for these 19 roles,” Pauli said.

“There was extraordinary talent to select from,” she said. “I could have easily had three complete casts with the options I had during the auditions.”

Next year marks the 20th anniversary for the November 1987 Broadway premiere of “Into the Woods,” starring Bernadette Peters and Joanna Gleason and introducing audiences to a new interpretation of the famed fairy tales from Brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault. Jack, from “Jack and the Beanstalk,” joins the title characters from “Cinderella,” “Rapunzel” and “Little Red Riding Hood” and other yarns with new insights into each of the fictional favorites.

“This is a two and half hour musical which follows the central characters of a childless baker and his wife as they begin their journey to start a family,” Pauli said.

Pauli said the 2014 Disney film adaptation of “Into the Woods” directed by Rob Marshall and starring Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Tracey Ullman, Christine Baranski and Johnny Depp has helped spark renewed interest in the stage treatment.

“This is my third time around directing a production of ‘Into the Woods,' and for this production, I'm very fortunate to have two cast members returning who were with me 25 years ago when I directed it for the first time in 1991 at Chesterton High School,” she said.

“I have Dean Perrine returning again to play the role of the Baker, and Margie Calhoon back again to play the Stepmother. Dean's daughter Gracelyn Perrine is playing Little Red Riding Hood. What makes this cast so strong is they realize that every one of the characters has to be believable for the audience to care about what they are seeing as the story unfolds.”

She said some of the favorite songs featured include “Maybe They're Magic,” “A Very Nice Prince,” “No One is Alone” and the title song “Into the Woods.” The musical will feature a 10-piece musical accompaniment directed by Jeff Otto.

“When directing the cast, my take on this story is to tell them to treat these fairy tale characters like real people who just happen to live in a world where there are giants in the sky and talking wolves in the woods and where a witch might just happen to live next-door to you.”

Pauli said not only will audiences love the songs and story, but also the costumes created for the production by local costume designer Stanlee Hodsden.

“Her designs are very reminiscent of what was seen for the Broadway run, yet she's given every design her own personal touches, which help bring our characters to life,” Pauli said.

Phil Potempa is a freelance reporter.