Into the Woods Cast & Crew Spotlight: Saie Danam & Badger Moring, Jr.

Name: Saie Danam
I play: The Steward
My favorite show is: Hamilton
My favorite food is: Tandoori Chicken or Reese’s 
Something weird about me: I once wrote jokes for a Spanish variety show… but I don’t speak Spanish

What is your favorite part of the show?

Agony. Justin and Ian look like brothers, and when they have fun with each other, it’s amazing to see and hear the song.

Besides yourself, who is your favorite character?

The Witch. Lola’s choices and characterization are amazing.

What do you love about playing your character?

Getting to be on stage during Witch’s Lament. Almost the entire cast is there during this scene of chaos and then she suddenly grounds the entire show into that song. The fallout of all the choices is made real.

What are you most excited for the audience to see/experience?

I think from the set, to the actors, to the direction, everything has been done to make the audience feel as if they are in the woods right alongside all these characters.

What do you think makes this production different and special?

To spill the beans a bit, from my talks with the fellow cast mates and crew, it seems everyone has worked to figure out what grounds these characters into reality. Yes they’re larger than life and so is the show, but everyone who I’ve talked to has tried to bring a sense of ‘this really could be someone/something you know’ to the show.

As noted by the director, and many cast members, you exude a noticeably high level of professionalism and commitment both on and off the stage. Where does this come from?

First off, thank you very much. That means a lot to me and that’s what I hope to bring to any show I do. I think it comes from a sense of caring and respect. I care and respect my fellow cast mates, the production team, and the crew. Everyone works so hard to bring a story to life. I can’t even begin to express my admiration for all the hardworking people in this show. But most importantly, I care about the audience. I always try to put them before myself or any temptation for actor vanity. Time is such a precious thing and when you realize that everyone has a limited amount of time on this earth, you gain a whole new appreciation for the fact that people will spend their time with us. They even spend money (which they got from spending time at a job) to come see us. It would be a travesty if I don’t do everything I possibly could to give them a great show. I want people to leave the show, feeling as if the time they traded to come see us was more than worth it.

Name: Badger Moring Jr
I play: Cinderella’s Dad and the Flour Cow
My favorite show is: Grease
My favorite food is: Lasagna
Something weird about me: I have extensive knowledge of all ’90s hip hop

What are you most excited for the audience to see/experience?

I’m excited for the audience to walk into the theater and be fully immersed into the woods.

What is your favorite part of the show?

My favorite part of the show is when we all sing together; it sounds pretty.

What do you love about playing your character?

I love my udders!

How are you finding your first time at the Acrosstown?

My first time at the Acrosstown in many years has been fantastic. The camaraderie between the cast is amazing and I still love the intimacy of the theater.

Finally, what does this show mean to you?

I love how this show incorporates serious topics, like parenthood, into our childhood fables. The music is also beautiful and can very easily elicit an unexpected emotional response.