Long before there was the TV show "Once Upon a Time," there was Into the Woods with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine.

Into the Woods also intermingled fairy tale creatures with various twists that departed from legend. Christina Stroup says she jumped at the opportunity to place The Witch (the role immortalized on Broadway by Bernadette Peters) in the upcoming Main Street Theater production since it calls for not only a strong singer but a strong actor.

"This role is very layered. She's the only truth in the show itself. She's the only truth and reality even though her part is seen as the wicked role."

This is the second Sondheim show within a year for Stroup (she did Company in March with Texas Repertory) and while challenging, she's enjoyed it.

Act One of Into the Woods ends about as anyone brought up on fairy tales would expect, Stroup says. "The second act is what happens after the happily-ever-after which makes the characters real people. They're human and they make mistakes."

Stroup, a former Tommy Tune winner from Spring Woods High School says the show should appeal to anyone six years of age and older.

Into the Woods runs January 16 through February 16 at Main Street Theater's Rice Village location, 2540 Times Boulevard. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Monday January 20 only, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays.For information call 713-524-6706 or visit mainstreettheater.com.