American Stage is bringing its beloved Park series back with Into the Woods, and if you’ve ever wanted your spring evening to include waterfront air, fairy-tale chaos, and a Sondheim score that sneaks up and wrecks you emotionally, this is your moment. The run starts March 25 and goes through April 26 at Demens Landing Park (Bayshore Dr. & 2nd Ave. S), with performances at 7:30 p.m.
This is one of those St. Pete traditions that feels both charming and slightly unpredictable in the best way. You bring a blanket or chair, settle in under the stars, and watch a professional production unfold while someone nearby opens a picnic container at exactly the wrong dramatic moment. It rules. And American Stage has the history to back it up, with the company tracing its roots to 1977 and describing itself as Tampa Bay’s longest-running professional theatre company. Tickets for the 2026 season are available here.
A very St. Pete origin story
The park tradition has real local mileage too. American Stage has documented that the annual Demens Landing production started in 1986, and the company has noted peak per-production attendance reached 17,000 people, which is not “niche theater crowd” territory, that is “St. Pete institution” territory.
Into the Woods is also a terrific choice for this setting because it starts with the familiar fairy-tale stuff, then immediately gets messy. Little Red, Jack, Cinderella, princes, a witch, a baker, a baker’s wife, all of them chasing wishes and learning that “getting what you want” is often just the first mistake. It is funny, dark, smart, and very human, which means it pairs beautifully with a live crowd and a spring night downtown. One of the highlights is the Sondheim/Lapine creative team and frames the production around the same delightfully twisted fairy-tale setup.
Photo via American Stage
Comfort options for every type of sitter
The show’s practical details are refreshingly easy. Seating options include General Blanket, Premium Blanket, Reserved Chair, and a Bring Your Own Chair option, with listed prices starting at $40 and topping out at $60 depending on where and how you want to post up. If you are a “comfort first” person, this is your time to shine. If you are a “grass is a perfectly good chair” person, you also have options. Everybody wins, except maybe your lower back.
American Stage is also layering in special nights that make the run feel even more like a season event instead of just a single show. Pets in the Park lands on April 12, Rays & Rowdies Fan Night is set for April 17, and Pride Night follows on April 19, which is a very St. Pete lineup and a great excuse to plan around the theme that fits your crew best.
There is even extra buzz around opening week. American Stage’s Park Opening Night fundraiser for Into the Woods on March 27 is already sold out, with a waitlist for anyone trying to sneak in late, which is usually a pretty reliable sign that people are genuinely excited and not just politely saying they “should go sometime.”
So yes, if your spring calendar needs one thing that feels local, memorable, and worth leaving the house for, this is it. American Stage in the Park is one of the city’s signature annual arts events, and Into the Woods sounds like a good reason to grab a blanket, text your group chat, and make a night of it. You can grab tickets for the event here.
