Who’s afraid of Stephen Sondheim?

Ireland Woods of Stanwood didn’t really know much at all about Stephen Sondheim before she auditioned for “Into the Woods.” It turned out that was a good thing because she didn’t know enough to be afraid.

Sondheim may be the genius lyricist of musical theater. His music is also among the most challenging to perform.

Ireland knew none of this, and that lack of knowledge paid off. At 10 years of age, Ireland has become the youngest person music director Ian Eisendrath has ever heard of playing the part of “Little Red Riding Hood.”

“I’m just blown away by her understanding and interpreting … because this is very sophisticated material, and she approaches it like a little adult in this little girl’s body,” Eisendrath said. “The best ones are the ones who haven’t been touched because they haven’t learned to overact.”

Audiences will get to see and hear Ireland when The 5th Avenue Theatre opens its production of one of Sondheim’s most beloved musicals, “Into the Woods,” at 8 tonight. The show runs through Nov. 10.

Ireland has been acting for two years, singing for two, and was in community productions of “Seussical” and “Honk Jr.” She is taking her sudden leap into Seattle’s big time in stride. Her mom Lacey, on the other hand, had a bit of a different reaction.

“Ireland was competing against 20-year-olds, and literally we just assumed she’d never get it,” Lacey Woods said in a phone interview. “And when they called us four weeks later I said, ‘Hold on, I have go to throw up. Are you serious?’”

Lacey Woods, who says she is in “no way” a stage mom, does believe however that her daughter has a gift. Eisendrath would second that.

“She had no idea how difficult this show was because no one told her, and she is picking up the chromatic dissonance of Sondheim as if this was the most singable melody ever. It’s a real gift to watch her,” said Eisendrath, who has directed the music for other Sondheim works such as “Company” and “Sweeney Todd.” “It was certainly a risk because she has a real responsibility here. It’s not like a cameo. It’s a real role with a beginning and middle and end.”

Little Red Riding Hood is among the characters of this Brothers Grimm-inspired tale that a baker and his wife meet when they enter the woods to lift a witch’s curse. Others are Rapunzel, Cinderella and Jack of the beanstalk fame, and each has his or her own personal desires to satisfy and each becomes unexpectedly entwined with the plight of the Baker and his Wife. Sondheim’s witty score includes “Children Will Listen,” “Giants in the Sky,” and “Agony.”

This is a family-friendly work that appeals to youngsters as young as preschoolers. The 5th Avenue is encouraging families to attend and offering half-price tickets for children ages 4 to 15 that are accompanied by a full-price adult.

Ireland Woods’ youthful presence might even inspire a more youthful audience, said Eisendrath, saying the child actress brings “a wonderful ingredient to the show and one that will really appeal to audiences.”

Ireland said her fifth-grade classmates from Stanwood Elementary are going to the show, though she hasn’t seen too much of them lately. Ireland doesn’t attend class anymore but completes her homework at home because of her grueling schedule of all-day rehearsals.

Lacey Woods travels with her daughter into Seattle most of the time while Ireland is rehearsing. Lacey is somewhat used to it, as her two other daughters, Paige, 15, and Savanna, 13, appeared in Seattle Children’s Theatre’s summer production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” Some days Lacey Woods just trips around Seattle and other times she visits her stepdaughter, Domonique, 24.

“The challenge is trying to juggle it all but we make it work,” said Lacey of her and husband, Stewart. “You have to keep your children busy and healthy. … There’s no sitting around watching television, even if that means driving to Seattle almost every day.”

Ireland still maintains an upbeat attitude about her schedule. She seemed, though, as if she were definitely looking forward to opening night. And she’s definitely learned to appreciate Sondheim.

“It’s very exciting and it’s a different show than you think — way different,” Ireland said. “It’s just an awesome play.”

Reporter Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424 or goffredo@heraldnet.com