However, one musical aims to change all that.

In collaboration with the ANU School of Music, Dramatic Productions' artistic director Richard Block has brought together a cast of Canberra actors to mount the city's first production of Stephen Sondheim's musical, Into the Woods.

The story follows a baker and his wife who desperately try to undo a witch's spell by gathering items from fairytale characters including Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella and Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk.

After two weeks of callback auditions and nine weeks of rehearsals, Block said audiences can expect to be taken on a magical ride with "fabulous singing and a sense of adventure".

"We've been really lucky to draw Canberra's most talented actors into the show," he said.

"They're all very strong because there are no really small roles. It's very much an ensemble show."

The musical also features the voice of Australian cabaret singer, dancer and actor Toni Lamond as the Giant.

"Toni Lamond is a national treasure as far as I'm concerned," Block said.

"She has a lifetime of experience, so to have her and her voice is just wonderful."

At the ball, Bruce resident Pip Murphy gets to wear an elaborate hooped ball gown which, like the rest of the costumes, was rented from a production of the show put on by the Victorian Opera.

"There's a lot of a sparkle, a lot of shimmer when she comes on stage – you're almost blinded if she's in bright light," Murphy said.

The 20-year-old plays the shy and kind-hearted Cinderella, who goes on a journey of self-discovery and growth throughout the show.

Murphy said working with such a "dedicated and motivated" cast has been the most rewarding part of the production.

"The fact that the show is so intricate and complex, we get to be so involved in each other's lives … but you make friendships that are quite unusual, and fast, because you have no boundaries when it comes to acting.

"You have to be intimate with someone very quickly, and that kind of parallels with real life, so with the people I've met here and the people I knew before this as well, our bonds have grown stronger. It's great to have such a fun, happy ambience."

Into the Woods runs from Friday, August 28 and on selected dates until September 12 at Gungahlin College Theatre. Bookings: stagecenta.com.