My theatre company is considering doing Into The Woods next year. Does anyone know of somewhere that would sell / rent a wooden staff (like a walking stick) that shoots sparks, a small flame, flash, or puff of smoke? We tried making one last time I was involved with this show using flash cotton and flash paper (tried each individually) with no luck. Not looking to throw huge balls of flame out but a short burst of flame or a bunch of sparks would be what we are looking to do.

I believe what they used onstage on Broadway and touring shows was a modifed FLASH unit from a camera - even as cheap as a disposable camera hacked for it's flash unit.  HOWEVER there is a magic effect that they used also I think, that uses a modified flash unit that hides under the shirt (or in this case the costume at the belt line of the person wearing it for when she appeared in the balcony of the theater to do that one scene from there amid the audience and she does NOT have her staff then - just gestures and this flash unit is triggered.  Can be reused over and over again, NO FIRE EFFECT so it's safe and secure.  And it looks like it comes form the end of the staff because it's built into the staff and when she does it by gesturing her hands at waist level it looks like the flash comes off her hands.  I'm almost 100% certain this is how it was done. Check the DVD and see - but I'm sure that was it.  Better this way than a fire effect gone wrong.