The Ford’s Theater revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s musical Into the Woods is a magical romp through the forest with your favorite fairy tale characters and their “what if they were real” issues. The result is like an extended session on a therapist’s couch to pick apart knotty questions of guilt, responsibility, and repercussions in Ever After.
The cast reads like the roster from a Brothers Grimm All Star game: Cinderella (Erin Driscoll), Little Red Riding Hood (Jade Jones), Rapunzel (Quynh-My Luu), Jack of the Beanstalk (Samy Nour Younes), a wicked Witch (Rachel Zampelli), Princes Charming, wolves, magic beans and giants. New faces include a Baker (Evan Casey) and his wife (Awa Sal Secka) on a quest to remove an infertility curse by collecting iconic items. Act I reprises the classic fairytale meets parlor room musical farce, overlapping storylines culminating in a grand, swelling musical happy ending, of course. But, wait. There’s an Act II. Into The Woods poses the question: what happens if we keep watching?
The quality of the singing was exceptional. The play is an ensemble piece of braided stories and songs (and long, long blonde locks) with no true “star,” but Secka is a powerhouse as the baker’s wife, with exceptional vocals and the pathos of longing. The cast is accompanied by an eight-member live orchestra conducted by William Yanesh. Sound designer David Budries blends human and instrumental pipes beautifully.
Under the sure-handed direction of Peter Flynn, the performers equally capture the moral dilemmas obtruding through the thinly plotted folklore. Jones’ Red brings humor and heart and a wee bit of bloodthirstiness, while Driscoll’s Cinderella is sweetly more charming than her Charming suitor. Delightfully sly is the dual casting of Christopher Mueller and Hasani Allen as Wolves and Princes, forever chasing satiation and lamenting the mirthful “Agony” of pursuit. A special nod must be given to Tiziano D’Affuso for his comical portrayal of non-speaking cow Milky White.
A musical rises or falls on its spectacle, and this production does not stumble. Michael Bobbitt ably choreographs the large cast across Milagros Ponce de Leon’s intricate set, transporting the audience into an alternately whimsical and ominous forest. Wade Laboissonniere’s costumes are divine, in particular Cinderella’s precocious wedding dress, complete with bluebird attendants, the Witch’s luxurious second half gown, a hilarious Golden Goose, and the Big Bad Wolves’ stilted lechery. Clint Allen’s playful projections are a highlight – the shimmering forest drew an audible gasp from the audience, while the wolf’s demise was unexpected and novel.
More than just humor, complex Into The Woods offers humanity. Characters wrestle out of their gilt typecast to grapple with surviving real life. Cunning wordplay playfully subverts a familiar genre to caution: Be careful what you wish for, because “wishes come true, not free.” Get your tickets before they’re gone, or you’ll wish you had.
Into The Woods is playing at the Ford’s Theater though May 22, 2019. The play runs 2 hours and 45 minutes, including one 15 minute intermission. For more information or tickets call 202-347-4833 or click here. Go early to explore the historic Ford’s Theater, 511 Tenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004 (202-347-4833).
Photo credit Carol Rosegg
