The celebrated new production of the Tony Award-winning musical INTO THE WOODS with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, brilliantly directed by Noah Brody and Ben Steinfeld, is playing at the Ahmanson Theatre through May 14, featuring versatile actor/musicians who sing, act and play instruments.
The story centers on a revised fantasy in which many well-known fairy tale characters interact as each of them ventures into the woods ruled by an evil witch (charismatic Stephanie Umoh) to seek out the very thing they wish for the most.
These beloved characters include the Baker (Evan Harrington) and his Wife (Eleasha Gamble) who must gather four magical items to succeed in undoing the Witch’s spell so they can have a baby, Little Red Ridinghood (Lisa Helmi Johanson) getting bread and sweets to take to her sick Granny (Laurie Veldheer) and avoiding the nasty Wolf (Anthony Chatmon II), Rapunzel (Lisa Helmi Johanson) wanting to escape from her tower (here a tall stepladder), and Jack (youthful Patrick Mulryan) taking his beloved (and rather obstinate) cow Milky White (show standout Darick Pead) into the woods to sell him so he and his mother (Bonne Kramer) can stay warm and fed. Along the way, many run into a Mysterious Man (Fred Rose) who seems to have knowledge of the best way to get what each wants.
Of course, there are two Princes (Anthony Chatmon II as Cinderella’s Prince who proclaims “I was raised to be charming, not sincere” when questioned about his roving ways, and Darick Pead as Rapunzel’s Prince), both of whom live in their castle in the woods, attended to by their Steward (Patrick Mulryan), where a festival is going to be held. We meet Cinderella (Laurie Veldheer on her knees cleaning) who wishes for nothing more than to be able to attend the event in spite of her stepmother (Bonne Kramer) and stepsisters (hilarious stick-based cross-dressers Anthony Chatmon II as Stepsister Lucinda and Darick Pead as Stepsister Florinda) doing their best to prevent her from attending.
As in all fairy tales, there is always a “bad guy” around to stop their pursuit, and in this tale, each must heed the witch and honor the giant in the sky who throw obstacles in their way. As Act I ends, each character has attained their wish, but stick around for Act II when reality sets in and the characters must learn to deal with the consequences of getting what they wanted. Along the way, memorable songs like “Children Will Listen” and “No One Is Alone,” “Mind the Wolf,” “On the Steps of the Palace” and “Agony” allow each character to express their need to succeed in getting what they think they want and need or disappoint in how things turned out in their “happily ever after.”
Scenic Designer Derek McLane has created a space with a turnabout piano at the center, cello stand stage right and drums stage left, as well as the encircling set design incorporating bits and pieces of wood from familiar musical instruments, on which attention-grabbing choreography by Lisa Shriver, expert mood-setting lighting by Christopher Akerlind, as well as the many quick-change costume pieces designed by Whitney Locher all combine to make this a musical spectacular not to be missed.
This extraordinary musical is ultimately about the power of wishes and what really happens after they come true. And I can think of no better way to experience it than with the Acclaimed Fiasco Theater production, mounted with boundless energy and imagination in a witty and wild theatrical reinvention of a beloved modern musical classic. I cannot encourage you enough to take your entire family to experience it in person.
Tickets for “Into the Woods” are available by calling 213-972-4400, online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org or by visiting the Center Theatre Group box office at the Ahmanson Theatre, located at The Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown Los Angeles. Tickets range from $25 – $125.