Volume 96, Issue 29
Tuesday, October 22, 2002
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THEATRE REVIEW: Into the Woods
A magical trip Into the Woods
By Nicole Laidler
Gazette Staff
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Gazette
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Music and lyrics by: Stephen Sondheim
Starring: Grant Statchuk, Laura Morland, Deanna Sarkar, Claire Porter
You don't have to go all the way to New York City to enjoy Broadway's current hit revival Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim – it's playing right here at The Palace Theatre in London.
The London Musical Theatre's production tells the intertwined familiar childhood tales of Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood with the plight of the Baker and his Wife, who are unable to have a child because of a Witch's curse. In order to lift the spell, they must bring the Witch a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn and a golden slipper.
Act I follows the characters as they venture into the woods in pursuit of their dreams. Act II opens after "happily ever after," when Cinderella discovers that her prince may not be so charming after all. And who could have predicted that Jack's Giant had a wife who is now bent on revenge? The narrator dies and the fairytale characters must discover how the story ends by themselves.
The fantastical plot presents some unusual staging challenges, especially for a volunteer community company. But the delightful sets, designed by local artist Kevin Bice, draw the audience into the storybook world as soon as the curtain rises.
The onstage demise and resurrection of Milky White, the cow, are handled with panache and humour, as is the Prince's ride across the stage on a trompe-l'oeil horse.
The entire cast and orchestra successfully navigate the intricate twists and turns of Sondheim's music. Unfortunately, the orchestra occasionally drowns out the witty lyrics, but this is only a minor issue and is to be expected in a live, un-amplified performance.
Cinderella, played by Deanna Sarkar, is especially difficult to hear at times, but her voice shines in "No One is Alone" at the end of the second act. Her ugly stepsisters (Rebecca Surman, Nancy-Jean Lahn) and wicked stepmother (Rosalind Adams) are hilariously nasty all the way through. Johnathan Wexler is well cast as the innocent dolt Jack, and his farewell song to Milky White is particularly touching.
Matt Martin makes a lascivious Wolf, who attempts to lure Little Red Riding Hood (Claire Porter) away from the straight and narrow. Their duet, "Hello, Little Girl," is one of the most memorable scenes of the production. Porter clearly enjoys her role as Riding Hood, who evolves from a spoiled, but lovable, child into a fur-stole wearing, knife wielding young lady who "Knows Things Now."
Cinderella's Prince (Scott McLeod) and Rapunzel's Prince (Bill Kamerman) are delightfully elegant. Both performers have fine singing voices to complement their acting skills.
Jo Ann Brooks plays a wonderful wicked witch, and is clearly the most experienced, professional singer in the show. Brooks gives the Witch some real "attitude" as she antagonizes the Baker (Grant Statchuk) and his wife (Laura Morland) over their quest for a child. Brooks' jazzy delivery is well suited to Sondheim's melodies. Her "Lament" and rendition of "Last Midnight" are worth the price of admission alone.
Judging by the audience's reaction, London Musical Theatre's production of Into the Woods is a complete success. Artistic Directors Elizabeth Van Doorne and Toni Wilson, along with Musical Director Charles Baxter, work wonders in bringing this story to life.
Into the Woods continues to run at the Palace Theatre (710 Dundas St. East) from Oct. 24-26. Advance tickets cost $20 and are available through the Grand Theatre Box Office. Tickets at the door cost $25.
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