Into the Woods, the Tony Award winning, fairy tale-inspired musical based on the book by James Lapine with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, is playing at the Coronado Playhouse through November 22. Director Blake McCarty and musical directors Desha Crownover and Joe Kao have crafted an excellent show to celebrate the 80th anniversary season of this community theater.
Into the Woods has a special San Diego connection. Forty years ago, the musical had its world premier at The Old Globe Theater on December 4, 1986. According to a Sondheim interview, San Diego provided the perfect place to workshop the musical before it opened on Broadway a year later. The Coronado Playhouse production honors the original and is a treat for the entire family.
Into the Woods weaves several fairy tales together
Into the Woods weaves together the Brothers Grimm versions of Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Little Red Riding Hood. Lapine invented the tale of the Baker and his Wife who, to lift the family curse and have a child, must go on a quest and obtain a milky white cow, a golden shoe, corn yellow hair, and a red cloak.
Act I follows their quest and ends with all of the characters living happily ever after. However, Act II reveals the consequences of choices and the temporary nature of “happily ever after.” The musical explores the theme of wishing for something and then discovering the unintended consequences of obtaining it.
It was a treat to see fairy tale characters from our childhood given their own point of view and choices. It makes the audience see that the hero and the villain of any story depends upon who’s telling it.
Excellent acting and ensemble performances
The cast of Into the Woods is top notch and brings together performers from throughout San Diego. Ferril Gardner, the witch, is a standout performer who combines creepy witchy physicality with excellent singing. Keri Miller, the Baker’s Wife, plays her role and sings with such conviction and spiritedness that the audience has to root for her and her quest. Another terrific performer is Shane Hennessey who plays both the lecherous wolf and Cinderella’s narcissistic prince.
Sondheim’s lyrics are often rhyming and contain double meanings so the audience wants to hear every line. This cast did an excellent job of annunciating and expressing the clever wordplay. The entire cast sang “Ever After” so perfectly as the finale to Act I that it was hard to imagine that the show wasn’t over and still had another act to go.
Top-notch technical and design aspects
The Coronado Playhouse stage seemed twice as large thanks to the layered scenery. Christy Terrill Reid, set and props designer, created depth using multiple trees that were covered in wall paper and book pages. She crafted the winding path through the woods using three levels which were connected by steps made of giant books of each fairy tale. Chris Renda, lighting designer, provided the stage with the moody and shifting lighting found in the woods.
A fun moment in the play is the use of shadow puppets to tell the story of Little Red confronting the wolf in her grandmother’s bed.
Sound direction by Cole Atencio, and musical direction by Desha Crownover and Joe Kao, created moments of emotional frisson as the songs and music washed over the audience.
Costume designer, Sadie Rothenberg, and wig designer, Meg Woodley, provided the traditional version of the fairy tale characters, but added a touch of whimsy. For example, the witch’s costume was draped in leaves which fitted her rant about her garden and precious bean plants. Jack’s overalls had interesting patchwork.The big bad wolf was shirtless, which made him seem especially lecherous.
Stage managers, Kyle Waterman and Gaby Mendoza, and assistant stage manager, Quinn Ladran, also deserve credit for the success of this complicated and multi-faceted musical.
Don’t delay, go Into the Woods
The end of the play had the packed audience standing, cheering, and a few people crying. The performance was excellent, and I highly recommend seeing this show. The musical lasts for 2 hours and 40 minutes with one 15 minute intermission. Time passed quickly.
Since it is about fairy tales, the musical is appropriate for upper elementary and older. Reading the Brothers Grimm fairy tales in advance might help younger audiences understand how they are woven together.
Into the Woods runs through November 22 with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. The Coronado Playhouse is located at 1835 Strand Way, Coronado. Tickets are $30. Call 619-435-4856 or visit CoronadoPlayhouse.org.
