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Sunday, Oct 12, 2008
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Sondheim's delightful Into The Woods musical at 5th Avenue Theatre |
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| Sondheim's delightful Into The Woods musical at 5th Avenue Theatre | |
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A shows that says 'happily ever after' is just the beginning, not end of story by Rajkhet Dirzhud-Rashid - SGN A&E Writer Into The Woods Directed by Mark Waldrop Starring Eric Ankrim, Logan Benedict, Eric Brotherson, Darla Cardwell, Dannul Dailey, Bob De Dea, Anne Eisendrath, Lisa Estridge, Allen Fitzpatrick Allen Galli, Pamela Hamill, Michael Hunsaker, Leslie Law, Cheryl Massey-Peters, Krista Severeid, Carol Swarbrick, Billie Wildrick and Ireland Woods 5th Avenue Theatre October 19th-November 10th Everyone grew up with the story of the princess who bit a poison apple, fell asleep, and was rescued by a noble, handsome prince, or pricked her finger, fell asleep, was rescued, and the little girl in the red riding hood who found a wolf in grandmother's bed, but was rescued by a woodsman. And of course, all of them live happily ever after, in some far off kingdom, eating bon bons and being waited on hand and foot forever. But, what about the rest of the story (as Paul Harvey puts it), the part where the princess gets bored in the castle, where Red Riding Hood, learns to kill wolves and figures out wandering around the woods alone isn't a good idea in the first place? Ah, if you're interested in those tales, then Sondheim's perky, and dark musical, Into The Woods is for you. Opening with a group of typical fairytale characters---a poor boy and his mom, who need to sell their rather dilapidated looking cow, a stepdaughter who wants to go to the royal ball, and of course, a baker and his wife who want a child-Into The Woods zips along. There are wishes made, and bargains with a gnarled, old witch, visits with a similarly gnarled old man who quips bizarre statements, and then a trip Into The Woods by all concerned, including a little girl with a 'red riding hood', and a basket of goodies for 'grandmother'. Oh, and there's a wolf waiting 'in the woods' for this little girl. So, the first half of Into The Woods sings and dances like the stories we are all familiar with, having consequences we expect, but the second half---after 'happily ever after'-is definitely more of a reality check. The witch has been transformed, after receiving the 'four items' she has the baker and his wife procure, and 'Red's' grandmother has been devoured, but cut out of the wolf's belly, and our princess is learning her prince isn't 'all that'. So, another trip 'into the woods', yields not only safety from a giant that was set free when the widow's son chopped down a magic beanstalk, but answers questions about what really makes us happy. All of this while songs are sung, and dances danced that'll keep you humming long after you leave the theatre. A good start to the beginning of the holiday play season, Into The Woods has a lesson for us all, as well as dynamite performances by just about the whole cast-the 'purple prince' is a bit pitchy in places---and gorgeous sets and costumes. Oh, and Lisa Estridge is definitely at her best as the witch, delivering a sprightly 'rap' that brought more than one giggle on opening night. For tickets and times, call 206-625-1900, or visit, www.5thavenuetheatre.org. You won't be disappointed. |
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| Halloween on Capitol Hill
Slide Show photos by Joey - SGN photographer |
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