(left to right): Allison Meneley (Little Red), Kyle Stoner (Jack), David Naughton (Cinderella’s Prince) and Courtney Merrell (Cinderella)
INTO THE WOODS: Musical. Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Book by James Lapine.Ray of Light Theatre, The Eureka Theatre (Jackson @ Battery) in San Francisco. www.rayoflighttheatre.comMay 31 – June 29, 2013
Into the Woods at the Eureka where energy tops quality
After seeing four local productions of Into the Woods comparisons are inevitable. The TheatreWorks production was the most professional, the Sixth Street mounting the most charming, the Broadway by the Bay staging most hectic and this Ray of Light creation the most energetic. Energy is a trademark descriptive adjective for Ray of Light as is professionalism .Most of the dissatisfaction can be attributed to the direction of the final act where visual humor supersedes quality diction and necessary intricate timing to make it a rewarding evening.
Sondheim and Lapine’s contorted view of fairy-tales begins with a narrator, who doubles as Mysterious Man (Derek Travis Collard) saying “Once upon a time, a Baker and his Wife journey into the woods. . .” where they meet Little Red Riding Hood (Allison Meneley), Cinderella (Courtney Merrell), Jack of Beanstalk fame (Kyle Stoner), Rapunzel (Melissa Reinertson)), two Princes (Ted Zoldan and a fine David Naughton)) and a menagerie of other characters. The creators have added their own fairy tale of a Baker (Austin Ferris), and his wife (Nikki Arias) who is childless due to a curse placed on them by the neighboring Witch (Michele Jasso) because the baker’s father has stolen the greens from her garden. This is the first bit of morality that abounds in the play; the son shall be punished for his father’s sin.
The witch will remove the curse if they venture forth (into the woods) and gather ingredients for a potion to remove the curse. Searching for the ingredients the Baker and his wife meet the aforementioned characters. Each possesses one ingredient: Jack “a cow as white as milk”, Red Riding Hood “the cape as red as blood”, Rapunzel “the hair as yellow as corn” and Cinderella “a slipper as pure as gold.” All have ventured “into the woods” for their own purpose to “find what they wish for.” By the end of the energetic, humorous, intriguing 90-minute first act all have found what they wish for singing a rousing first act curtain chorus of “Ever After” and they should “live happily ever after.”
It has been said that when the musical is performed by High School groups it ends with the rousing happy “Ever After” finale. There is the admonishment to “beware of what you wish for.” The narrator’s Act II prologue “So Happy” ends with the Baker’s house destroyed by a huge footprint. The widow of the Giant Jack has slain is back to seek her revenge. Back into the woods they all go. This time the plot is indeed black surrounded by death and destruction and “happily ever after” is not to be. Sondheim interjects a hopeful note with the plaintive “No One Is Alone” and the finale “Children Will Listen.”
Collard as the narrator and Mysterious man does not project enough authority to keep the story going. Pity that the Giant’s widow throws him into oblivion thus predicting the characters will never know how their stories will end. Michele Jasso makes the wicked witch wicked, while singing Sondheim’s convoluted lyrics, and is gorgeous when transformed into a mere mortal with no unearthly powers but lacks the vocal demeanor for the role. Austin Ferris as the gentle but reticent Baker is the splendid foil for Nikki Arias (the wife) whose voice and acting almost steals the show. Almost, but not quite, since Kyle Stoner is charming and loveable as Jack of Beanstalk fame and David Naughton and Ted Zoldan are fun to watch as they preen and prance on and off stage. Courtney Merrell’s over the top depiction of the gluttonous Little Red Riding Hood has her moments but could tone down the histrionics.
To mention all 18 members of the cast would make a long review. Be assured they all perform admirably with enthusiasm, zany humor, and flair while seeming to have fun. Once again, as with their previous productions, Sondheim’s delicious lyrics are not enunciated clearly and often drowned out by the orchestra. They are moving back to the Victoria Theatre for their next show where the acoustics are much better. Running time a long 2 hours and 50 minutes with intermission.
Kedar K. Adour, MD
Courtesy of www.theatreworldinternetmagazine.com
