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| The cast of Broadway By the Bay's "Into the Woods." |
The woods are a magical place in
composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods.”
Unfortunately, some of that magic is
missing in Broadway By the Bay’s uneven production.
In this show, Sondheim and book writer
James Lapine blend several fairy tale characters into a story of wishes.
Thus Cinderella (Jennifer Mitchell),
Little Red Ridinghood (Jenni Chapman), Jack of beanstalk fame (Kamren Mahaney),
Rapunzel (Chloë Angst) and even a few brief allusions to Snow White (Amanda
Plant) and Sleeping Beauty (Gabby Wylie-Chaney) all are included.
Then the creators added the new tale of
a childless baker (Sam Faustine) and his wife (Juliana Lustenader) along with a
witch (Jen Brooks).
The characters all have wishes that take
them “Into the Woods” for fulfillment.
During the first act, their wishes are granted,
and they seem destined for a happy “Ever After.”
During the second act, however, they
face a new challenge: The giant (voice of Jennifer Martinelli) that made its
way to earth via Jack’s beanstalk is wreaking havoc in search of the lad, Jack,
who slew her husband.
They also face another challenge:
reality, the realization that getting what you wish for isn’t necessarily the
path to happiness.
Selfishness and betrayal intervene. Some
people die, leaving their loved ones behind, but somehow the survivors find the
courage to keep on going because they realize “No One Is Alone.”
Despite its fairy tale basis, this is a
show that’s more suited for adults and teenagers, not young children.
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| Cinderella (Jennifer Mitchell, left) and the Baker's Wife (Juliana Lustenader). |
On the plus side in BBB’s production is
the singing, especially by Chapman as Little Red Ridinghood, Mitchell as
Cinderella, Melissa Costa as Jack’s mother and John Melis as Cinderella’s prince
and the wolf.
Some other roles are marred by stray
pitches and less than perfect articulation of the fast-paced, witty lyrics.
The acting is mostly good except for David
Blackburn in drag as Cinderella’s stepmother. It’s a good idea, but his
interpretation is too campy, sometimes distracting as he flips his wig when the
focus should be on other characters.
Director Jasen Jeffrey should have done
more to rein in such excesses.
Jeffrey and set designer Kelly James
Tighe also could have done more to enhance the magic. There’s no attempt to
show the beanstalk, and the woods are mostly a suggestion. Scene transitions
are less than fluid, interrupting the story’s flow and making it less
effective.
It’s likely that some audience members
who aren’t familiar with the show might not always realize what’s happening.
Running about two and a half hours with
one intermission, “Into the Woods” will continue through Nov. 24 at the Fox
Theatre, 2215 Broadway St., Redwood City.
For tickets and information, call (650)
579-5565 or visit www.broadwaybythebay.org.
Photos by Tracy Martin, Mark & Tracy Photography
Photos by Tracy Martin, Mark & Tracy Photography
