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Into the Woods
Center for the Arts May 6 through 23, 2010 |
The Rave Reviews
"Stephen Sondheim’s musical “Into the Woods” is a major undertaking, with a cast of 21, and a very complex score. The story takes fairy tales like “Jack and the Beanstalk” and “Cinderella,” and retells them from a sophisticated adult point of view.
The first thing I noticed about this production was the 15-member pit orchestra – including several conservatory-trained musicians with professional orchestra and Hollywood experience. There are well-trained performers in the cast as well – one has a theater degree from Yale, another has sung with Sacramento Opera. And this talent pool connects with Sondheim’s songs, like the wickedly funny number depicting a seductive Big Bad Wolf eying his next meal, Little Red Riding Hood. Red Riding Hood is played by a Nevada Union High School student, and there are several other teenagers in the cast, which makes this show an appealing hybrid of professional and community theater. Overall, it’s a strong production, meticulously planned and well-performed."
Jeff Hudson, Capital Public Radio
Listen to Jeff's review here.
The first thing I noticed about this production was the 15-member pit orchestra – including several conservatory-trained musicians with professional orchestra and Hollywood experience. There are well-trained performers in the cast as well – one has a theater degree from Yale, another has sung with Sacramento Opera. And this talent pool connects with Sondheim’s songs, like the wickedly funny number depicting a seductive Big Bad Wolf eying his next meal, Little Red Riding Hood. Red Riding Hood is played by a Nevada Union High School student, and there are several other teenagers in the cast, which makes this show an appealing hybrid of professional and community theater. Overall, it’s a strong production, meticulously planned and well-performed."
Jeff Hudson, Capital Public Radio
Listen to Jeff's review here.
"Into the Woods" is an Absolute Winner
"It takes only single, emphatic words to describe “Into the Woods,” Sierra Stages current co-production with The Center for the Arts. Excellent! Fabulous! Wonderful! I was expecting good things from a Stephen Sondheim play directed by Robert Rossman with musical direction by Ken Getz, but it exceeded anything I anticipated.
However, least you think I’m engaging in hyperbole, let me quote from what others have told me: “This is the best musical production I have seen in this area and I’ve lived here for years;” “I can’t think of anything I would change as everything was perfect;” “The singing voices and enunciation were excellent;” “I so enjoyed the wonderful live orchestra.” Several professional musicians attending on opening night said they thought it was “amazing.” Over and over, I heard the same effusive praise. Thus, I’m not the only one who thinks this production will raise the bar for any future musical plays.
“Into the Woods” isn’t just about fairy tales, although these are the vehicles through which the meaty issues of this play—parent-child relationships, love, individual and community responsibility—are presented. The lesson here is to be careful what you wish for as you may get it. Listen to the lyrics, they are insightful and significant. And so clearly enunciated that you can actually decipher the sung words, a rarity in a lesser production.
Since every actor and musician (22 actors and 16 musicians) does such a sterling job and since I liked everything about the show, it’s difficult to restrain my tributes. However, because of space limitations, I must, so I will particularly cite the excellent voice and performance of Grace Fae as the Witch and the spot-on interpretation of Little Red Riding Hood by Kathleen Ashton. The duet sung by JR Lewis and Dylan Hoy-Bianchi as the two princes was a standout.
The professional-level stage direction and set design by Rossman, musical direction by Getz, costumes by Kay Drake, wigs and hair design by Alan Rollins, witch and wolf design by Rosemary Stoenner and Drake, lighting by Erin Brighting and sound by Greg Cameron (hold onto your seat when the giant walks around) allow the actors and musicians to present a first-class musical.
Do not miss this show or you will chide yourself after talking to anyone who does see it and tells you how incredibly good it is. Run, don’t walk, to buy tickets as the musical continues at The Center for the Arts through May 23."
Hindi Greenberg, The Prospector
However, least you think I’m engaging in hyperbole, let me quote from what others have told me: “This is the best musical production I have seen in this area and I’ve lived here for years;” “I can’t think of anything I would change as everything was perfect;” “The singing voices and enunciation were excellent;” “I so enjoyed the wonderful live orchestra.” Several professional musicians attending on opening night said they thought it was “amazing.” Over and over, I heard the same effusive praise. Thus, I’m not the only one who thinks this production will raise the bar for any future musical plays.
“Into the Woods” isn’t just about fairy tales, although these are the vehicles through which the meaty issues of this play—parent-child relationships, love, individual and community responsibility—are presented. The lesson here is to be careful what you wish for as you may get it. Listen to the lyrics, they are insightful and significant. And so clearly enunciated that you can actually decipher the sung words, a rarity in a lesser production.
Since every actor and musician (22 actors and 16 musicians) does such a sterling job and since I liked everything about the show, it’s difficult to restrain my tributes. However, because of space limitations, I must, so I will particularly cite the excellent voice and performance of Grace Fae as the Witch and the spot-on interpretation of Little Red Riding Hood by Kathleen Ashton. The duet sung by JR Lewis and Dylan Hoy-Bianchi as the two princes was a standout.
The professional-level stage direction and set design by Rossman, musical direction by Getz, costumes by Kay Drake, wigs and hair design by Alan Rollins, witch and wolf design by Rosemary Stoenner and Drake, lighting by Erin Brighting and sound by Greg Cameron (hold onto your seat when the giant walks around) allow the actors and musicians to present a first-class musical.
Do not miss this show or you will chide yourself after talking to anyone who does see it and tells you how incredibly good it is. Run, don’t walk, to buy tickets as the musical continues at The Center for the Arts through May 23."
Hindi Greenberg, The Prospector