The characters alone should tell you that “Into the Woods” is not your ordinary fairy tale.
There’s Jack in the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, Cinderella, two Prince Charmings, Little Red Riding Hood, a witch and a couple of wolves all wound together into a fantastical tale that is, oddly enough, heartwarming, lighthearted and thoroughly entertaining.
Whatever your weekend plans, include a night at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center to see Allen County Community College’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods.” The students of the college’s music and theater departments deliver a stellar performance of the challenging musical.
The story line starts with three loosely woven plots that the play’s narrator, Isiah Smith, keeps straight for the audience.
A hapless youth, Jack, portrayed by Skye Strickler, trades his beloved cow for five beans to the baker and his wife, portrayed by Jamarious Wicker and Jessica Truitt. The milky white cow is just one of four things the baker and his wife need to appease a wicked witch who has cast a spell on them and left them unable to conceive a child.
Meanwhile, a rather saucy Little Red Riding Hood, played by Amber Wiederholt, has gone, yes, into the woods, to grandmother’s house and was gobbled up. When freed by the baker, the chastened Little Red sings, “I Know Things Now,” saying, “Do not put your faith in a cape and hood. They will not protect you the way that they should. And take extra care with strangers, even flowers have their dangers, and though scary is exciting, nice is different than good.” Wiederholt’s voice as Little Red Riding Hood stands her in good stead with its clarity and strength.
Then there’s Cinderella, played by Katie Knoblich, who wants to go to “the festival,” but doesn’t realize a prince has to come with it.
This also causes a very frustrated prince, played by Jon Eddy, whose princely brother, played by Mack Melvin, can relate in his efforts to woo Rapunzel, played by Katarina McIntosh.
The brothers commiserate in their song, “Agony.”
“What’s so intriguing — or half so fatiguing — as what’s out of reach?”
Topping it all off is the wicked witch, played by Sabra Aguirre, who set all the various plots in action through her spell of revenge.
THE MAGIC of the woods, wonderfully illustrated by inventive scenery, seems to change people. The hapless baker becomes decisive, responsible. His wife sings, “You’ve changed. You’re daring. You’re different in the woods. More sure. More sharing. You’re getting us through the woods.”
To which he replies, “It takes patience and fear, and despair to change.”
“You’re thriving,” she says. “You’re blossoming in the woods. At home I’d fear we’d stay the same forever. I know we’ll get past the woods. And once we’re past, let’s hope the changes last beyond the woods.”
The Tony Award-winning score is not wasted on the young talent. As Jack, Strickler uses his strong but sweet voice to sing a touching farewell song to his cow as well as one about giants.
Shelby Cruz plays Jack’s mother and does a fine job showing her love — and frustration — for her impulsive son.
As the witch, Aguirre’s strong acting and singing talents come through even from behind a hideous mask. In the second act it’s a relief to see her unencumbered by the costume not only for her natural beauty but also to better appreciate her wide-ranging voice.
Aguirre shines in her haunting rendition of “Last Midnight.”
“You’re so nice. I’m not good. I’m not nice. I’m just right. I’m the witch. You’re the world. I’m the hitch. I’m what no one believes. I’m the witch.”
Knoblick made an appealing Cinderella whatever way she was dressed — rags or ball gown. Her crystal clear voice is strong on its own and was a wonderful accompaniment when paired with Truitt, the baker’s wife. Truitt also has a strong and melodious voice that complimented her complex character.
The small and spry Jonathan Schmidt does a wonderful job portraying a mysterious man who sounds as one’s conscious at moments of indecision. If only we all had such a sprite popping up out of the woods to make us think twice.
Wicker’s role as baker/husband/father/son grew stronger throughout the play and he carried it with sensitivity and palpable emotion. His song, “No More,” came when he seemed to have lost all that he held most dear. “No more,” he sings wearily. “No more questions, please. No more tests. … No more riddles, no more jests. No more curses you can’t undo, left by fathers you never knew. No more quests. No more feelings. Time to shut the door. Just … no more.”
The play ends ala Shakespeare, complete with timeless morals and all loose ends neatly tied — though surprising.
NARY A WORD was lost by the principal actors, no doubt due to the experienced and talented leadership of the husband and wife team of Michelle and Bryan Summers who served as musical directors. The Summerses are new ACCC faculty this fall. She teaches choir and he instrumental music.
Susie McKinnis, an English instructor at the college, was director of the play.
As with any production of this size, members from across the college and community worked to pull it off. Of special note is the scenery overseen by Russell McMurray. Jim Stukey of Burlington was the master talent behind the elaborate forest and drop. Students from Burlington High School and ACCC followed his directions to complete the sets.
The elaborate and fanciful costumes were by the hand of Nancy McEndree.
The cast and crew of the musical was extensive, including three little pigs, various grannies and wolves, parents and a nasty stepmother and stepsisters to Cinderella.
Actors with lesser, but no less important, roles included Dakota Yohe, Debra Francis, Kait Spainhoward, Amanda Lee, Jeremy Franics, Debbie Coltrane, Eli Waddle, Tanya Wilson and Emily Wullenschneider.
The play begins at 7:30 tonight, Friday and Saturday. Tickets are available either at the door or at Iola Pharmacy. Tickets cost $6 for adults and $4 for students.
