Into The Woods combines the well-known fairy tales of Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Little Red Riding Hood with the story of the Baker and his Wife who desperately want a child. Unfortunately, the Baker and his Wife have been cursed with childlessness by a witch and must perform various missions involving the characters in the other fairy tales to break the spell. The Baker and his Wife must bring the witch a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn, and a slipper as pure as gold. Once the characters have accomplished their goals, however, they learn about the pitfalls of greed and gluttony. Finally, they learn about the need for community and unity and the power of wishes and dreams.
PERFORMANCE DATES: November 9 - December 8, 2007 (Fridays and Saturdays): 8pm
VENUE: Music Museum
DIRECTION: RITO ASILO
I enjoyed watching this play so much that it has taken me this long to write about it (I watched on 25 November 2007). It is soooo good and the actors are phenomenal! Ordinarily when I watch plays I like to be within spitting distance. For this one (for financial reasons) we sat at the balcony (aka nosebleed section, which wasn't bad, actually since the Music Museum is an intimate theater) and we had an excellent view of most of the set. I think the only part we really didn't see was Cinderella's mom (ghost).
The Story:
I haven't read
The Uses of Enchantment from which the script was based but after watching the play, I am intrigued about it now. I found it interesting how several Grimm fairy tales were interwoven into one story. I also thought it was interesting to see what happens after "happily ever after". For me, the conclusion actually made sense.
The Actors: Performances that stood out for me
Julia Abueva as Little Red Riding Hood. For an 11 year old, her singing voice is very mature. She sounds better than many seasoned singers I have heard. She is also a fantastic actor. I'm surprised that I haven't heard as much about her as her talent warrants. I await the day she gets to perform in Broadway and at the West End. I'll keep her in my radar from now on and will do my best to watch her future performances.
Cathy Azanza as Cinderella. When she sings it seems to effortless you almost don't notice the impossibly high notes that she hits as she does her trills and runs, especially at the scenes where she is talking to the birds. I didn't like her ball gown. I think the costumer should have come up with something better. She actually looked better in the cinder-covered clothes.
Menchu Lauchengo-Yulo as the baker's wife is not only an excellent singer but is also an excellent actor. My favorite scene with her in it is the one where she encounters Prince Charming in the woods in the second act. She is a good wife and tries to resist his charms and yet ... who hasn't dreamed of catching the eye of a prince? She portrayed her role so well that I actually forgot who she was and so only the character.
Missy Maramara as The Narrator. Interesting portrayal. Very authoritative and matter of fact. Her timing was also excellent! Of course, with such a wonderful script and score, who can help but give a great performance, right? Even to the end when she is sacificed to the Giantess, she still tried to stand on her dignity, without much success! hehehe. But then, that was still in character.
John Mulhall as Rapunzel's prince. I will admit it. I have a little bit of a crush on him, hehehe. You can't deny, he's a hottie. And it helps that he is chockful of talent. I thought it was funny how he married Rapunzel and later ended up being Snow White's prince. I was able to see him perform in the past for Trumpets. I believe it was in The Little Mermaid.
Lynn Sherman as The Witch. What can I say? I love you, Lynn!
Not only are you a friend, you are also a fantastic singer and actor. I can't judge you as a dancer since I haven't seen that yet, hehehe. I wanted to ask though, how come you were cast as a witch, again? Just curious. You definitely did the role justice. Bernadette Peters is a tough act to follow. I love Bernadette Peters, too, hehehe.
Joaqui Valdez as Jack surprised me. Despite the bulging muscles, he came across as shy and unsure, totally embracing his character as Jack (of Jack and the Beanstalk). His relationship with his cow, Milky, was sweet and the scene where he says goodbye to her was poignant. I was told beforehand by my daughter that he was a good singer so I knew to expect a good singing performance from him. I was heartened to learn he wasn't all song but had the acting ability, too.
Michael Williams as the baker. My favorite scene ... when he was trying to take the red cape from Little Red Riding Hood. I thought it was priceless! I keep getting this feeling that I've seen him acting many times before. It is highly possible I have. He is, after all, a seasoned stage actor. I took a peek at his credits and one play jumped out at me. They're Playing Our Song, which, I believe, was performed with Lea Salonga at the Aguinaldo Theater. I remember I watched it 2 or 3 times, hehehe.
Jamie Wilson as Prince Charming/the wolf. I'll be honest with you. I wasn't all that excited to learn he was Prince Charming --- but only because he doesn't fit the mold of MY Prince Charming. Does that make sense? But that is irrelevant because he was great as both the wolf and as Prince Charming. In the scene where he seduces the baker's wife in the woods I was tempted to hide behind my hands and squeal. I was thinking, "Oh, no, he will NOT!" And of course, he did. After a few too many kisses, they got it on ... in the woods!
The Music:
Kudos to
Stephen Sondheim for his genius in the composition and scoring of this fantastic musical! Click
HERE if you want to hear the music for yourself. That list is the original broadway recording of Into The Woods.
If you are into musicals and you haven't watched it yet, I suggest you find the time to do so. I promise, it is worth every peso. Click
HERE for the teaser video.
