Fairy tale mash-up Fairy tale mash-up (December 09, 2005)

Characters collide with each other and, eventually, reality in TheatreWorks' new presentation of "Into the Woods"

By Julie O'Shea

Apparently, TheatreWorks artistic director Robert Kelley has learned a thing or two from reading fairy tales. Last weekend, he managed to weave straw into solid gold when he unveiled "Into the Woods" at Palo Alto's Lucie Stern Theatre.

It's been more than a decade since the Silicon Valley playhouse last staged "Woods," a 1987 ode to the Grimm Brothers by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. But it's been well worth the wait. This production was a labor of love for Kelley, and the finished product has the veteran director's thumbprint all over it, from the falling snow to the thick vine of Jack's beanstalk snaking its way up center stage.

J.B. Wilson's handsome, multi-layered set, reflected against Steven Mannshardt's brilliant lighting choices, gives the illusion that we have stumbled into one of our childhood storybooks.

However, while many of the characters sound familiar -- Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty -- Sondheim is quick to remind us that this is his version of the famed bedtime stories. And in his version, there's no such thing as "happily ever after." Prince Charming doesn't exist, either. Oh, and Little Red Ridinghood? Watch out for her. She likes to play with knives.

This all may sound as sordid as a Gregory Maguire novel, but the subtext of Sondheim's lyrics speak of things that are only too familiar to everyday life -- a husband's wandering eye, a mother's love, a child's fear.

For all those Sondheim fans out there, you'll be happy to know that this TheatreWorks cast does the songs justice. Patrick Leveque and Michael Hunsaker as the arrogant princes give a glorious rendition of "Agony," a lovely ballad that provides us with a glimpse at what men really think when no one's around to listen. James Monroe Iglehart is simply delicious as Little Red's big bad wolf. And after starting off a bit shaky, Thursday Farrar is simply stunning as the Witch, making "Lament" and "Last Midnight" musical highlights

The story centers on the Baker (Jackson Davis, who is reprising the role) and his wife (Christiane Noll). The two desperately want a child but can't because of a curse put on their house by the "witch next door" (Farrar). The Witch tells them she'll lift the spell if they fetch her a few things.

Setting off into the woods, a metaphor for life, the couple stumbles upon Jack (Robert Brewer) who is heading to market to sell his cow, the first item on the Witch's list. (In an effective move away from his old staging, Kelley decided to have an actor play the part of Milky White. Local puppeteer Bill Olson looks absolutely adorable in the intricately tailored cow suit by Jill Bowers.)

After convincing Jack to sell his beloved pet for a few "magic beans," the Baker leaves to go track down the other items on the list -- a glass shoe, some long golden hair and a red cape -- which brings Cinderella (Cristin Boyle), Rapunzel (Tielle Baker) and Little Red (Courtney Stokes) into the action.

By the end of Act One, everyone seems happy enough. The Bakers finally get pregnant. Little Red is sporting a new wolf-skin cape. And Cinderella marries her prince.

But then Act Two rolls around, and suddenly the woods aren't looking so friendly anymore -- for Sondheim has taken the characters out of their fairy tale world. Now in the "real world," they must face infidelity, heartbreak and, yes, even death.
INFORMATION: What: TheatreWorks presents "Into the Woods," by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine Where: Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto When: Through Jan. 7, Tuesday to Sunday. There will be no shows on Dec. 24, 25 and 27 and on Jan. 3 Cost: $20-$54, with discounts available for youth, students, seniors and members Info: Call (650) 903-6000 or go to www.theatreworks.org

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