Direct from New York City comes a first-class production of the Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine musical Into the Woods. Featuring an all-star cast and magnificent production values, it will be onstage at the Miller Theater (part of the Kimmel Cultural Campus) until April 9. 

 

As might be expected, the theatre was mobbed entering the theater, pressed so closely in the lobby as to remind you of New Year’s Eve in Times Square, and excited ticket holders bursting with glee finally reaching their seats long past the 7:30 announced curtain.

 

The minute the curtain rose, and the lights shone on the cast, an uproar from the audience lasted nearly five minutes. As was soon apparent, this audience knew and loved this musical, probably listening to it and seeing it many times before now. This production had been at New York’s City Center Encores before embarking on a tour, so many in the audience may have even seen it only weeks before. Broadway stars Montego Glover as the Witch, Stephanie J. Block as Baker’s Wife, Sebastian Arcelus as Baker, and Gavin Creel as Cinderella’s Prince and Wolf lent excess star power to the production. Each entrance provoked loud acclaim from the audience.

 

The audience loved, loved, loved Milky White, the cow commandeered with aplomb by puppeteer Kennedy Kanagawa. The acting prowess of Kanagawa/Milky White elicited bravos, sighs, and audible woes from the audience many times. 

 

The audience went especially wild when Gavin Creel capered about and sang as the Wolf. 

 

A tremendous surprise and much admired was the Little Red Riding Hood of Katy Geraghty. She quickly slid from naive innocent waif to sassy brass tacks to homicidal moxie. She was a laugh riot and an especially thrilling actress and singer. The other Prince was a handsome, princely stud played by actor Jason Forbach. The two Princes shone in their duets, “Agony,” and its reprise. Of course, the classic tunes “Giants In The Sky,” and “Children Will Listen” were showstoppers.

 

Bravos to the creative team on a flawless presentation of sound, lighting, costumes, choreography, music, and scenery. Bravos also to the cast, musicians, dancers, and puppet creators all directed magically by Lear deBessonet. 

 

This production of Into the Woods is a fairytale of theater magic and make-believe.

 

Future Broadway productions at the Kimmel Center include: Jesus Christ Superstar (May 2-7), Beetlejuice (May 30-June 11), Moulin Rouge! The Musical (July 5-30), and The Lion King (August 16-September 10)

 

For tickets and information: 

www.kimmelculturalcampus.org