Into the Woods
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by James Lapine
Directed by Justin Been
Stray Dog Theatre
March 30, 2023
Cast of Into the Woods
Photo by John Lamb
Stray Dog Theatre
Into the Woods is a popular show. Even among the works of legendary composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim, this is probably his most well-known show among today’s theatregoers. It’s so oft-performed among school, community, and regional theatres that it’s become something of a mainstay, to the point where the current staging at Stray Dog Theatre is the first of two professional productions in St. Louis this year. This show, directed by SDT’s usual director of musicals, Justin Been, is precisely staged and highly imaginative, with an inventive concept and eye-catching production values, along with excellent performances and clever casting.
The story has become a well-known one, cobbling together a variety of familiar fairy tales along with a new connecting story involving a Baker (Tyler Luetkenhaus) and his Wife (Margaret Stall), who wish to have a child, and who are helped by their neighbor, the Witch (Jennelle Gilreath Owens), who has her own reasons for helping them. This story is woven into other stories involving well-known fairy tale characters Cinderella (Maggie Nold), Little Red Riding Hood (Grace Langford), Jack (Shannon Lampkin Campbell) of beanstalk fame; and Rapunzel (Dawn Schmid), who has been raised by the overprotective Witch. Most of the characters are involved in the Baker and Baker’s Wife’s quest in the first act, and all have their own wishes to pursue, but the second act explores the consequences that come from pursuing those wishes without thought of potential repercussions. There’s also a strong theme of parent-child relationships, and what younger generations can learn from their elders, for good or ill. It’s a well-structured, exquisitely timed story that features complex plotting and Sondheim’s memorable score and lyrics.
The story is briskly timed, driven by the score, played here by the excellent onstage band led by music director Leah Schultz. Once the Narrator (Jonathan Hey) intones the familiar “once upon a time”, the music begins and marks the time as the events proceed at a deliberate and relentless pace. The world of the show is vividly imagined, with the conceit this time of its taking place in a kind of whimsical library, as the set by Been and Dominic Emery features shelves decorated by numerous books of various sizes and colors. The characters are outfitted in a striking manner, as Eileen Engel’s colorful costumes and Sarah Gene Dowling’s meticulously detailed, cartoonish wigs suit the characters ideally, aiding in their characterizations. There’s also memorable lighting by Tyler Duenow that further emphasizes the otherworldly, fairylike atmosphere.
As for the casting, it’s stellar, with excellent performances all around and some clever doubling for some performers, such as having Cinderella’s stepsisters, Florinda and Lucinda, played by the same performers playing Cinderella’s and Rapunzel’s Princes (Drew Mizell and Sarah Polizzi, respectively). The key players–Luetkenhaus as the insecure Baker, Stall as the determined Baker’s Wife, and Owens as the scheming Witch–are all terrific, with excellent chemistry between Luetkenhaus and Stall, and Owens having some memorable scenes with the also excellent Schmid as the sheltered Rapunzel. Other standouts include Campbell as the plucky Jack, along with Laura Lee Kyro as Jack’s Mother; Langford as the initially naïve Little Red Riding Hood; and Michael Wells as a ravenous Wolf, as well as the Prince’s Steward and Cinderella’s father. Hey makes a strong impression as both the Narrator and the Mysterious Man, who shows up from time to time to the confusion of those with whom he interacts. Mizell and Polizzi are particularly memorable as the stepsisters and, especially, the Princes, with Polizzi’s remarkable ability to sing in two distinctly different voices (and ranges) especially impressive. This is a show that requires excellent comic timing as well as strong dramatic ability from its cast, and this production certainly has all that, with especially poignant moments at various moments in the show such as the Baker’s “No More” and the finale “Children Will Listen” leaving a lasting impression.
Overall, this is a first-rate production of an oft-performed show. Into the Woods is so popular that it might be easy to think there’s not much new that can be done with it. This is a surprisingly versatile show, though–with so many excellent, imaginative productions coming out of this one familiar story and script. Stray Dog Theatre and director Justin Been have put together a clever, thoughtful, highly entertaining show that emphasizes the characters and themes with effective immediacy and timeless resonance. It’s a fantastic production.
Shannon Lampkin Campbell, Tyler Luetkenhaus, Maggie Nold
Photo by John Lamb
Stray Dog Theatre
Stray Dog Theatre is presenting Into the Woods at Tower Grove Abbey until April 22, 2023
