Sondheim's "Into the Woods" Brings Grimm Fairytale Characters to Life in a Glorious Mashup
Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's timeless collaboration has been beautifully revived at the Bridge Theatre, with Jordan Fein's production shimmering and shining like a beacon of magic. This enchanting adaptation expertly weaves together the dark and fantastical world of the Brothers Grimm, infusing it with the gorgeous music that Sondheim is renowned for.
The show hurtles through its early songs with swift efficiency, setting the tone for a captivating narrative that gathers momentum as it delves deeper into the complexities of its characters. The Baker (Jamie Parker) and his wife (Katie Brayben) are initially introduced with a charming picaresque air, their quest to break a witch's curse unfolding with a series of hilarious misadventures. As they navigate their way through the woods, gathering the magical items required to lift the spell, the show skillfully shifts gears, introducing a darker and more poignant tone.
One of the standout aspects of this production is its thoughtful exploration of the collective unconscious, as suggested by Carl Jung's concept. The witch, in particular, serves as a fascinating study in the "devouring mother" archetype, who stifles Rapunzel's growth through her confinement. As the narrative progresses, the show masterfully balances levity and emotional darkness, conjuring regret, blame, and betrayal into its narrative.
The cast brings an undeniable charm to their performances, imbuing the characters with a sense of humanity that is both authentic and endearing. Jack (Jo Foster) and Red Ridinghood (Gracie McGonigal) exhibit a striking vulnerability, while the Wolf (Oliver Savile) injects a wicked sense of humor into his performance. Kate Fleetwood shines as the Witch, bringing a comically evil air to her portrayal that is tempered by a deeper sense of sorrow.
The cast's singing voices are also noteworthy, delivering performances that are both vocally impressive and emotionally resonant. From the operatic melodrama of the princes' duet "Agony" to the poignant drama of "Children Will Listen," each performer finds moments to excel, showcasing their remarkable talents under Sondheim's iconic music.
The production's set design by Tom Scutt is a visual masterpiece, conjuring a living picture-book of arboreal splendor that crackles with life. The use of pitch black and shafts of light creates a dramatic backdrop that perfectly captures the show's alluring darkness, while Scutt's elegant costumes imbue the characters with a grown-up humanity that deftly avoids any potential pantomime feel.
Ultimately, "Into the Woods" presents an alternative to traditional nuclear family narratives, celebrating the complexity and diversity of non-traditional family formations. This thought-provoking production has none of the broadness or festive spirit of a Christmas show or panto but instead offers a profound exploration of wonder, magic, and happiness.
Through its stunning music, outstanding performances, and exquisite set design, this "Into the Woods" production is a triumph, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there lies a glimmer of hope and redemption.
Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's timeless collaboration has been beautifully revived at the Bridge Theatre, with Jordan Fein's production shimmering and shining like a beacon of magic. This enchanting adaptation expertly weaves together the dark and fantastical world of the Brothers Grimm, infusing it with the gorgeous music that Sondheim is renowned for.
The show hurtles through its early songs with swift efficiency, setting the tone for a captivating narrative that gathers momentum as it delves deeper into the complexities of its characters. The Baker (Jamie Parker) and his wife (Katie Brayben) are initially introduced with a charming picaresque air, their quest to break a witch's curse unfolding with a series of hilarious misadventures. As they navigate their way through the woods, gathering the magical items required to lift the spell, the show skillfully shifts gears, introducing a darker and more poignant tone.
One of the standout aspects of this production is its thoughtful exploration of the collective unconscious, as suggested by Carl Jung's concept. The witch, in particular, serves as a fascinating study in the "devouring mother" archetype, who stifles Rapunzel's growth through her confinement. As the narrative progresses, the show masterfully balances levity and emotional darkness, conjuring regret, blame, and betrayal into its narrative.
The cast brings an undeniable charm to their performances, imbuing the characters with a sense of humanity that is both authentic and endearing. Jack (Jo Foster) and Red Ridinghood (Gracie McGonigal) exhibit a striking vulnerability, while the Wolf (Oliver Savile) injects a wicked sense of humor into his performance. Kate Fleetwood shines as the Witch, bringing a comically evil air to her portrayal that is tempered by a deeper sense of sorrow.
The cast's singing voices are also noteworthy, delivering performances that are both vocally impressive and emotionally resonant. From the operatic melodrama of the princes' duet "Agony" to the poignant drama of "Children Will Listen," each performer finds moments to excel, showcasing their remarkable talents under Sondheim's iconic music.
The production's set design by Tom Scutt is a visual masterpiece, conjuring a living picture-book of arboreal splendor that crackles with life. The use of pitch black and shafts of light creates a dramatic backdrop that perfectly captures the show's alluring darkness, while Scutt's elegant costumes imbue the characters with a grown-up humanity that deftly avoids any potential pantomime feel.
Ultimately, "Into the Woods" presents an alternative to traditional nuclear family narratives, celebrating the complexity and diversity of non-traditional family formations. This thought-provoking production has none of the broadness or festive spirit of a Christmas show or panto but instead offers a profound exploration of wonder, magic, and happiness.
Through its stunning music, outstanding performances, and exquisite set design, this "Into the Woods" production is a triumph, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there lies a glimmer of hope and redemption.
another classic show gets revived and people are going to have their eyes on it - Sondheim's 90s masterpiece "Into the Woods" has just been brought back to life 
at the Bridge Theatre 
but I'm still waiting for someone to tell me about the impending global pandemic that's gonna wipe out most of humanity 
The Baker and his wife are so relatable, it's like they're just two normal people trying to break a curse 
And I'm dying for the Witch, Kate Fleetwood is giving me all the sass 
but also, she's got this super deep sadness going on that's so heartbreaking. The way the show balances light and dark moments is pure magic 
The set design is incredible too, it's like stepping into a whimsical forest 
I just got back from watching this Sondheim adaptation and it's truly magical 
. It's amazing how the show balances levity and emotional darkness, conjuring feelings of regret and sorrow throughout. The cast brings so much charm to their performances, especially Kate Fleetwood as the Witch - her portrayal is both comically evil and deeply sorrowful 
. The set design by Tom Scutt is stunning, creating a living picture-book of woods that crackles with life 
The way they've woven together all these classic fairy tales like Grimm's dark stuff with Sondheim's iconic tunes is pure magic! 
I mean, who wouldn't want to see Jamie Parker as the lovable but hapless Baker trying to break a witch's curse? 
The way they tackle that collective unconscious thing with Carl Jung... it's like, totally deep. 
But what really gets me is how they balance those light and dark moments - it's like you're walking on sunshine one sec and then BAM, feeling all the feels! 
Love how the set design is like a living picture book come to life too! 
And can we talk about that epic "Agony" duet between the princes? 
It gives me LIFE! 
. The cast is absolutely phenomenal - Jamie Parker as the Baker is hilarious, but also so heartbreaking when he's dealing with his wife's curse 
. And Kate Fleetwood as the Witch? Wow, she's like a dark goddess 
.
. That Witch character is a total game-changer, I'm not sure if it's the singing or the acting, but Kate Fleetwood absolutely kills it! 
And can we talk about how cute Jamie Parker looks as the Baker? 
I'm also loving the whole collective unconscious vibe they're going for... it's like Sondheim knew exactly what he was doing all along 
. But what really stood out for me was how well they balanced the lighthearted moments with the darker stuff – it's not always easy to make that work in a musical theatre show, but these guys nailed it 
. And can we talk about the cast? I mean, Kate Fleetwood as the Witch? Goals 
. But what really got me was how thoughtfully they explored some deeper themes, like the idea of a collective unconscious and how our experiences shape us... it's not all just fairy tale nonsense! 
. The set design by Tom Scutt is also straight fire 
.
.
! If you haven't seen it yet, get thee to the Bridge Theatre ASAP 