Into The Woods
Reviewed by David Kashimba
Photo by Eric Chazankin
Kristin Halsing and Wendell Wilson as the wolf

 What would happen if Cinderella, Jack (the bean-stalk climbing giant killer), Little Red Riding Hood, a baker and his wife, Rapunzel, a wicked witch, giants and a dirty old wolf were all part of the same fairy-tale? Well in 6th Street Playhouse’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s musical Into The Woods, there are plenty of surprises, lots of laughter and an abundance of fine music.

Into The Woods is much more than a trip to grandmother’s house. The story, written by James Lapine, combined with Sondheim’s music and lyrics, creates a unique and sometimes haunting mythology. We discover that anything is possible in the woods and that town and church laws don’t apply. While these fairy-tales may appeal to younger members of the audience, they’re also very adult in nature and thought provoking to young and old alike. Though the tone is comic, there is a very dark side to these stories that may be disturbing to children.

There are also many subtle brushstrokes that add color and life to this production, like the makeup for the wolf and the witch and a set design that really brings the audience into the forest and shows the darker side of the woods by having black and white sets behind colored sets, echoing the words of one of the characters: “Right and wrong don‘t mean anything in the woods.” But above all else is a very professional cast of great singing voices and subtle acting talent capable of showing all the rocks, fallen trees and many struggles along the mythological path to living “happily ever after.”

Don’t miss this impressive musical, directed by comic genius Gene Abravaya, now playing in Santa Rosa. For tickets or more information call (707) 523-4185 or visit www.6thstreetplayhouse.com.

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