Coming Soon - "Into the Woods"

Coming up next weekend is the outstanding Stephen Sondheim show Into the Woods, which is a show that's not well known among the general public, but it's one that theatre fans love.

It's also a show that apparently generates some controversy. The story is, essentially, a mash-up of well-known nursery rhymes - so you have Little Red Riding Hood meeting Jack (who likes to climb beanstalks) and the evil Witch and Snow White and Cinderella and Prince Charming and the Baker and his Wife and the Wolf and... well, you get the idea. But it's not a "kiddie" show.

The first act of the show follows a (mostly) traditional telling of those stories, woven together with some fantastic songs by Sondheim. It's the second act where things take a surprising turn, because it covers what happens after "Happily Ever After."

Here you see that Prince Charming is something of a cad, and Jack's adventure with a giant has deadly consequences. Some prefer their fairy tales sweet and innocent (though I doubt you could say that about the orginal Grimm's Fairy Tales), and don't care for that second act.

Others have heard about stage versions of the show which included some "adult" material. Of course, almost any show can be made more "adult" - it's all in the presentation. In my own experience, First Stage has presented shows such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Cats and Les Miserables: School Edition - all shows that include scenes that could be staged in an adult, lascivious way - but directors have enough control over any show to be able to present it in a tasteful, entertaining way that doesn't offend.

The last time I saw Into the Woods, it was a production of the Children's Theatre in Columbus, and there was nothing objectionable about it (and certainly kids see lots worse things in TV commercials). It's a show that has become a staple for high school theatre groups around the country.

The show touches on the importance of love and family, and being true to your promises. The music is terrific, the show is very funny, and it's a great opportunity for young performers to tackle a challenging work of art.

I know I'm prejudiced, since I'm on the board of First Stage, but I can't wait to see this show! I've listened in to a few rehearsals, and the All-Star cast is incredible - I guarantee, you'll be amazed at these performers!

In the days ahead we'll talk more about it, and we'll have some interviews with the directors and the cast of the show - so stay tuned!