‘Once upon a time’ … Stephen Sondheim’s treasured music theatre favourite INTO THE WOODS (Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by James Lapine, originally directed on Broadway by James Lapine) delivers its take on precisely all that happens after ‘Happily Ever After’ and yes indeed ‘the truth hurts’.
A modern politically corrected twist is applied to well-known classic fairy-tales, with a terrific cast of great voices who each evoke exactly the right mood during their performances. The original fairy tale of a childless baker and his wife who had been cursed by a witch, has been combined with the Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel fairy tales.
This clever and enthusiastic new production is vibrantly alive with a clear vision applied it by the New South Wales University Theatrical Society (NUTS) director Matthew McEewan who returns INTO THE WOODS to the quite grim version presented in the Original 1987 Broadway Production, but with the addition of the song Our Little World from the 1990 Original London Production.
Showing the very darkest parts of the dangerous woods, where the songs clearly outline the characters’ thinking patterns, whilst considering the options.
The giant is heard but not seen, and the foreboding presence of the Giant is felt with the use of a very effective loud voiceover featuring bass driven, highly reverberating sounds.
With some actors in multiple roles, the large cast of nineteen performers and the full orchestra, are mainly students who are studying the theatre and music programs, at the University of New South Wales.
The annual major NUTS production is entirely organized by UNSW students, and they have put together a good, solid night of entertainment. Everyone in the cast and orchestra, plus the production and stage crew teams, all work together to ensure that the show and the behind-the-scenes components work and run exactly as rehearsed.
The musical runs for three hours and includes one interval. The story explores adult themes and concepts, and is unsuitable for young children.
THE CAST:
The Narrator: Emma Gillespie
The Baker: Hamish Stening
The Baker’s Wife: Kathy Xenos
The Witch: Taylor Ann Cable
Cinderella: Lucy Vallely
Little Red Riding Hood: Elisabeth Cooper
Jack: Joshua Karras
Jack’s Mother: Tess Imogen Sterland
The Wolf & Cinderella’s Prince: Daniel Larratt
Rapunzel’s Prince: Callum Bowles
The Steward: Stu MacLaine
Rapunzel: Carolynne Szady
Cinderella’s Step Mother: Natasha Atkins
Florinda: Yasmin Stelling
Lucinda: Ellie Robson
Cinderella’s Father and the Mysterious Man: Ryan Fogwell
Ghost of Cinderella’s Mother, Little Red Riding Hood’s Grandmother and the Giant : Natasha Allen
CREATIVE TEAM:
Directed by Matt McEwen
Produced by Lauren Schramko
Music Direction by Harry Collins
SEASON DETAILS:
8 to 12 September 2015
Lend Lease Darling Quarter Theatre DARLING HARBOUR
1-25 Harbour Street, Sydney, NSW
BOOKINGS:
http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=141423
WEBSITE:
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