A stellar adventure ‘Into the Woods’

Tom Titus

There’s good news and bad news regarding the No Square Theater’s

production of Stephen Sondheim’s superlative musical “Into the

Woods.”

The good news is that the show is magnificent, matching and often

exceeding the professionalism of No Square’s big brother over on

Laguna Canyon Road. The bad news is that it was only in Laguna Beach

for one weekend -- the show played a finale in Leisure World this

week.

The production, staged at Laguna Beach High School’s Artists

Theater, is a shining example of the heights local talent can reach.

Director Marguerite MacIntyre, who brings Broadway credits to her

Laguna assignment, has mounted a wonderfully involving show from

Sondheim’s collection of fairy tale characters thrust together for a

giant adventure.

And even if you’re quite familiar with “Into the Woods,” there are

a number of surprises in this incarnation. It’s been touched up and

amplified in the two decades since it first swept the Tony Awards on

Broadway. There are some new melodies, and additional dialogue, which

tend to fill in the gaps left by the original.

MacIntyre’s casting is, in many ways, against type. Cinderella’s

Prince, who doubles as the Wolf (Rufino Cabang) is a head shorter

than his eventual bride (Pam Plummer), and when he seduces the

Baker’s wife (tall, lanky Vandy Scoates) in the woods, he requires a

riser or two to make eye contact. Scoates also dwarfs her husband (No

Square artistic director Steve Josephson).

It’s doubtful that anyone could make “Into the Woods” aficionados

forget Bernadette Peters’ wonderfully scary-comic Witch, but Laurel

Boyd has put a strong new spin on this central character. Boyd is

captivating, both as the cursed harridan and, later, as her gorgeous

real self. Her solo “The Last Midnight” is a certified showstopper

and she’s fast on her feet as well, paraphrasing another performer’s

dropped line without missing a beat.

Josephson is particularly strong as the Baker, on a quest for the

Witch’s special ingredients so his family curse may be lifted.

Josephson movingly renders the late-show plea “No More” in a search

for normalcy, and his energy propels the entire production.

Scoates doesn’t really sink her teeth firmly into her quarrelsome

character, although her comic agility during her “Moments in the

Woods” number compensates splendidly. A better choice for this role

might have been Lisa Morrice, a splendid singer and actress who plays

Jack’s mother -- a part described as “not quite beautiful.” It’s

doubtful that Sondheim had a charmer like Morrice in mind for this

character.

The roles of Jack and Little Red Riding Hood are written for

teenagers, but adults Jasper Kump and Karen Rymar revel in these

assignments.

Cinderella’s Stepmother (Debbie Meeker) and her two spoiled

daughters (Cecily Gish and Carol Robinson) inject a good bit of humor

into their segment. Michelle Johnson exhibits a marvelous young voice

as an age-appropriate Rapunzel, while Gregory Rex Engelking is

impressive as her prince. His pair of “Agony” duets with Cabang are

particularly enjoyable.

Solid supporting performances from Gregg Barnette (narrator), Rich

Wordes (Mysterious Man) and Patti Lee (Granny) spice the Laguna

production, while Gary Krantz (Steward) and Barbara Wordes (an unseen

Giant) also get their licks in. Jim Bragg has more to do here then

most actors playing Cinderella’s father.

The No Square players have gone all out on costumes (designed by

Rebecca Guzzi) and choreography (Kelly Anne Bixby), while making do

with a series of risers and a back wall used for rear-screen

projections to simulate a setting. Musical director Adam Hemming

conducts an “orchestra” composed solely of Roxanna Ward that performs

splendidly and, thankfully, doesn’t overshadow the singers. Clarity

is a big plus in this production.

“Into The Woods” represents a plethora of talent and ambition

compressed into a four-performance engagement.

These kinds of shows should run for weeks, if not months. The

company’s next project is “The Philadelphia Story” March 26 through

28 in the Forum Theater on the Festival of Arts grounds.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Coastline Pilot.