mrdreamjeans | INTO THE WOODS

The Guthrie Theater has once again produced a fantastic Summer musical. I attended a Thursday preview just prior to opening night and was delighted by the show! Once again kudos to the designers for the atmospheric sets and evocative costumes, for the critically important lighting and sound.

When other venues in the city are bringing in non-union tours, The Guthrie continues to present shows with casts that are union and often local. It’s always good to give hometown actors employment and benefits! With “Into the Woods”, several local actors portrayed prominent roles.

The Twin Cities’ excellent actors included: Sasha Andreev as The Wolf and Rapunzel’s Prince; Cat Brandisi as Florinda; Kym Chambers Otto as Cinderella’s stepmother; Anna Hashizume as Cinderella’s Mother and Rapunzel; the delightful Suzie Juul as Little Red Riding Hood, Kim Kivens as Jack’s Mother and Granny; Max Wojtanowicz as Cinderella’s Father and The Steward and Regina Marie Williams as the Narrator/Mysterious Man. All provided detailed, in-depth, often comic, performances.

Madeline Trumble as the Baker’s Wife sang beautifully and played well against Robert Knight’s Baker. They made a very believable couple. Trevor James as Jack was nimbly youthful; his allegedly dim actions drive much of the narrative of this mash-up of fairy tale stories. John Yi as Milky White/Cinderella’s Prince was a hoot as Jack’s cow, switching effortlessly to Cinderella’s stalwart Prince. Emily Tyra made a lovely Cinderella with a conscience and Lisa Howard was a powerful, at times frightening, Witch!

I highly recommend this riveting version of “Into the Woods”. I am often disappointed by singing voices, but not with this company of actors! They are all excellent singing actors. If you have the opportunity, please go see this inspired telling of this Stephen Sondheim/ James Lapine musical, stage directed by Sarna Lapine, choreographed by Alison Soloman and musically directed by Denise Prosek! Go! Enjoy!