Into the Woods Magic: A Journey into the Unknown

Into the Woods Magic There is an air of enchantment that hangs heavy in the woods. It is a place where the veil between reality and fantasy is thin, where ordinary trees can become doorways to other realms, and where the ordinary rules of the world seem to bend and twist. It is in the woods that magic comes alive. The woods are a place of mystery and danger, where one must tread carefully and be mindful of their surroundings. But for those who are brave enough to venture into the depths of the forest, there is a world waiting to be discovered. It is a world of whimsy and wonder, of talking animals and fantastical creatures.

The Baker (Sebastian Arcelus) and the Baker’s Wife (Stephanie J. Block) desperately want to have a baby, but a Witch (Montego Glover) has put a curse on them. To reverse the curse, the Witch tells the couple, they must go into the woods and find a cow “as white as milk,” a cape “as red as blood,” hair “as yellow as corn,” and a slipper “as pure as gold.”

To reverse the curse, the Witch tells the couple, they must go into the woods and find a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn, and a slipper as pure as gold. It s Tyler Micoleau s lighting design that truly lends the production a fairy-tale magic, the enormous full moon and back wall constantly shifting colors to reflect the passage of time as we move from the oranges of sunset to the inky purples of midnight.

It is a world of whimsy and wonder, of talking animals and fantastical creatures. In the woods, anything is possible. It is a place where dreams can come true and where the ordinary can become extraordinary.

‘Into the Woods’ works its magic in a fairy tale with no happily ever after

Before a single word had been spoken or sung at Tuesday night’s performance of “Into the Woods,” a burst of fervent applause rained down upon the cast, who were arrayed across the stage at the Emerson Colonial Theatre, looking out at the packed house.

That audience reaction served as a reminder of the special place this 1987 musical occupies in the hearts of many theatergoers because “Into the Woods” — not, say, “Sweeney Todd,” not even “West Side Story” or “Gypsy” — was their introduction to Stephen Sondheim.

The captivating production at the Colonial, directed by Lear deBessonet, is proof positive that many riches are still to be found in those woods. They remain, to borrow from Robert Frost, “lovely, dark and deep."

That’s not a bad description of Sondheim’s score, actually. But “Into the Woods” encompasses a wide tonal and emotional range, from humor to heartache, in deBessonet’s spare, concert-style production, with the orchestra seated upstage at the Colonial amid a forest of birch trees.

There have been countless high school or regional theater productions of “Into the Woods," not to mention the starry 2014 film version, but its peculiar brand of magic is undimmed.

Sondheim’s songs, which contain some of his deftest wordplay and most piercing insights, elevate and compensate for the somewhat choppy book by James Lapine, who was also Sondheim’s collaborator on “Sunday in the Park with George" (1984).

“Into the Woods” entwines characters from classic fairy tales with newly invented ones. Pretty much everyone is yearning for or searching for something. Ah, but how to resolve the dilemma that can arise when you get what you think you want?

And, not so incidentally, what are they going to do about that rampaging giant who’s flattening everything and everyone in sight?

Act One of “Into the Woods” is frequently funny. Then in Act Two the shadows — Sondheim’s comfort zone — start to fall across those woods in earnest. The body count piles up, and by the end virtually every character left onstage has lost a loved one. Relationships are complex and friction-filled in “Into the Woods”: of husband and wife, of parent and child, of royalty and commoner.

From left: Stephanie J. Block as the Baker's Wife, Sebastian Arcelus as the Baker, and Katy Geraghty as Little Red Ridinghood in "Into the Woods." Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

The Baker (Sebastian Arcelus) and the Baker’s Wife (Stephanie J. Block) desperately want to have a baby, but a Witch (Montego Glover) has put a curse on them. To reverse the curse, the Witch tells the couple, they must go into the woods and find a cow “as white as milk,” a cape “as red as blood,” hair “as yellow as corn,” and a slipper “as pure as gold.”

So off the couple goes on that bizarre shopping expedition. The woods turn out to be pretty crowded.

Nearly all of the actors in the touring production that has arrived at the Colonial had performed at some point in “Into the Woods” on Broadway. Perhaps that helps explain why it’s such a well-oiled machine, though there’s nothing mechanical about the performances.

That Broadway-to-Boston roster includes Glover, Arcelus, and Block. (Block and Arcelus will not perform March 28-April 2. For those performances, the roles of the Baker and the Baker’s Wife will be played by Jason Forbach and Ximone Rose.)

Glover is mesmerizing in her ominous Act Two solo, “Last Midnight.” The Witch’s daughter, Rapunzel (Alysia Velez), wants her freedom — not unreasonably after all that time cooped up in the tower — but Glover still cracks the heart in “Witch’s Lament” when she sings: “Children can only grow/ From something you love/ To something you lose.”

Also on board from Broadway are a gleefully hammy Gavin Creel as Cinderella’s foppish Prince and as the sinister Wolf; Katy Geraghty, who is flat-out hilarious as an imperious and fearless Little Red Ridinghood; and Diane Phelan as Cinderella, who entrances Creel’s Prince but, in “On the Steps of the Palace,” gives voice to the ambivalence that runs through “Into the Woods” (”I know what my decision is/ Which is not to decide”).

Then there’s David Patrick Kelly as the Narrator and a Mysterious Man whose identity is no mystery at all; Cole Thompson as young, ingenuous Jack, utterly devoted to his cow, Milky White, the most soulfully expressive puppet I’ve ever seen; Kennedy Kanagawa, the exceptionally skillful puppeteer who manipulates Milky White; and Aymee Garcia as Jack’s Mother, who tells her son they must sell the cow, asserting, in one of my favorite Sondheim rhymes: “We’ve no time to sit and dither/ While her withers wither with her.”

There’s been a stampede of Sondheim revivals since the nonpareil composer-lyricist died in November 2021 at age 91. A new Broadway staging of “Sweeney Todd,” starring Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford, began previews last month. Later this year Broadway will be home to a production of “Merrily We Roll Along” starring Daniel Radcliffe of “Harry Potter” fame. In addition, it was recently reported that “Here We Are,” Sondheim’s long-gestating musical inspired by the Luis Buñuel films “The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie” and “The Exterminating Angel,” will be presented off-Broadway in September.

But until then, this “Into the Woods” will do nicely.

INTO THE WOODS

Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Book by James Lapine. Directed by Lear deBessonet. At Emerson Colonial Theatre. Through April 2. $39-$249. 888-616-0272, www.EmersonColonialTheatre.com

Don Aucoin can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @GlobeAucoin.

It is a place for those who long to escape the confines of reality and explore the realms of their imagination. But the woods can be a treacherous place as well. It is a place where darkness lurks and where evil can take many forms. It is a place where one can easily become lost and where danger lies around every corner. It is a place where one must be careful not to fall prey to the tricks and traps that are set by the forces of darkness. Yet despite the dangers, there is a certain allure to the woods. It is a place where one can find solace and peace, where the worries and cares of the outside world can melt away. It is a place where one can connect with nature and with the magic that lies within. The magic of the woods is not just a fairy tale. It is a real and tangible force that can be felt by those who are open to it. It is a force that can bring about transformation and change, that can heal and rejuvenate. It is a force that can remind us of the beauty and wonder of the world, and of the power that lies within each and every one of us. So let us venture into the woods, if only for a moment, and allow ourselves to be transported to another world. Let us embrace the magic that lies within and allow it to awaken our senses. Let us be open to the possibility that anything is possible and that miracles can happen. For in the woods, there is magic. And it is up to us to discover it..

Reviews for "The Intricate World of Into the Woods Magic: A Closer Look"

1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to watching "Into the Woods Magic" as I'm a fan of fantasy movies. However, I was thoroughly disappointed. The storyline felt rushed and poorly developed, and the characters lacked depth. Additionally, the magic elements in the film were underwhelming and lacked the wow-factor I was expecting. Overall, "Into the Woods Magic" failed to captivate me and left me feeling unsatisfied.

2. Daniel - 1 star - "Into the Woods Magic" was a complete letdown. The plot was confusing and hard to follow, jumping from one scene to another without proper explanations. The acting was subpar, with some of the characters delivering their lines in a very monotone manner. The supposed magical elements in the movie felt forced and out of place. I found myself constantly checking the time, waiting for the film to be over. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one.

3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "Into the Woods Magic" based on the trailers, but unfortunately, it fell short. The pacing was off, with the first half of the film dragging on and the second half feeling rushed. The musical numbers were lackluster and forgettable, failing to leave a lasting impression. Moreover, the film tried to incorporate too many fairy tales into one, resulting in a convoluted storyline. Overall, "Into the Woods Magic" failed to deliver the enchantment and excitement it promised.

4. Mark - 2 stars - Despite the intriguing premise, "Into the Woods Magic" failed to capture my interest. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked any real development. The visuals were lackluster, with the magical elements feeling cheap and poorly executed. The pacing was all over the place, making it hard to stay engaged in the story. Overall, I was left feeling unimpressed and wishing I had chosen a different fantasy film to watch.

Harnessing the Magic of Into the Woods: Real or Fiction?