Any tenor/barritone would consider the pivotal role of the Baker in Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods a dream role. And that’s just what it is for actor Durron Marquis Tyre-Gholson, who is excited to tackle the character in Richmond Shakespeare’s production, running March 7 through 24 at The Steward School’s Cramer Center for the Arts.
“It’s such a beautiful story and it has great music. It’s written in a childlike way, but there are many adult themes. It’s really relatable. Baker is one of the sweetest guys. He has a lot of humanity in him,” Tyre-Gholson says.
The Baker is a doting husband, caring “fun and very protective,” Tyre-Gholson says. “He and his wife find they need each other, which makes the relationship stronger.”
Into the Woods features everyone’s favorite storybook characters as well as a Tony Award-winning score that touches the heart. The story follows a Baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King’s Festival and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn they cannot have a child because of a Witch’s curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone’s wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results.
Tyre-Gholson relates to the Baker is several ways, including the Baker’s urge to do everything by himself. “It’s nice to know you do have support and people behind you,” he says.
Like the Baker, Tyre-Gholson didn’t know his biological father. “I identify with the reality of that situation. This play had me thinking about what the interaction with my biological dad would be,” if they met like the Baker does in the play, says Tyre-Gholson.
Determined is how Maggie Marlin describes her character of the Baker’s wife.
“She leads the way. She is funny. She is not ashamed to do what it takes to get a baby. She’s also very hung up on royalty. She loves the idea of the prince. She gets swept up in the love of the prince and then gets swept off her feet. But, she learns how to be thankful for what she has,” says Marlin.
Sondheim allows his characters to be raw and human. “We live in this messy world. We are all flawed. We are all trying to do our best,” Marlin says, adding the show warns to be careful of what you want. “We have to put ourselves in other people’s shoes. Maybe life is not good or bad but all that space in-between.”
Like Tyre-Gholson, Marlin relates to her character on different levels. She connects with wanting and struggling for certain things and the actions that need to take place to achieve those wants.
“It takes an event to refocus and rekindle your passion. I can connect,” she says.
A huge Sondheim fan, Marlin loves all of the layers in the show. “Sondheim is similar to Shakespeare. There’s no subtext. All of these intrusive thoughts are said out loud,” she says. “In any Sondheim work, everything is out on the table.”
The show asks the audience to think about and question the ideas they have had “and ask is that all there is,” she adds. “It doesn’t want us to get stuck in challenges. Not to be siloed in our own space, but to connect to people and ask what do you feel about this.”
There can be duality in life. Moments, thoughts, perceptions can be at odds with each other but both can be true. “Grownups don’t have all the answers. I am learning too,” she says.
Into the Woods Plays at Steward School’s Cramer Center, March 7 through 24
Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods is “thought-provoking, exhilarating, and powerful to experience,” says managing director and director and choreographer of the show Jase Smith Sullivan. “We are thrilled to celebrate his legacy with our company’s first major musical.”
Into the Woods from Richmond Shakespeare
Cramer Center for the Arts, The Steward School
March 7 through 24, 2024
“Be careful what you wish for!” The Brothers Grimm hit the stage with an epic fairytale about wishes, family, and the choices we make. James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim take everyone’s favorite storybook characters and bring them together for a timeless, yet relevant, piece – and a rare modern classic. The Tony Award-winning book and score are both enchanting and touching. The story follows a baker and his wife, Cinderella, and Jack. When the baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch’s curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone’s wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results.
For showtimes and tickets, visit richmondshakespeare.org.
