Richmond Shakespeare’s Into the Woods, playing at The Steward School’s Cramer Center for the Arts through March 24, is so packed with talent that it’s nearly impossible to isolate the most impressive performances.
The iconic fairy-tale musical with songs by Stephen Sondheim is a mashup of beloved storybook characters and the tales of the Brothers Grimm. You may have seen the 2014 movie of the same name, featuring Meryl Streep and James Cordon, just to name a few of its stars. If so, do not let that influence your decision to see the stage production, which is better because it’s truer to Sondheim’s original concept. If you are a fan of the movie, you will appreciate this show all the more.
With its over-arching theme of “Be careful what you wish for,” the first act introduces the Bakers, a couple who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King‘s Festival; Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk; and Little Red Riding Hood who is going – where else?– into the woods to deliver a bread basket to her grandmother.
At the close of the first act, everyone’s wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results. At the start of the second act, the narrator states matter-of-factly: “Once upon a time … later.”
And then the sardonic fun begins as a giant and giantess wreak havoc on the village, the wood, all the characters we met in the first act, plus others. Simultaneously figuring out the difference between being nice and being good and that the notion of happily ever after is a crock, the characters unite, turn on each other, and unite again in boisterous and rollicking fashion.
Special Shout-Outs in a Talent-Packed Cast
If you skipped to this part to see the performers I’m shouting out, let’s do this:
Gracie Berneche’s debut with Richmond Shakespeare as Little Red is a memorable one. A senior at VCUarts, Gracie will graduate with a BFA in musical theatre performance in May. Most recently, Gracie was seen as Tracy Turnblad in Homefront Players production of Hairspray and Hestia in Virginia Rep’s production of Gold: the Midas Musical. Gracie brings a youthful exuberance combined with a take-no-crap attitude to her role. She has the acting and vocal chops of a stage veteran.
Maggie Marlin (The Baker’s Wife) is an actor, director/choreographer, and coordinates musical Theatre at Illinois State University. The chemistry between her and The Baker, Durron Marquis Tyre-Gholson, is impeccable. Durron was last seen starring on stage at the Firehouse Theatre in Yes And Theatrical Co.’s production of The Light by Loy A. Webb. A graduate of the University of Richmond, Durron’s favorites roles include Dr. Frank N. Furter in Rocky Horror Show (Richmond Triangle Players) Henry in Sugar in Our Wounds by Donja R. Love (Richmond Triangle Players) which won the RTCC Award for Best Play (2022). You can read more about Maggie and Durron in this article by Joan Tupponce.
Grey Garrett (who played Cinderella) was last seen as Carole King in BEAUTIFUL: The Carole King Musical, (RTCC Award winner/VA Rep). Grey, whose vocal talent is unmatched in regional theatre, personified the dignified humility of this princess-with-a-twist role. Her performance of “On the Steps of the Palace” was a show stopper.
Terence Sullivan – The Wolf and Cinderella’s Prince – expertly performs one of the show’s most memorable songs, “Agony.” In both roles, he checked all the boxes for acting and singing. Terence’s repertoire spans local and regional productions, portraying characters such as Chris in Miss Saigon, Burrs in Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party, Roger in RENT, and Frank N Furter in Rocky Horror Show, for which he was honored with an RTCC Best Actor Award.
At roughly two hours and forty-five minutes (including intermission), Into the Woods is a sprawling musical adventure for ages twelve and up. With highly entertaining songs and tons of characters you know, you can give yourself a bit of grace if you lose track of a thread here or there. Rest assured, the perfectly executed score from a live orchestra and the pitch-perfect delivery of Sondheim’s notoriously challenging songs will entertain you every step of the way,
Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods from Richmond Shakespeare is playing at The Steward School’s Cramer Center for the Arts through March 24. Visit RichmondShakepeare.com for showtimes and tickets.
