Into The Woods

Into The Woods
Candlelight Dinner Playhouse
Johnstown, CO
May 19  - July 10, 2016

Into the Woods is seen by many as a fairy tale show. In a way, it is. But it takes more inspiration from the Grimm Brothers than Disney. Taking so many beloved characters and keeping them likable is a challenge.

This production chose to focus on the humor throughout the script – especially in the very dark second act. It proved to be an effective way to keep the show moving and not get dragged down by the tragic storyline. The Prince and his Steward were particularly funny in their antics.

Each song was performed with great skill, but you won’t likely leave the theater humming the music. With the exception of “Children Will Listen,” the songs are more plot devices than showstoppers.

The show goes through many location changes and, as usual, the Candlelight created interesting set pieces that easily move on and off stage. Even the woods background created interesting levels for the actors to play on.

The cast of the show was very talented, breathing new life into the fairy tale characters we already know. Red Riding Hood was sassier than her stories, Cinderella was resourceful and Jack an aimless dreamer. But they all work in this world.

We had plenty of heroes and villains here, but everything is not just black and white. Here even the most well-intentioned actions produced disastrous results – as we learn in the song “It’s Your Fault.”

All the pieces came together to make the show work. It is difficult material, but in the hands of the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, it shone.