INTO THE WOODS ACCOMPANIED BY TWO PIANOS?
IN A STOREFRONT THEATRE?
IT’S A DREAM COME TRUE
Kokandy’s production of Into the Woods directed by Derek Van Barham with music direction by Nick Sula is a clever reimagining of this Stephen Sondheim/James Lapine classic for a storefront theatre space. Most notably, this production reimagines the orchestrations for two grand pianos dropped right in the middle of the playing space. Piano players Ariana Miles and Evelyn Ryan we’re as much a part of the storytelling as any of the actors, reacting to the story unfolding around them, all while never missing a beat.
Evelyn Ryan (piano), Kevin Webb, Sonia Goldberg and Stephanie Stockstill
(center) Kevin Webb, Anna Seibert, (back) August Forman, Emily Goldberg,
Ariana Miles (piano), Evelyn Ryan (piano) and Stephanie Stockstill
Shea Hopkins, Madison Kauffman and Emily Goldberg
Into the Woods is so beloved amongst theatregoers that I doubt you need a synopsis from me, but for the lucky newcomers who still have your first experience of Into the Woods ahead of you, here’s what you can expect (without any spoilers). Into the Woods weaves together beloved fairytale characters — from princesses to little girls in red hoods — into a musical tapestry that begins, as fairytales often do, with a narrator and “Once upon a time…” The narrator (August Forman) introduces us to a Baker (Kevin Webb) and his wife (Sonia Goldberg), who desperately wish to start a family but learn they are cursed by a witch (Stephanie Stockstill) and must complete a peculiar quest involving items from various fairy tales to have the curse reversed. Their journey intersects with familiar faces: Cinderella (Madison Kauffman) who wishes to attend a festival, Jack (Kevin Parra) who wishes for wealth for his family and to keep his beloved cow, Little Red Riding Hood (Anna Seibert) who wishes to visit her grandmother, and Rapunzel (Ismael Garcia) who wishes to leave her tower. But if their wishes all come true, what happens next?
Britain Gebhardt and Kevin Parra
Stephanie Stockstill and Ismael Garcia
Evelyn Ryan (piano), Jonathan Allsop and Shea Hopkins
You may be sensing a theme. Kokandy’s production seizes upon the themes of wishes and storytelling. Wishes are something to reach for, a light in the dark. Scenic and lighting designer G “Max” Maxin IV carries this theme literally, and beautifully, into the space by hanging dozens of incandescent lightbulbs from the ceiling. As characters sing about their wishes, they stretch a hand toward a bulb just out of reach. Maxin’s set also nods to the storytelling theme with armchairs and couches for audience seating, and copies of classic children’s literature peppered throughout. I can’t think of a cozier way to sit and watch Into the Woods.
(center) Stephanie Stockstill, (back) Ariana Miles (piano), Evelyn Ryan (piano) and Sonia Goldberg
(center) Britain Gebhardt, (back) Ariana Miles (piano),
Emily Goldberg, Kevin Webb and Evelyn Ryan (piano)
Emily Goldberg and Madison Kauffman
This extremely talented ensemble of actors uses every inch of this beautiful set, and very wisely. Forman leads the telling of this story with authority and whimsy, always in control — until not so much — and I was constantly excited to see where Forman took us next. Kevin Webb gives a very moving and well sung performance as the Baker. Shea Hopkins gives a snarling and laugh out loud funny performance as the Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince with a rich baritone that makes “Agony”, the princes duet, a delight. And Madison Kauffman is the best Cinderella I’ve seen (I should note I did not see Paramount’s recent production of Into the Woods, nor have I ever seen it on Broadway. Though, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Kauffman on a Broadway stage one day).
Sonia Goldberg and Kevin Webb
Ariana Miles (piano) and August Forman
Kevin Parra, Madison Kauffman, Anna Seibert,
Kevin Webb, Evelyn Ryan (piano) and Stephanie Stockstill
Into the Woods is a truly fantastic musical, but it’s very easy to get wrong. If a director can’t find the right balance between farce and tragedy, or if, God forbid, the pacing lags even just a little, it can make for a dreadful show. I am so pleased to report that Van Barham directed it masterfully, and the result is a stunning storefront Into the Woods that clips along at an exciting pace. It’s an Into the Woods you don’t want to miss. After all, you never know what’s waiting for you in those woods!
(center) Madison Kauffman, Shea Hopkins,
(back) Kevin Webb, Sonia Goldberg and Ariana Miles (piano)
Evelyn Ryan (piano), Shea Hopkins (center) and August Forman (floor)
(center) Kevin Webb, (back) Evelyn Ryan (piano), Sonia Goldberg,
Kevin Parra, Madison Kauffman and Britain Gebhardt
photos by Evan Hanover
Madison Kauffman and Sonia Goldberg
August Forman and Jonathan Allsop
Kevin Webb, Ariana Miles (piano), Emily Goldberg, Madison Kauffman, Anna Seibert
Into the Woods
Kokandy Productions
The Chopin Studio Theatre, 1543 W. Division St.
Thurs-Sat at 7; Sun at 5; Wed at 7 (Nov. 27); Mon at 7 (Dec. 9); dark Nov. 28
ends on December 22, 2024
for tickets ($15-$55), visit Kokandy
for more shows, visit Theatre in Chicago
August Forman, Sonia Goldberg and Kevin Webb
Shea Hopkins and Madison Kauffman with
(back) Ariana Miles (piano), Ismael Garcia and Britain Gebhardt