OGDEN — Math and I do not get along, but if I did my calculations correctly attending Broadway on the Side’s Into the Woods marks UTBA’s 21st time reviewing a production of the show and my sixth personal endeavor. What makes this show with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Lapine such a classic and how did Ogden’s new kid on the block of musical theatre add to the roster of interpretations?
Directed and choreographed by Megan Worthen Nelson, the daunting task of taking on Into the Woods was one that I confess I had some trepidation about for the small company. Housed in what I think was once a Blockbuster video shop (honestly, no shade here, I love that we are making performing arts spaces wherever we can) how could BOTS turn their makeshift stage area into a fairytale magical forest? Nelson is also credited with set design, and I was impressed with how she had leaves hanging from the industrial rafters, arches of branches, and string lighting to give the feeling of transformation even before the show began. The costumes, by Abby Payne-Peterson, were overall delightful, with special shoutouts to Cinderella’s ball dress, the stepmother, and the stepsisters for their elegance. I also really liked the Witch’s initial costume, though felt that her transformation dress felt a little off theme.
One of my favorite things about attending community productions is discovering massive talent in unexpected places. We have had recent conversations behind the scenes about if it is even beneficial to do criticism for community theatre. The person playing the Baker, Andrew Stone, who was charming with a sweet and calming voice that one would expect of someone who is baking bread all day, may not be a professional actor and some may feel he does not deserve such scrutiny. It is precisely this that keeps me coming to the doors of our community shows, to be surprised and blown away by people like him and like Lauralye Anderson playing Cinderella. During one of the most complicated ballads of the evening, Steps of the Palace, her ability to do the famous Sondheim patter, stay on pitch, and reach those beautiful notes required of the song was fantastic. Right along side her was Kalan Stromberg as the Baker’s Wife, who gets to sing one of my personal favorites, Moments in the Woods. Stromberg takes a moment in the show that is full of intrigue, anger, fear, frustration, and curiosity and plays it to such strength that not only does her beautiful voice shine through, but her ability to show a character that has been developing throughout the production is so impressive that it is hard to believe that the cost of this ticket is roughly the same as what I would be paying to see a movie at the local cinema…