-Brenda Hillegas
photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade
This might just be the most special event of the season at the Kimmel Cultural Campus. Into the Woods, Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece fairy tale, is on tour for a limited run of just ten cities. Philadelphia is one of them. Do not miss the opportunity to see this show (whether it’s your first time or your 10th). Bring your family, your friends, bring anyone who needs to fall in love with a classical Broadway musical.
Into the Woods is here, at the Miller Theatre, through Sunday only.
The revival sold out on Broadway last year and many of the cast members are remaining on the journey through the US. Theatre royalty fills the stage with Montego Glover as The Witch, Stephanie J. Block as The Baker’s Wife, Sebastian Arcelus as The Baker (and also Block’s real-life husband), and Gavin Creel as Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf. The company also includes so many other amazing performers coming straight from the Broadway production – Cole Thompson as Jack, Katy Geraghty as Little Red Ridinghood, Diane Phelan as Cinderella, David Patrick Kelly as The Narrator, and Kennedy Kanagawa as Milky White to name a few. Each song and each scene is better than the last (but obviously Milky White is the best). The amount of talent on stage, in one place, telling this story is astounding. You will not see anything like this ever again.
Have you ever read a story to a child using different voices for every character? Have you imagined those characters jumping off the page to bring each scene to life? That’s Into the Woods. This cast highlights the dialog and roles so well, making sure every single person and story represented on stage stands out. They are so memorable, witty, fun- you may see more versions of this show in the future, but never quite like this.
Into the Woods‘ beautiful songs are written by Sondheim and tie together an epic tale by James Lapine. This version, directed by Lear deBessonet, will have you wiping tears with gorgeous songs like “No More”, “Children Will Listen” and “No One Is Alone”, and laughing at “Agony” and “Any Moment”. The entire orchestra is on stage with the cast. You’ll be humming the songs for days (and maybe even purchase the GRAMMY winning cast recording from this revival). The set, the story, the characters- Into the Woods will remind you why theatre is so important and why it’s a space unlike anywhere else. It’s been a tough few years- if you’ve ever doubted magic, if you’ve ever felt alone…come to Into the Woods.
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