Happily Ever After...At Least for the Audience

Have you ever wondered what happened in your favorite bedtime stories after the "happily ever after"? Sometimes fairy tale endings aren't as wonderful as they seem...and there may be more to the plot than you thought. UA's production of Into the Woods adds some surprising and hilarious twists to the fairy tales you thought you knew and leaves the audience with the feeling that, although the stories aren't neat and perfect, there is hope for a happy ending.
Several classic Grimm's Tales overlap in this musical comedy, including "Jack and the Beanstalk," "Cinderella," "Repunzel," and "Little Red Riding Hood." The characters are dynamic and full of life--hardly the fairy tale characters we're used to. Each has a wish, and each strives to have his wish granted, causing a series of unexpected and often very funny events that leads the audience to believe that maybe wishes fulfilled aren't all they're cracked up to be.
This production truly has value as a comedy. The collisions of the characters as they bumble their way through their stories make for some very funny episodes of misunderstanding, conflict, and cooperation. The endeavors of two shallow princes to win their lady of choice, the unexpected sass of a little girl in a red cape as she encounters a wolf, and the arguments between a baker and his wife put the audience in convulsions of laughter. A lighter mood helps take some of the gravity off of the heavier themes of disappointment and disillusionment, and add a humorous element to the lessons the characters learn along their paths through the woods.
The music of this production is spectacular, truly enhancing both the comedic and the serious moments of the show. The musical numbers give the show a professional and well-rehearsed feel. The constant interweaving of music into the plot is natural without being overbearing, and doesn't draw the production out too long or detract from the story. Instead, music gives the show a more whimsical quality. The funny lyrics create some of the most hilarious moments of the production. The actors have stupendous voices, and their acting leaves nothing to be desired. They seem to enjoy their roles, and that helps to bring the audience with them into...well, the woods, where magic is real and singing your heart out is an acceptable form of self-expression.
The scenery, too, helped to create the illusion of place, and the constant shifts of scenic elements left me feeling as if I was lost in the woods myself, drawing me into the aura of the fairy tale. The costumes are entirely appropriate for this production--slightly surreal, magical, and altogether enchanting.
Into the Woods is engaging and simple, its meanings clear. Even though the characters' stories don't quite go exactly as they planned, the production is definitely a happy ending for the audience. It made us laugh, and leaves us with the desire to go Into the Woods.