Dreams Come True on Journey "Into the Woods"

Once upon a time, well, actually a Tuesday evening in April, a talented troupe of students performed Stephen Sondheim's celebrated musical Into The Woods at the Gallaway Theatre on the University of Alabama campus. Join them, if you dare, on their musical journal into the dark forest where make-believe and reality collide.

With superb music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, this show is sure to bring a smile to your face and a song to your heart. James Lapine's book-turned-musical explores the lives of our favorite characters including Cinderella, Rapunzel, the Baker and his wife, and Jack (of beanstalk fame). The daily happenings of these fairy tale friends intermingle with hilarious interactions and touching dialogue that is a joy to the audience.

The Baker, played by Blake McCorvey, and his wife, played by Sadie Magadanz, enter the mysterious woods to secure four objects required to break the curse put on his, sorry, their home by a witch, played by Dianna Duffy. The Baker and his wife are desperate for a child to call their own and will stop at nothing to obtain the items needed to lift the curse. McCorvey performs the music flawlessly with beautiful timbre and sincerity and Magadanz also does a great job conveying the relationship between husband and wife. Duffy plays the part of the witch with enthusiasm, though she seemed to lose some of her fervor in the second half.

Without a doubt, some of the most impressive musical performances are by Katie Burton as Cinderella and Kelly Ann Shamburger as Rapunzel. Burton's clear, perfectly pitched tone is faultless at all times and Shamburger's lilting melodies sung from offstage are absolutely gorgeous. Both of these ladies also conveyed the personalities of their character with ease. Stephanie Marie Mosley once again showcases her immense talent with a stunning performance as Little Red Riding Hood who is en route to visit her grandmother, of course, through the woods. Mosley brings such life to a familiar character that destroys all your past preconceptions about Little Red and ensures hilarity.

What fairy tale would be complete without a prince? Make that two princes, brothers actually, both pursuing the girl of their dreams. David Cordell plays Cinderella's prince majestically and interacts well with Rapunzel's prince played by Jeff Ingram. Along with Jack, played by Jake Boyd and his trusty cow and audience pleaser Milky White (Sarah Ondocsin), this all-star cast features some of the finest talent in residence here at UA.

The set design by Andy Fitch and Rick Miller is just phenomenal. Utilizing "Wood Sprites" to maneuver just a few pieces of convertible scenery, the action is fast paced and doesn't slow down the storyline or interrupt the show. The rearranging of the set becomes part of the show and helps create the feeling of uncertainty and variability that might occur should one find themselves lost on a journey "into the woods."

The last theatrical performance at UA this semester is sure to be a delight to all audience members. You'll leave the theater with a new found appreciation for "happily ever after" and the knowledge that "happy" is what you make it. Come learn that the destination is not half as important as the journey, as you travel "Into the Woods."

Do you dare venture Into the Woods?

On Tuesday night at the Gallaway theater, we in the audience were haunted by two simple lines of dialogue as we learned the dangers of going Into the Woods:

"Everything will work out fine in the end!"
"Not always."

Stephen Sondheim's haunting and unconventional melodies and lyrics combine with a book both witty and thought-provoking in this fairytale gone askew. In the first half of the show, familiar characters such as Jack (of the proverbial beanstalk), Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Little Red Riding Hood are encountered by a childless baker and his wife on their quest to gather items for a wicked witch in order to have their curse lifted. As these fairytale characters go through the motions of their respective stories, they repeatedly encounter each other with often hilarious results. However, when the lights go up on Act II, there is unrest in Happily Ever After, and the characters embark on a both moral and physical journey, fighting for their peace of mind and their lives.

The writing, both of music and book, is superb. Lyrics are clever, sometime punning, other times putting a twist on a familiar tale. The characters are humanized when they begin to sing, transforming from the flat storybook-types one would expect into men and women who are a little excited and scared, who sometimes want more even after "happily ever after," who question what they wished for and what they've done with their lives so far. After a point the book and lyrics become more unified as the tone of the play darkens, and overall the two components--music and dialogue--fit together nicely. True, someone who has never heard or seen Sondheim might not immediately take to the way he chooses to juxtapose vocal and instrumental melodies, but I believe that anyone will ultimately warm up to it because it is so appropriate to the context of the play.

Director Seth Panitch and choreographer Rita Snyder mean business; the actors utilize the stage in effective and sometimes surprising ways. The wood sprites, whether dancing about or moving scenery, remain in character and seem a natural (pardon the pun) part of the mysterious woods. When the cast sing, they are lively and active; and when they speak, they never stay in one place for long. The pace is appropriately balanced, speeding through witty banter and joking and putting on the brakes now and then for serious, contemplative songs and dialogue. And certainly every part is well-cast; the actors take on their roles wholeheartedly, presenting favorite old storybook characters just as one might expect them to be--and then some. If ever the witch seems over-the-top, if ever Rapunzel seems far too sweet, if ever the Narrator seems stereotypical and far too enthusiastic, it is the nature of the character, wholly appropriate to the humor and even satire of the story. To praise the production further, the characters' costumes are vibrant and well-suited to each of them, from the highly amusing getup donned by Milky White, Jack's cow, to the standard royal finery of the princes and Cinderella. The set is an important element in the storytelling and, again, the characters play off of their surroundings well.

Into the Woods is not a cut-and-dried fairytale; there is a balance between reality and happily ever after even in this imaginary world. And one cannot help being absolutely sucked in to the tale: as the baker, holding his new son, wracked by the inner turmoil of a moral dilemma and wondering what course of action he should take, was joined by his wife, who sang, "Sometimes people leave you halfway through the wood. Do not let it grieve you; no one leaves for good…" I was shocked to suddenly feel big fat tears welling up in the corners of my eyes.

In the end, the choice is yours--you will laugh; you will think; you might even cry; but you'll never know unless you make the long, dark journey yourself--Into the Woods.

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.

Oddly Funny and Entertaining, Hummm...

No need to "call Dr. Pepper," that's just you side spliting from laughing so hard. I'm not really sure if it's the lost in transition Spanish speaking brothers trying to figure out if it is "nougat or no good," the bitch fit over a terribly burned duck, or the constant arguing between Olive and Florance (where Florance told Olive off). Whatever it was, it oddly worked perfectly and was completely entertaining!

The Odd Couple (the female version) opened April 15, at the Allen Bales Theatre to an almost packed house of theater goers. Yet, the play wasn't short of its share of regular comedic antics and cruda jokes. For instance when Florance Unger (Jessie Towey) was confiding in brothers from Spain Manolo "Mannie" (Lawson Hangartner) and Jesus "Jess (pronounced haze)" Contavuela, they told her "to get it up, we all do!" But, the play offered more. It dealt with an issue that we as college students or adults face; the incompatibiliy of roommates!

The play centers around free spirited, happy go lucky Olive Madison (Kristi Wiley) a journalist, who opens her home to friend Florence Unger a recently divorced, domesticated, neat freak, house wife; that's where the distress begins. Everything the roomies do irked the other. Like the fact that Olive is a slob or Florence's allergy induced hawking (sorry about that roomy), it's one thing after another; what was these ladies thinking? Why didn't they just kill each other? Like any well rounded group of friends there were those interceptors, in this play that ensemble inculded: Vera (Denee' Miller), Renee (Deletha Edwards), Mickey (Alice Aycock), and Sylvie (Regan Stevens). This is not by any means an episode of sex and the city. Follow the colorful group and see a little bit of yourself as well; as the talented cast demonstrate how you can love a friend but can't live with them.

The original version of this play opened on Broadway in 1985. UA's production director Kenmicheal Stafford did a wonderful job of bringing the play up to date, making it even more relatable. Scenic Designer Tracey Gamble, created a neat New York style apartment that is sure to make you feel like you are at home waching your TV, and not sitting in a theatre looking at a play.

So come out and bring your roommate, sit back relax and watch someone else battle out your problems. The Odd Couple (female version) is sure to leave you either loving or hating your roommate more, but at least you'll do it laughing until your sides hurt! and maybe you can find "what's the strongest muscle on a man...before and after..."

The Odd Couple Offers a Refreshing Look at Theatre

The UA Department of Theatre and Dance performed Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple on Tuesday, April 15, at the Allen Bales Theatre on campus. It was an extremely well done show and very funny. The cast members put their heart into the performance and did an excellent job of capturing the oddly paired roommates and friends.

The best job of all was definitely done by Jessie Towey who played Florence Unger, she became her character to the point where even her appearance took on a look of meticulous cleanness. She made the show come alive with her vitality and effort. Also, Kristi Wiley, who played Olive Madison, did a great job of being completely comfortable in her own skin as she paraded around in her dirty apartment getting in on all the jokes and fun. The whole cast made the show a very light-hearted affair that kept the audience laughing and on their toes until the end.

The details of production were very well done too. The play took place in Allen Bales theatre which is a round stage and there was one set for the entire production. However, it was so well set-up that the audience could imagine the comfortableness of the apartment and sense all the actions happening within.

The show was one of the best I have seen performed at the University this semester and was a great chance to get a good laugh with friends. Anyone who has not seen this show really should make their way to a theatre the first chance they get!

Personalities collide in female Odd Couple

Sometimes, two things just can't go together. Or, when forced together, they are so different that they create conflict of near-epic proportions. The Odd Couple, which opened Tuesday night at Allen Bales theatre, is the chronicle of one such incident. It is the story of a group of friends, all of whom have their share of problems. One of the girls' problem is loneliness; another just separated from her husband. Simple solution, right? They decide to room together, thinking their problems are solved; however, as when any two distinctly different personalities collide, conflict soon ensues.

The play, while cleverly written by the playwright Neil Simon, seems to stall somewhere in the middle and the end just drags painfully to a too-abrubt conclusion. The first half of the play is entertaining and goes quickly; however, after intermission there seems to be no apparent action and the audience is left waiting for something to happen. The play ends with the audience still waiting - waiting and wondering if it really is over.

The play does have its redeeming points. The dialogue is cleverly written, and the characters well put-together. Neil Simon does a good job of treating serious matters with the right touch of levity. This allows the audience to experience the pain of Olive's loneliness and of the break-up of Flo's marriage while not dragging their emotions through the mud as well. They can be touched while keeping their hearts completely intact. The audience feels bad for the characters while laughing with and at them. The truly tense moments, such as Flo's and Olive's confrontation towards the end, are interspersed with comedy to lighten the mood. While the play deals with very solemn issues, it leaves the audience as lighthearted when they leave as when they came in.

Despite the flaws with the script itself, the actors did an excellent job. They made a scriptally tedious second half enjoyable. Sylvie had a pretty authentic-sounding New York accent that was not difficult to understand, and only once did the audience catch Olive getting a little too southern ("why don't y'all just have a seat"). Florence was great at being annoyingly needy and melodramatic without being too irritating. Vera was believably absent-minded and Micky wonderfully sarcastic. The actors saved what would otherwise be a tedious play after the intermission.

The set, too, was apropos and set the mood for the play. The mis-matched furniture visually depicted the mixed personalities within the group of friends, and each person's costume reflected her personality well. Vera wore cute little dresses; Micky jeans and a t-shirt that said NYPD, Olive fun and colorful combinations, and Florence very conservative outfits. The audience got an exact impression of each character's personality just by looking at what she wore. The music was uplifting and catchy. Many walked out of the theatre whistling or humming something that was played.

Although the plot of the play was not the most riveting, the acting, the set, and the costumes more than made up for the problems with the script. The good, entertaining acting did indeed conflict with the more tedious script, but, in this case, unlike Flo and Olive's disastrous clash, the result was a show worth seeing despite its flaws. In the words of Olive, I suggest that you go see The Odd Couple "actually, physically, and immediately."

Now Now, Big Girls Don't CRY

Yes yes, it's true: tears were flowing heavily at the Allen Bales Theatre for The Odd Couple's opening night, this past Tuesday, but not the kind of tears you're thinking of. Bursts of laughter, I'm sure, could be heard from outside the theatre as leads, Olive and Florence's provocative humor demanded attention; knee-slapping attention, that is. With witty Trivial Pursuit hilarity, two zany Spaniards, six eccentric and quirky women, and some actual heart-tugging themes throughout, The Odd Couple is not one you should skip out on this semester.
When poor, helpless Florence "Flo" Unger (Jessie Towey), gets divorced from her husband and threatens to kill herself, she's got nowhere to go except for her dear friend, Olive Madison's (Kristi Wiley) apartment. Between an avid game of Trivial Pursuit and the latest gossip, the rest of the gang; Sylvie, Micky, Renee, and Vera attempt to ease her frustration with some pretty funny suggestions. It's decided that uptight, obsessive compulsive, neat-freak Flo will move in with sloppy, lazy, go-with-the-flow Olive so that she'll have a place to stay. As time passes, the two are at each other's throats, and Olive soon realizes she can no longer have her especially messy apartment "messed up" by Flo who basically follows her with a feather duster. Though, by chance the two get thrown into dinner plans with the especially good-looking Spanish brothers down the hall and learn a little more about the other's point of view. Enough is enough, though, and Olive kicks poor Flo out; But it turns out to be a good thing! The two end up learning what self-respect looks like through each other's flaws.
As far as the set went, I wasn't impressed. Though quite functional, it seemed to be mismatched, and it clashed with the various characters' costumes. Couches, tables, and wall hangings just didn't look right. I have to give it to scenic designer Tracey Gamble for constructing a practical layout that was serviceable to the audience from all sides.
And acting! Did I forget acting?! Well, before I move to the leading characters, I have to give it up to Regan Stevens, a freshman this year, who played the impatient Sylvie. Her flawless New York accent was all-too convincing while her facial expressions and subtle, furtive glances caught my eye every time she was on stage. Furthermore, leads Wiley and Towey provided the play with rivaling talent. Wiley threw herself about stage fearlessly, not missing a beat with every joke, scowl, and toss of the newspaper. Her talent was obvious, yet I wondered if she could play any other type of character; Her sarcasm and wittiness seemed almost inherent. Towey really showed off her ability, as well though it seemed a little less natural. She perfectly embodied the typical obsessive, "neat and tidy" wife role and did a fabulous job at driving everyone crazy.
The disappointments were minimal, the merriment in great supply. So, don't miss this one, ladies and gents. Its sure to give you some hearty chuckles and perhaps even some loud one, and you're definitely in for a truly important life lesson: Big girls don't cry.

"Odd Couple" Won't Disappoint

Laughs were not in short supply at the Allen Bales Theatre as Neil Simon's The Odd Couple (Female Version) opened Tuesday evening. Directed by Kenmichael Stafford, this comedy based on the relationship between two newly divorced best friends-turned-roommates promises a wonderful evening full of fun and surprises.

Recent divorcee Olive Madison (played by Kristi Wiley) persuades best friend Florence Unger (Jessie Towey) to move in with her after the breakup of Florence's fourteen year marriage. What seems like a brilliant idea for two friends turns into a disaster as Olive's slovenly ways and Florence's neat-freak obsessive cleaning clash for a comedy of epic proportions. Kristi Wiley is over-the-top funny as Olive and interacts beautifully with the talented Jessie Towey as Florence. Towey's perfect facial expressions that served her well in UA's The Government Inspector and subtle nuances lead us to believe that she really is the recently separated mother of two with a love for cooking and cleaning. Wiley expertly delivers witty lines and uses animated gestures that bring Olive to life. Together with friends Sylvie (Regan Stevens), Micky (Alice Aycock), Renee (Deletha Edwards), and the delightfully dimwitted Vera (Denee' Mills), Olive and Florence must learn to live with each other, for better or for worse.

Filled with clever dialogue and sharp one-liners (sometimes that go right over the audience's head), The Odd Couple races to an amusing climax complete with a date with handsome Spanish brothers. Manolo Costavuela and his brother Jesus find themselves on a double date with Olive and Florence that leaves the audience rollicking with laughter. The hilarious exchange playing on the intricacies of English colloquialisms and the language barrier dividing the Spanish men and New York women is one of the highlights of the show. The Costavuela brothers are played with suave Spanish flair (though sometimes not entirely believable) by Lawson Hangartner and Elliot Moon to bring another dimension of comedy to the play.

Excellently executed on a detailed stage designed by Tracey Gamble, The Odd Couple showcases the immense talent here at the University of Alabama. The wonderful case and crew of this spring's final Allen Bales production make this a must-see for all of us who need a little laughter to brighten those last few weeks before finals. Take a break from paper-writing and Facebook-ing to enjoy the skill of UA's theater department as they perform The Odd Couple. I guarantee, you will not regret it.

Much More Than Just an "Odd Couple"

If you have ever had trouble differentiating between the word "nougat" and the phrase "no good," then The Odd Couple, showing through April 20 at Allen Bales Theatre, is the production for you. This is not the regular version that you might have previously seen; this production of The Odd Couple is the female version of Neil Simon's Broadway play. However, do not expect any less comedy or wit than the original.

The Odd Couple focuses on two women, Olive Madison, played by Kristi Wiley, and Florence Unger, played by Jessie Towey, who become roommates after Florence's husband calls for a divorce. Even though Olive and Florence are best friends, being roommates is a totally different story; they are basically the complete opposite of each other. The two are joined by a rambunctious group of friends, played by Alice Aycock, Deletha Edwards, Denee' Mills, and freshman Reagan Stevens. These women spiced up the play with their one-liners and were always there to help Olive or Florence out whenever either was in a messy situation. Also joining the cast were two Spanish brothers, Manolo Costavuela, played by Lawson Hangartner, and Jesus Costavuela, played by Elliot Moon, who live on the second floor of Olive and Florence's apartment building.

The character development and relationship between Olive and Florence was wonderfully executed; no other two actresses could have done a better job of portraying best friends who are ironically, complete opposites. Sitting in the audience, I truly believed I was watching two roommates fight over household chores and chase each other around like sisters. Sylvie, played by freshman Regan Stevens, not only had a perfect New York accent, but also executed her sometimes shady one-liners flawlessly. Vera, played by first timer Denee' Mills, was a great fit for her somewhat confused and out of the loop character.

The most memorable scene of the play had to be the interaction between Olive, Florence, Manolo, and Jesus during their "dinner date." The confusion between the Spanish and English language and the overdramatized reactions of the two Spanish men were filled with absolutely hilarious dialogue. This was truly the high point of the show.

The Odd Couple is not just a show for people who want to relate with others' roommate troubles, but it's a show for everyone who loves a good dose of humor portrayed in everyday situations. I highly recommend seeing this show for a good laugh and a taste of talented acting from UA's theatre department.

A Barrel of Laughs All in a Night's Work for this "Odd Couple"

If you asked a group of typical UA students what they're doing this week, you'd probably hear a few of them say that they are going to see the sold-out female version of The Odd Couple, Neil Simon's comedy that replaces the idiosyncrasies and pranks of the beloved Felix and Oscar with the hormones and neuroses of New York women Florence and Olive. This dynamic cast is led by Jessie Towey and Kristi Wiley. Towey portrays Florence, the neurotic, paranoid, obsessive-compulsive hypochondriac whose mood swings and chronic "nerve spasms" result in night-and-day personality shifts. She says that she drives everyone around her crazy, citing the fact that she was once kicked out of the office of a marriage counselor as proof. Wiley's Olive is her polar opposite: a hopeless romantic who is still a marionette to her gambling user of an ex-husband. She is possibly the sloppiest person known to man with a very go-with-the-flow attitude towards life, resulting in an apartment in the condition of a pig sty.
Their group of friends is no less eccentric. First there is Renee, the most laid-back, empathetic, and realistic of the group. She is played by sophomore Deletha Edwards. Mickey, the police officer (portrayed by senior Alice Aycock) who is obviously a more dominant personality, is very blunt and very feminist. Then there is Sylvie, played by freshman Regan Stevens. Sylvie is a pistol of a woman, with an extremely acerbic wit to boot. In response to the question "How many times do penguins have sex?" and its answer (one), she immediately responds "Oh, well I married a penguin!" Her short temper also seems to put her in conflict with the last of the friends, Vera, played by junior Denée Mills. Vera is the very oblivious and dim-witted friend who wears horrible print patterns that bring back the not-so-fond memories of the 80's and is obviously very out-of-touch with reality. However, the two men of the show, the proverbial "roosters in the henhouse," if you will, steal the show. Lawson Hangartner and Elliot Moon play Spanish brothers Manolo and Jose Costazuela, who happen to be Olive's neighbors. These two "caballeros" are the suave kind who evoke images of Ricky Ricardo, complete with heavy Spanish accents and constant misuse of complicated English idioms.
The basic plot revolves around Florence and Olive. Florence's husband leaves her after fourteen years of marriage. She goes to stay with her best friend, Olive, who deals with her hysterics and eventually asks her to move in. Their diametrically opposed personalities added to Florence's constant whining, eccentric and egocentric behavior, and sometimes obsessive need for organization nearly drive Olive and their friends to the brink of insanity. The play is filled with sharp, witty one-liners and hysterical, speedy back-and-forth dialogue abundant in both subtle pop culture references and cheeky innuendo, similar in style to the banter of T.V. favorite Gilmore Girls. If you like a hefty dose of laughter combined with a cast of unique and dysfunctional characters, then I strongly recommend that you go see the Odd Couple at the Allen Bales Theater this week. In fact, I think I'll have a nerve spasm if you don't.