Rachel Quinonez

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Into the Woods Ticket Information

The Review is in...

Solano Reps "Into the Woods" is a must see...

By Tony Wade | Daily Republic correspondent | March 31, 2010 22:52
FAIRFIELD - Walking into the Fairfield Center for Creative Arts to see Solano Repertory Company's production of 'Into the Woods' was akin to walking into a fairy tale.

The stage was covered top to bottom, and left to right, by a huge mural of a village and lush vegetation was 'growing' all over the theater. On stage were vines leading up to Rapunzel's tower and the sounds of happily chirping birds bounced all around.

'Into the Woods' is an amusing and entertaining musical romp through well-known stories. It's perhaps best described as 'The-Brothers-Grimm-meet-1970s-TV-producers-Sid-and-Marty-Krofft.'

The fractured fairy tale begins with a spooky introduction featuring the cast members placed strategically around the theater, all standing as still as statues, while the lights flickered and a bell tolled.

Then the narrator, played with aplomb by Mark M. Miller, began the experience with the requisite opener 'Once upon a time . . .'

The story is basically about a baker (Matt King) and his wife (Aubine Wise) who, in order to have a curse removed, are required to go on a scavenger hunt of sorts.

The items they gather lead to encounters with well-known fairy tale folk. The objects include a cow as white as milk (belonging to Jack of Jack and the Beanstalk), a cape as red as blood (Little Red Riding Hood), hair as yellow as corn (Rapunzel), and a slipper as pure as gold (Cinderella).

The good: Solano Rep assembled a delightful collection of local talent to bring the charming tale to life. The aforementioned affable host, Miller, did double duty as the silver-tongued and fleet-footed Mysterious Man.

Melanie Massoud was a natural as Little Red Riding Hood. Her cute Shirley Temple-ish speaking voice could suddenly soar with volume and power when she launched into song.

Other singing and acting standouts included Wise, Kristin Martin (Rapunzel), Jessica Salt (Cinderella) and Jennifer Mizell (Jack's mother and Cinderella's mother.)

What would a fairy tale be without a witch? Patty Penrod played the role with relish using a sinister tone, crooked stature and creepy cackles. In musical numbers such as 'Stay With Me' and 'Witch's Lament,' she unleashed the wickedly powerful instrument that is her voice.

Cinderella and Rapunzel each had a prince for a suitor and they were played respectively by Scott Jackson and Jay Serpas. The latter executed several sprawling pratfalls that would have made Chevy Chase proud.

The two princes also performed a hilarious duet on 'Agony' that just about brought the house down.

I've reviewed about three dozen plays for the Daily Republic in the last four years and can say with conviction that Stephanie Rivas did more with one line than I've seen any other local actor do. Her line? 'Moo.'

Rivas played Milky White the cow owned by Jack (Matt Kohrt) and she conveyed anger, love, fear and contentment with just her face and parts of her body not covered by her costume.

Her comic sensibilities were undoubtedly honed by her work with local improvisational comedy troupe Rats in the Alley.

One of the funniest moments in the play was when Rivas stole a scene between the baker's wife and Cinderella by chewing on scenery with her hind legs lifted off the ground.

Director Shannon Veon Kase unified all the disparate theatrical elements.

Mike Barney's sets were fantastic. The woods consisted of several realistic trees as well as a big chunky stump smack dab in the middle of the stage.

Wayne Goodman did a most capable job as the musical director and the choreography by Liz Andrews used space and movement to maximum effect.

Costume designer Sylvia Gregory once again outdid herself. Especially stunning were the ball gowns for Cinderella, her stepmother (Alicia Miller) and her wicked stepsisters Florinda (Aubree D' Ambrosio) and Lucinda (Amanda Clanton).

The not-so-good: I've never portrayed myself as a high falutin' theater expert or musical connoisseur, but neither are most people who come to see local shows.

While I know the music and lyrics are by celebrated composer Stephen Soundheim and the original cast album won a Grammy, many of the songs, though clever and funny, don't have memorable melodies.

The bottom line: 'Into the Woods' delivers on many levels. It is imaginative, very funny, well-acted and nicely put together.

The moral of this review is: go see this play.

Reach Fairfield freelance writer Tony Wade at getthelowdown@sbcglobal.net.