Arden's Woods, Done In by the Director
James Troutman
Date: 2000/05/30
Last revised: 2003/07/12
This essay was originally sent to the Sondheim list on 2000/05/30.
The Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia is currently doing Into the Woods. Quick verdict: if you're in the area, this production does enough things right to make it an enjoyable evening, but it's probably not worth travelling any distance to see.
The show is solidly cast; no one is less than adequate and most are quite strong singing actors. Especially outstanding were Tony Freeman (he was an equally outstanding Charley in Arden's Merrily a couple years back) as the Baker and Molly Ephraim* as Little Red Riding Hood. Both Princes were well cast, and I also liked the Baker's Wife and the Witch. Yes, it was a very good cast. The sets and lighting were generally quite good, and most of the "special effects" came off without a hitch (like the beanstalk growing into the heavens at the end of Act I). Orchestra was good, although the horn had some problems the night I saw it.
So much for the good news. Alas, I can't be more enthusiastic about this production because of some wrongheaded directorial choices. For example, the opening number is staged as a puppet show. That's right, the principal characters (the Baker and his Wife, Red, Cinderella, and Jack and his Mother) are all portrayed with hand-held puppets manipulated by the actors who eventually will portray them. The actors themselves only emerge from behind the puppet set at the point where they make their decision to go Into the Woods.
The problem is that this destroys the opening number. Instead of the audience being gradually introduced to the main characters, we're wondering why we're watching a puppet show. Florinda strikes a puppet rather than the "real" Cinderella (which brings to mind a bad Punch and Judy show!), and lots of other little bits in the opening number just fall by the wayside. The actors retain their puppets and throughout the rest of the show occasionally address remarks to them.
The other problem with the show is that Act II is staged to emphasize its comic elements, even adding some bits that aren't in the script. For example, when Rapunzel is killed by the Giant, her Prince comes running back like a cowardly fool. Yes, it gets a laugh, but at the expense of the character. The Princes certainly have their faults, but physical cowardice is not one of them.
I wish I could like this production more, and overall it does get most things right, thanks to its fine cast. Perhaps I'm being too picky. I'd love to hear what others have to say.
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* It's worth noting that two years later Molly Ephraim portrayed Red in the Broadway revival of Into the Woods.
Related Products
Into the Woods (Original Broadway Cast CD)
or
CA
Into the Woods (Original Broadway Cast DVD)
or
CA
Into the Woods (2002 Revival Broadway Cast CD)
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