Into The Woods - Oregon Shakespeare Fest- Page 2

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/11/14 at 11:07am

Caught this production last night and for me it was kind of all over the map, as most of Amanda's productions are. The first act is played broadly -- as in SNL skit on steroids broad. Though peppered with clever staging moments -- the beautiful humor of the script was steamrolled for 'bits' which for me was a complete turn off.

The second act, where of course, real emotion and humanity are required was much more successful. There are indeed some brilliant moments (including maybe the most gorgeous and poignant ending I've ever seen in any production of the show) and though the singing quality throughout was spotty and erratic, I thought individual performances (The Witch, The Baker, Cinderella specifically) were terrific.

And while it was a delight to hear a 18 piece orchestra play the show, I was slightly horrified at the double-time tempos employed throughout. So fast they turned they entire score into a fully realized version of the infamous "Into the Words" Forbidden Broadway parody.

Still, its an evening I would recommend. It's definitely a singular take on the material.

[Play Esq.]

Posted: 12/20/14 at 10:30pm

"And while it was a delight to hear a 18 piece orchestra play the show, I was slightly horrified at the double-time tempos employed throughout. So fast they turned they entire score into a fully realized version of the infamous "Into the Words" Forbidden Broadway parody."

THANK YOU! Musically, I found the tempi incredibly distracting! A major turn off throughout the evening. I have to disagree with your assessment of the closing (I'm sure it had to be approved...I'm just surprised Sondheim allowed it). SPOILER The a cappella finale changed the tone of the show itself and, jarringly, this production in particular. END SPOILER

Vocally, many of the actors were fine, but rarely above competent. Cinderella and the Baker were very very good (with the former verging on great), but the rest were a mixed bag. I felt the Baker's Wife was using Sondheim to audition for American Idol. Overacting was had in abundance: the production was wrought with heavy-handed gestures and unnecessary and broad stage movement. The choreography was particularly cringe-inducing (Fist pumps? Really?)

The production itself was a very straightforward "Into the Woods" that pretended to be high concept: it's concept-less, actually. Adding random "unique" changes to a piece does not a concept make (see: pretty much every Broadway director's work at the Met). Desperate to make this production seem bold and Broadway-ready, and less like a community theater performance (a failed effort), hokey production changes like the audience participation and Brechtian costume changes were added.

I neither cared for nor was bothered by the audience interaction...there were too many other choices to dislike to be hung up on that little quibble. That the set looked like something straight off of an Encores! performance (with orchestra at the rear of the stage no less) did not help.

I will applaud the rather exquisite costumes (a mix of Brothers Grimm and "The Hunger Games") and looking at Miles Fletcher in short-shorts (at the top of the show) didn't hurt either. But overall I found this production amateurish.