Brennan Paulin

INTO THE WOODS, one of the most produced musicals all over the country, and one of the most popular of the Stephen Sondheim cannon. Why is this musical that clashes all of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales into one multiverse so widely beloved and so often performed by high schools, community theaters, and regional companies? Why does it seem like every man who does musicals has The Baker as one of his dream roles?

What I am about to share with you is an experience that I hope all theatre-goers in the Dayton area get to experience at some point in their lives. You hope that the next play or musical you attend will provide the entertainment or the emotional journey that all audiences crave.

Let’s face it, the world of theatre, at times, can be misogynistic. Even though we joke about the multitude of gay men that are involved in theatre, that does not mean it is exempt from the repercussions of “the patriarchy”. As a gay man myself, I understand this problem all too well, but here in Dayton, we have luckily had some incredibly impactful pieces that were not only led by women, but speak upon the experiences of womanhood.