BWW Reviews: CM PAC Goes INTO THE WOODS

Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Tony award winning musical Into The Woods has long been done since it premiered on Broadway in 1987. It certainly puts a lot of pressure on the cast to breathe new life into the theatre staple. Now playing at Creative Ministries Performing Arts Center (CM PAC), directed by Tim Pappalardo, the cast was up for the challenge and wonderfully delivered.

The very imaginative story, written by Mr. Lapine, is showing through June 16th at the Long Island venue and entwines several familiar fairy tale characters exploring the consequences of their wishes.

An original plot centers around The Baker and his wife, portrayed by CM PAC vets Jim Sluder and Denise Antonelle, on their quest to begin a family. They were a great team and worked really well together as a married couple.

A curse of infertility is placed upon them by the Witch, portrayed by Jennifer Hope. Ms. Hope, also a CM PAC vet, made a great witch complete a limp and hunch in her back. The Witch said the only way to have the curse lifted was if they go into the woods and bring her four items; "the cow as white as milk, the cape as red as blood, the hair as yellow as corn, and the slipper as pure as gold"

This is where the aforementioned familiar fairy tale characters come in. They meet Jack, of Jack and the Beanstalk, portrayed by Bobby Peterson, with the cow as white as milk. Then they meet Little Red Riding Hood, portrayed by Kristen Digilio, with her blood-red cape. Next they meet Rapunzel, portrayed by Kara Vertucci, with her golden hair. Then finally they meet Cinderella, portrayed by Katie Ferretti, with her shoes she wore to the Royal Ball. Everyone was fantastic in their respective roles. This including the fact that there was little dialog and mostly straight singing of Mr. Sondheim's music - the two act show had 31 numbers.

The set and costumes were a highlight as well. The costumes, done by Debbie Parker, featured a stunning rendition of Cinderella's ball dress, a wonderfully creepy Witch outfit and make-up, and a great costume for Jack's cow, Milky White.

I was truly happy to see this production as it hasn't been on Broadway in over 10 years (with the exception of a couple of very limited engagements). As long as you have the right cast, as CM's incarnation does, you'll have a wonderful time at this show.

Into The Woods is presented by Creative Ministries Performing Arts Center of Oakdale, Long Island, through June 16th. Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by James Lapine, Directed and Choreographed by Tim Pappalardo, Musical Direction by Christopher Mckee, Stage Management by Dina Morgan Lotito, Set Design by Tim Pappalardo and Amanda Uribe, Sound Design by Samuel Nino, Costume Design by Debbie Parker, Lighting Design by Daniel Shappert. For more information and to purchase tickets, please call (631) 218-2810 or visit www.cmpac.com.