Experience the Magic of Fairy Tales with Colonial Chorus Players 'Into the Woods'

Beware the giant, a witch, and the wolf as you venture into the woods.

Colonial Chorus Players presents Into the Woods. Into the Woods blends multiple fairy tale characters who venture into a dark forest seeking a wish. Their wishes coming true, were they worth the trek to begin with?

I had the biggest smile on my face watching the Colonial Chorus Players' entertaining production of Into the Woods. Merrily dancing in upbeat song numbers, the incredibly talented cast of Into the Woods highlighted the show’s moral. Always be grateful for what you have, or the consequences may haunt you.

Maeve McCluskey and Jessica Woodard were excellent as the Baker and Baker’s wife. The couple wants to have a baby. If they follow the witch’s orders, their wish may come true. McCluskey and Woodard were fantastic, each exhibiting amazing vocals. Endlessly bickering, the couple learns that they must work together if they want a child.

Entering the stage covered in a frightening witch-like makeover, frazzled hair, and wiry sharp fingernails, Lali Haines was fantastic. Posing a question about humanity, Haines’s powerful vocals and commanding stage presence made The Witch a force to reckon with.

Ts Burnham lit up the show as the energetic and spry Little Red Riding Hood. Burnham was outstanding in her interpretation of her character. All her witty reactions made me laugh.

Mike Buck’s child-like charisma portrayed a spectacular moving performance as Jack. Annemarie Alvarez was impressive as Cinderella, singing in a gorgeous voice.

A couple of cast members had the opportunity to play two contrasting characters. One moment Dan Kelly was narrating the story until appearing as the mysterious man sporting a riddle.

Nate Haywood performed as a sinister howling wolf, stalking Little Red Riding Hood, until switching to his role as a charming yet egotistic prince of Cinderella. I got a kick out of Cinderella’s Prince and Rapunzel’s Prince (Luke Sprenkle) singing about their woes.

Whether acting as an arrogant Stewart, a supportive ghostly mother, or overly-dramatic step-sisters, every cast member committed to their roles, beaming, dancing, and expressing impeccable energy.

Several helping hands put this show on its feet, featuring a sprawling forest that took up the entire stage. What was particularly impressive were the painted murals that stood in the back of the stage. The design is up to interpretation though I believed it to be window shades peaking out to the dark forest. You never know what adventures will transpire.

Tremendous applause goes to Lance Arnold and Crystal VanArtsdalen for their outstanding Milky White, the Cow design. Milky White is puppeteered by an expressive Joshua Foisy.

Into the Woods has countless memorable song numbers written by the late Stephen Sondheim. ‘Agony,’ ‘I Know Things Now,’ ‘No One is Alone,’ and the titular opening number, ‘Into the Woods.’

The second act is a contrast from the animated fairytale in Act 1. The second act deals with themes such as loss. ‘No One is Alone’ is one of my favorite songs from Into the Woods. The characters have moving conversations about how no one is ever alone in dark times.

Studying the show’s themes, Into the Woods is a complex show to stage, but Corey Cadigan worked closely with the cast to present a unique telling. Compared to other renditions of the musical, this production stood out for its innovative approach to the material.

Colonial Chorus Players' production of Into the Woods was a triumph. If you have the opportunity to see this production, I highly recommend it. The show is playing May 5-7 at Parker Middle School.