Into The Woods
at W. T. Woodson High School

Reviewed on November 9, 2013

Mady Hanton
Robinson Secondary School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

Like every good story, W.T. Woodson's production of Into the Woods began with the classic fairytale start, "Once Upon a Time". This mash-up of our favorite childhood fairytale characters that includes Cinderella, Rapunzel, Jack, and Little Red Riding Hood, was written by James Lapine with lyrics and score written by Stephen Sondheim. Into the Woods hit the Great White Way of Broadway in November of 1987 and ran for 764 performances.

The plot follows the Baker and his Wife on their journey into the woods to please the Witch, so they may be granted a child. Meanwhile, Cinderella goes to the King's festival, but is conflicted when she does not quite know if a life as a princess is what she wants. Simultaneously, Jack trades his cow for "magic" beans that grow into a towering bean stock which he climbs to steal from the Giant. Rapunzel is torn between staying with her mother, the Witch, who has been the only other person she has known her entire life, or her Prince, who can show her everything she's ever wondered about the rest of the world. And finally, Little Red Riding Hood, who finds the thin line between good and agreeable through her encounters with the Wolf.

Because of the demanding nature of the score of the show, the cast began working in the summer, and each actor conquered the difficult harmonies and rhythms with grace. Together they all made a strong ensemble that had noticeably superb chemistry with each other. This was especially clear with the Baker and the Baker's Wife, depicted by Joshua Reiter and Emily Bubeck, during their adorable duet, "It Takes Two" that prompted audible "Aww"'s from the audience.

Another strong point of the show from start to finish was Lara Taylor's portrayal of the Witch. In the first act, her face was covered by a mask to show old age, which did the job well, but sadly blocked a few lines and expressions from the audience. After the mask came off, Taylor's expressions lit up the stage. She had the audience laughing at her comedic choices, and crying during her beautifully heartbreaking solo, "Witch's Lament".

Other standouts included Anna Phillips-Brown as Rapunzel with her dazzling soprano aria. Drew Bondy, who played Jack, impressed the audience with his impressive high note at the end of "Giants of the Sky". Bryce Menard and Jacob Nelson as Cinderella's Prince and Rapunzel's Prince made the audience laugh out loud with both of their duets, "Agony" and "Agony Reprise". Lastly, Lexie McEntire's sparkling soprano fit her role of Cinderella perfectly and amazed the audience.

The Mr. E Street Band did a notable job with lengthy and strenuous Sondheim score. Though some instruments went a bit flat in some areas, the actors covered it well and did not waver from their correct notes. The set, built by Fran Mahon and Erika Killion and decorated by Anna Phillips-Brown, was lavish and created many well-used levels during the ensemble numbers. Sound had a few slip ups, but the cast did not falter and were never phased. The cast was costumed in remarkable gowns and suits by Isabella Valdes and Sael Catano.

W.T. Woodson's production of Into the Woods was a heart-warming and splendid performance that made the stories we all know and love come to life in whole new way.

Claire Seaton
Washington Lee High School
Submitted for publication to Washington Post - Fairfax

What if happily ever after wasn't the end of a fairy tale? What happens after the beanstalk has been cut down, after Cinderella marries her prince, after Little Red escapes the wolf? Do fairy tale characters have to deal with the consequences of their actions? In W.T. Woodson High School's production of Into the Woods, the answer is a resounding yes.

Into the Woods, written by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, premiered on Broadway in 1987 and has garnered incredible critical acclaim ever since. The plotline is a complex web of ripple effects, following the story of a baker and his wife on a quest to start a family, woven together with classic Brothers Grimm fairy tales. The story doesn't just end at "Ever After," but examines the happily ever aftermath.

Joshua Reiter gave an impressive performance as the Baker, navigating the complex character and tricky vocals with ease. Particularly in such numbers as "No One Is Alone" and "No More," Reiter captured his character's maturity and demonstrated much vocal energy. Carrying the show alongside him was Emily Bubek as the Baker's Wife, who tackled another difficult role with gusto. Bubek's commitment to her character was evident and her voice swooped and soared through songs like "A Very Nice Prince" and "Maybe They're Magic." Lexie McEntire's portrayal of Cinderella was sublime, as were her vocals and sense of timing. As the Witch, Lara Taylor impressed the audience with her emotional range, despite wearing a full mask for the entire first act of the show. Drew Bondy was excellent as Jack, mastering the vocal demands of the score and adding energy to the company. Cinderella's Prince (Bryce Menard) and Rapunzel's Prince (Jacob Nelson) stole the show with their rendition of "Agony" as well as their pompous mannerisms. Menard also played the role of the Wolf with impressive physicality and commitment to the insatiable character.

The set was minimalistic enough to depict different moments in the woods, yet was intricately constructed to provide many different levels for the actors to work with. Rapunzel's tower and the tree at Cinderella's mother's grave were prominent features of the set, as were the flats for Cinderella's house and castle, Jack's house, and the Bakers' house. The cast was outfitted with a plethora of excellent costumes designed by Isabella Valdes and Sael Catano. Robyn Smith and Taylor Sarlo headed the Hair and Makeup department, giving the Witch a wig and a mask, old age makeup to Little Red Riding Hood's Granny, and a beard to the Mysterious Man. The props department, led by Claudia Caceres, notably featured a cow on wheels as well as a carousel horse and an impressive glowing staff for the Witch.

It's a tall order for a high school to perform a Stephen Sondheim musical, but W.T. Woodson's theatre department demonstrated considerable effort and commitment in their production of "Into the Woods." On the surface a lighthearted comedy, at heart the show is a test of moral ambiguities and an exploration of the grey areas between good and evil. After your journey into the Woodson auditorium, you may find yourself asking, does the end truly justify the means—or the beans?

Maggie Hardy
Hayfield Secondary School
Submitted for publication to ShowBizRadio.net

Anyone wishing for an enjoyable performance to see during the weekend didn't have to go too far into the woods to see W.T. Woodson High School's production of Into the Woods...all while getting home before dark!

With the beautifully complex music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and the witty book written by James Lapine, the musical debuted in San Diego in 1986, then on Broadway in 1987 to rave reviews. From its original Broadway run, Joanna Gleeson as the Baker's Wife snagged the Tony award for Best Actress in a musical, while the show snapped up several others, such as Best Score and Best Book. The love for the production has not dwindled since then, as a live-action musical film adaption is coming from Disney in 2014. The story follows the different lives of classic fairy tale characters with the new addition of a childless Baker and his Wife. While the first act follows the classic "happily ever after" the audience expects, the second act takes the story on unexpected track, focusing on the darker side of the happy endings. Venturing into the woods to achieve their own means, the character's stories cross and overlap, creating an adventure of moral question, conflicting interests, and finding yourself, as the characters discover what can happen in pursuit of a wish.

Emily Bubeck (The Baker's Wife) captivated with her control over Sondheim's tricky score, and her apt comedic timing. Her believable chemistry with her bumbling husband, portrayed by Joshua Reiter, made the audience root for them throughout the production. Lara Taylor (The Witch) also won the affections of the audience through her beautiful vocals and emotional dedication to her character. She, along with the cast in general, maintained a gripping vocal energy that kept the audience engrossed in the story.

The cast as a whole had a creditable hold on Sondheim's difficult music, and this talent was spectacularly executed within the core performers, such as Lexie McEntire (Cinderella) and Drew Bondy (Jack). Both performers never failed to impress with their gorgeous vocals and honest portrayal of their characters. Additionally, Bryce Menard (Cinderella's Prince) charmed the audience with his smooth delivery and arrogant physicality. His banter with his princely partner-in-crime, Jacob Nelson (Rapunzel's Prince) was also a crowd pleaser.

The ensemble all together brought energy and dedication to the production with passionate focus, never letting a technical fault or missed cue throw them off. A couple of stand-outs were Anna Phillips-Brown (Rapunzel) with her lovely vocals and comedic energy, and Claudia Caceres (Jack's Mother) with her commanding stage presence and hilarious delivery. A unique piece of Woodson's production was the interesting use of dance, notably Merritt Palmer as a ballet pointe soloist.

The tech truly helped bring the show to life. The set was incredibly detailed and convincing as a creepy thicket of woods, while also providing a fun and functional setting for the characters to maneuver on, giving the audience great stage pictures and levels. The costumes amazed the audience with their artistry, quality, and detail. Although there were a few lighting and sound issues, the ensemble worked through them admirably.

With their energy, dedication, and commendable performance of Sondheim's intricate compositions, W.T. Woodson made their production a "wish come true" to watch. The choice is made, the task is set; you have to take the journey to see W.T. Woodson High School's Into the Woods!

Kristen Popham
Chantilly High School
Submitted for publication to Red Apple 21 - FCPS

"I wish." These words are powerful enough to transform entire lives. They also have the power to eliminate them. Why? Humans, by their very nature, wish. But, it's how we pursue these wishes that can break our "happy ever after." At W.T. Woodson High School, an entire audience was cast under some spell-binding enchantment that taught us this important message in "Into the Woods."

"Into the Woods," music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and book by James Lapine, premiered on Broadway in November 1987. Winner of several Tony Awards, including best book, best score, and best actress in a musical, "Into the Woods" achieved high acclaim. Their West End performance, US tour, and 2002 Broadway revival further advanced the show as widely recognized across the world. The story focuses on the fairy tales of "Little Red Riding Hood," "Jack and the Beanstalk," "Rapunzel," and "Cinderella," all intertwining to achieve their own happy ending. However, this ending does not last long, and each character experiences chaos, being enlightened on life's lessons along the way.

W.T. Woodson's production was poignant and delightfully enchanting. The impeccable relationships between lovers, family, and friends were fully encompassed and dynamic. The actors were genuine, and exercised skill in the challenge of losing themselves in the story. Their commitment was portrayed with high energy, stakes, and whole-hearted embodiment of their characters. Whether it be the desperation in Rapunzel's eyes, or the longing facial expression of every character that "wished," the actors bared the weight of their emotion just as Rapunzel bared the weight of her 15 foot hair.

The Witch, successfully depicted by Lara Taylor, gave an exceptional performance. Though masked for the most of the first act, Taylor used body language to transform into an evil, yet facetious character. However, the removal of the mask was even more alarming as her facial expression and full vocal articulation was conveyed and valued. Her relationship with Anna Phillips-Brown's Rapunzel was especially notable as their excellent chemistry and prominent energy was imperative to the success of the show.

Cinderella, portrayed by Lexie McEntire, ultimately depicted the warm-hearted Cinderella we know so well, with elements of comedy that made the performance uniquely hers. McEntire's dulcet vocals carried the show, and her suddenly maternal relationship was suitably illustrated in the song, "No One is Alone." This song, supplemented by the vocals of the Baker (Joshua Reiter) offered an aroma of sentiment that especially stood out in the show.

The set further transformed the time frame, with realistic grass coating the hilly and wooded stage, and separate backdrops appearing to have jumped straight from a storybook. Costumes, hair, and makeup furthered this enchantment.

W.T. Woodson's "Into the Woods" was a reminder to be careful how we wish. As Cinderella says, "But how can you know what you want till you get what you want and you see if you like it? What I want most of all is to know what I want."

Alex Poirier
Loudoun Valley HS
Submitted for publication to Patch.com - Fairfax

Everyone had their favorite fairy tale as a child. Princesses, giants, bean stalks and golden eggs bookmark the pages of our memory, intoxicatingly filled with possibilities of tomorrow and ever after. Into the Woods (book by James Lapine and composed by Steven Sondheim), performed at W. T. Woodson High School, is a dream, feeding our imagination with tantalizing "What If…"'s. After all, a compilation that weaves together all of our favorite tales is a totally mesmerizing experience that makes it worth your while to go ‘Into the Woods'withthe Woodson cast and crew.

In this musical theater classic, the beloved stories of Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Jack and the Bean Stalk weave together into a single entity, all influencing one another as they race through their important tasks in the wood. Though the show has several stock fairy tale characters, the journey that Sondheim guides them through causes even the Witch (Lara Taylor) to become as real to us as the child paying rapt attention to the stage further down the road. The Baker (Joshua Reiter) and his Wife (Emily Bubeck) compete with the clock while finding items in a malevolent treasure hunt so they may have a child; Cinderella (Lexie McEntire) desperately runs to and from the prince's festival, dithering over a decision; Jack (Drew Bondy) explores the skies, finding giants and gold; and Little Red Riding Hood (Maddie Branley) is, of course, trying to get to her grandmother's house. By the time the show winds to its end, the characters have grown less naïve, as they realize how damaging it can be to wish.

Overall, the show was unbelievably intense. The talented group of actors pulled together and wove their magic, casting us all back to our childhood for some brief special moments. Some of the highlights of the show were completely unexpected, while others are always crowd pleasers. The Witch (Lara Taylor) and her daughter, Rapunzel (Anna Phillips-Brown), had great chemistry and comedic timing, playing off one another like seasoned professionals in their first song, "Our Little World". The Baker (Joshua Reiter) and his Wife (Emily Bubeck) also had one of the strongest relationships in the show, growing and changing as a unit, the married couple that they were said to be. The lighting on the backdrop did wonders for setting the time and the mood, with a softly glowing moon that was an omen of what needed to be accomplished before the time ran out. Each of the main actors skillfully brought more dimension to their characters during the second act, which is much darker than the one preceding it.The strengths of several vocalists were displayed to the world, impressing parents and peers alike.

The time, energy, sweat, blood, and tears that were put into this show was evident to those in the audience, all watching with bated breath, guessing how the story would twist unexpectedly, hoping their favorite would be spared the foot of the giantess. The magical undertones of the piece were exposed one at a time, slowly confining us into the trap of believing in goblins and dragons and magic once more. Bringing the audience into their world is the number one goal of any production, and with "Into the Woods", the audience came out believing once more in the power of wishes.

Amanda McGuire
Fairfax High School
Submitted for publication to The Cavalcade

The classic tales of Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Little Red Riding Hood are all intertwined in the mystical forests of Steven Sondheim and James Lapine's "Into the Woods." With a new adventure, creature or spell around every corner, W.T. Woodson High School did great justice to the Tony award winning script and score, emitting scenes straight off the pages of a storybook.

Banded together by fate, numerous beloved children's story characters assist a baker and his wife in lifting a spell of infertility placed upon their house. In the process, chaos ensues as giants, witches, and death bestow themselves upon the storyline. The story may not end in a happily ever after for everyone, but it certainly instilled timeless morals to be "careful of the spells you cast and tales you tell" in the minds of both the audience and the actors.

"Into the Woods" is rapidly becoming a household name as it pushes into the top five most produced musicals in high schools. Branching from its debut in 1986 at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego, and then onto Broadway the following year, the musical has been graced by musical theater legends such as Bernadette Peters and Joanna Gleason, filling few of the iconic story book roles.

Designed by students Fran Mahon, Erika Killion, and Killian Rodgers - scenes were set atop topsy-turvy platforms dressed in burlap, vines, and handmade stone; preceding a painted arboreal backdrop. Each scene was respectively lit in shades of blues and reds to create eerie woodland vibes. When necessary, large square walls were maneuvered on stage to create backdrops for characters' homes; each uniquely textured to indicate social class or living situation.

Woodson's cast accepted Sondheim's challenging lyric and rhythm eloquently with relatively seamless vocals by each individual character. With songs approaching close to 12 minutes, the amount of control, vocal agility and energy put forth by most characters was commendable. Act I placed great focus on individual characters, allowing soloists to shine such as Jack (Drew Bondy) in "Giants in the Sky" and Cinderella (Lexie McEntire) in "On the Steps of the Palace." Chemistry between the Baker (Joshua Reiter) and his Wife (Emily Bubeck) was eminent from the get-go, as the two romantically bickered through "The Spell is On My House" and "It Takes Two." Act II is where the cast was truly able to shine as a whole, creating breathtaking harmony in "No One is Alone," proceeding the finale.

Expanding upon their romantic chemistry during vocal performance, the Baker and his Wife (Reiter and Bubeck) displayed the greatest level of genuine presentation in spoken script. The two brought believable dialogue and physicality to every scene no matter their importance, showing emotions ranging from fear to joy, and everything in between. Show-stopping performances were also given by the Witch (Lara Taylor), who even bound behind a mask for most of the first act was able to deliver powerhouse vocals and ceaseless commitment to spooky physicality. Later without being restrained by a hideous mask, Taylor displayed the largest change in character switching from a snarky, pretentious mother, to a compassionate and concerned individual. Cinderella and Rapunzel's Princes (Bryce Menard and Jacob Nelson) that were "raised to be charming not sincere" provided constant comedic relief in their sporadic entrances and duet "Agony."

No matter what you went into W.T. Woodson's woods to discover, you came out content following a performance of charming, well-rehearsed actors upon a functional, appropriately dressed set. Tickets are still available for a second weekend, November 15th and 16th, to witness this jaw-dropping, musical fairy tale adventure.

Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf
Langley High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

"Careful the things you say. Children will listen." While we all want to tell our children to live happily ever after, such dreams are not always that simple. In W.T. Woodson High School's production of Into the Woods, what started out as an innocent amalgamation of fairy tale characters became a powerful story of resilience, responsibility, and letting go of the people we love.

Written by Stephen Sondheim (music) and James Lapine (book), Into the Woods premiered on Broadway in 1987, running for 765 performances and earning Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score. The show has since enjoyed numerous revivals and an upcoming film adaptation set to debut in 2014. The story centers on a baker and his wife who have been cursed with infertility by a witch. Determined to have a child, the couple journeys to fulfill the witch's requests and free themselves of the curse, meeting a slew of characters from Brother's Grimm fairy tales along the way. Plagued by various obstacles, the characters' stories intertwine as they deal with the consequences of their choices and the sad truths of mortality and loss.

Tackling the complex harmonies of Sondheim is quite a daunting task for high school students, but the cast took on the challenge with style and professionalism. Particular standout songs included "No One is Alone" and "It Takes Two." Both the orchestra and cast showcased impressive stamina in the nearly sung-through score.

Driving the plot line, Joshua Reiter as the Baker successfully displayed the sensitive struggles of protecting a loved one, his rich baritone voice filling the theatre with genuine emotion. Opposite Reiter was Emily Bubeck as the Baker's Wife, whose pleasant vocals and witty line delivery accentuated the contrast with her more vulnerable character interactions. Lara Taylor as the Witch effectively captured the multi-faceted psychological layers of her role, consistently engaging in scenes with vocal inflections without letting a facial mask hinder her ability for expression, her comical cackles balancing cries of agony and frustration.

Portraying the dazzling Cinderella, Lexie McEntire's mellifluous voice shone throughout the production as she transformed from the figurehead of a princess to a headstrong woman of courage and accountability. As Jack, Drew Bondy impeccably played the sprightly, naïve character with charm, his belting voice soaring in the song, "Giants in the Sky."

Completely transformed into a mysterious woodland landscape, the stage was filled with a multi-story platform simulating a forest path and various flats representing different households. Props included, among other things, an intricate light-up witch's staff and authentic baked goods. Despite some occasional cue errors and audible cracks, the sound crew admirably handled the use of 16 body microphones.

The cast and crew of Into the Woods successfully contrasted the playful nature of the first act with the serious turn of events in the second. Beneath the innocent fairytales of childhood, poignant undertones bring a sense of raw emotion. Through all the losses of life and opportunity in our world, we—like the Baker, Cinderella, Little Red, and Jack— must remember that someone will be on our side, for no one is ever alone.

Into the Woods will also be performing on November 15th and 16th at 7:30PM. Don't miss it.

Abby Wei
Thomas S. Wootton High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

Complete with evil curses, lumbering giants, gold-laying chickens and royal scandals, W.T. Woodson High School's production of "Into the Woods" hit the stage with all the right notes.

The musical, which has won several Tony Awards, intertwines the plots of several Brothers Grimm fairy tales and explores the consequences of each character's wishes, revealing that there is always more than a ‘happily-ever-after.' With main characters taken from "Little Red Riding Hood", "Jack and the Beanstalk", "Rapunzel", and "Cinderella," act one focuses on each characters quest to find his or her wish, cleverly interweaving an original story plot twist by meshing all the characters into each other's stories. Act two finds the characters with their happily-ever-after's not so happy, and brings out the dark side in the beloved storybook heroes.

W.T. Woodson high school's production was anchored by the consistent characterization of the lead actors and the versatility of the ensemble as a whole. Multiple actors covered up brief line slip-ups with startling skill, highlighting the almost professional quality of the cast.

With a mix of headstrong determination and cheerful playfulness, Emily Bubeck brought more than a little charm to the role of Baker's Wife. Bubeck combined almost perfect comedic timing and a tenacious motherly sense of urgency to nail an unequivocally hard to play character. Bubeck's slightly flirtatious on stage chemistry with male lead Joshua Reiter as Baker created a playful atmosphere to offset some of the darker tones in the musical.

Lexie McEntire portrayed the gracefully winsome Cinderella to a tee, holding herself with a poised air, while still revealing her inner struggle for true happiness. McEntire's extraordinary vocal capacity was revealed in standout solos in both "On the Steps of the Palace" and "No One is Alone." McEntire's beautifully controlled tone is unprecedented in many high school productions and her vibrato sent chills through the audience. Lara Taylor as the Witch also sang beautifully in her solo number "Last Midnight," while balancing use of comic delivery with her obvious deep love for Rapunzel impressively. Drew Bondy's beautifully clear and dulcet tenor tone resonated magnificently in the theater during his various solo opportunities as Jack. Comedic actors Anna Phillips-Brown as the slow-witted Rapunzel and Bryce Menard as Cinderella's Prince stole the limelight and the audience's hearts whenever they were on stage, adding much needed comic relief to the sometimes heavy show.

The production's set design, though remaining unchanged throughout the show, was intricately made, with the crew making excellent use of space to fill the whole stage with trees and forest paths. The simple set design allowed characters to enter and exit the stage from various areas without having to make awkward transitions. Lights were used to create a full harvest moon on the backdrop, adding to the ominous atmosphere. The props crew went above and beyond the usual expectations for a high school production and painstakingly made precise loaves of bread and created a stunningly accurate painting of Cinderella and her prince to adorn the bare castle walls.

As the lights faded in the Joan C. Bedinger Auditorium, audience members were reminded that just as ‘moments in the woods' may not happen often, the chances of seeing a high school pull off such an accurate rendition of a beloved show are not too common either.

Into the Woods will also be performing on November 15th and 16th at 7:30PM. Don't miss it.