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Little Theater of Manchester
A Little Theater makes a big
walk in the woods.
By John Hoyle Nov-03-06
Rev.C. 11-05-06
I've read that tidal waves begin with a deceptive phenomenon. At
first the calm seas recede far into areas that are never
normally dry.
Unwary beach goers tend to wander down into the
now dry seabed to collect shells or see sea creatures and
unusual sights caused by the receding seas. Then, inevitably,
the unrelenting seas reclaim and engulf the land with a powerful
vengeance.
Tragedies like Into the Woods
have many of these characteristics. Outside events trigger human actions
- which
ultimately have unanticipated results. One thing I like about
the Sondheim play is it's subtlety. People's actions are not always
overtly evil. People need not violate taboos or have character
flaws
to suffer tragedy.
Sondheim's genius lies in combining small apparently
insignificant actions into a whole that provokes larger consequences.
The story borrows
from several classic fairy tales - Cinderella, Jack and the
Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, and Rapunzel. A narrator
(Christopher Stone) introduces us to some of the main characters
and sets the motivating theme of 'wishes' - the driving force of
each character. We see a scene featuring Cinderella (Carolyn
Fisher) who wishes to go to the Kings Festival, Jack (Greg
Ludovici) wishing his cow would give milk, and the Baker
(John-Michael Whitney) wishing for a child. Each of these
characters motivations are complicated by others. Cinderella's
stepmother (Diane Lareau AmEnde) and step sisters Florinda
(Stacy Constantine) and Lucinda (Tara Abate) laugh and chide her
for her dream of attending the ball. Jack's Mother (Lisa Abate)
insists he sell the milkless cow for gold; Jack and his
wife are visited by Little Red Riding Hood (Emmie Pepe Winshell)
who has stopped into the bakery to buy bread and treats for her
grandmother. Soon the Baker and his wife (Cara Babich) learn
that they are childless due to a curse placed on them by a
witch (Becky LaBombard) in retaliation for his father's
theft of vegetables and magic beans from her years before. To
break this spell, he must give her several items.
So the characters are
off on their respective goals - Jack must sell the cow, the
Baker's must find their items, Red Riding Hood is on her way to
grandmothers, and Cinderella is pursuing her dream of attending
the ball. The first act ends with each character achieving their
goals and all appears to be pleasantly settled. Yet the
play shows that in life, as in physics, each action has a
reaction. As in the beach analogy, our characters are
joyously prancing deep onto the dry seabed. Following the fairy
tale conclusions of the first act; the second act creates a
dramatic shift - perhaps the most stunningly dramatic of any
musical. From the achievement of the various quests;
consequences materialize; some humorous - some dire. The prone
beach combers are beset by the relentless wave of
consequence which is a result of their actions and interactions with others.
The interactions of these characters prove to be
hugely entertaining. Direction is crisp - interweaving movement,
great musical timing and balanced character presentations. Props are generally nice if basic, especially noteworthy is Rapunzels wonderful tower and a nicely done enchanted tree-dwelling. Brenda Frazier's
costumes are superbly done. Characters look the role; clothing
has a quality and realism that enhances each scene. I especially
must commend the witches dress - she looked at once imposing and
stunning. The prince brothers costumes also appeared to be
straight out of a fairy tale book, as did the entire cast.
John-Michael Whitney and Cara Babich play the
Baker and his wife. Each deliver outstanding performances,
together their performance as a couple has feeling and depth,
with solid stage chemistry and all the pathos and dynamics
of a married couple. Cara Babich's rendition of Moments in
the Wood is a high point. Cara embodies the role of the
bakers wife and eventually a mother. She has an appealling
sincerity to her characterization and delivers song with a
beautiful crisp and clear voice. Her stage demeanor and smile
that can be seen and felt from a balcony, easily won the
audiences affections.
Carolyn Fisher's Cinderella is a another premier
performance. Ms. Fisher is supremely in-character and assumes
the role of a troubled, caring and feeling Cinderella. She has
great voice, beautiful features and also knows how to take a
very believable fall. Her duet "No One is Alone", is
beautiful and filled with feeling. Bravo to Ms Fisher on her
memorable and superb performances.
Jack is perfectly embodied by Greg Ludovici.
Ludovici presents a fun character with a strong sense of
familiarity. His character portrayal immediately manages
to put the audience into a comfort zone. This is a character who
is understandable and very likeable. At the times when he is in
danger or troubled - he projects his concerns well with
expression, tone and timing. He also has great comedic timing
and more than once brought the house down with hilarious antics.
Greg as Jack delivers a lively and inspired 'Giants in the Sky'
Adding both motherly scorn as well as concern is
Lisa Abate in the role of Jack's Mother. Lisa hits all of her
songs, and portrays a believable if not always pleasant mother.
Another superlative portrayal is that of
Cinderella's Stepmother flawlessly delivered by the ever
stunning Diane Lareau AmEnde. Diane uses tone and expression as
an art creating a stern, sometimes overbearing mother.
The incomparable Jenna Levitt delivered a
touching rendition of
Cinderella at the Grave. Ms Levitt's songs are perfectly delivered in a production
that all too rarely has the opportunity to present her
incredible singing voice. Jenna's beautiful song is done from
the inside of a nicely done stage prop - a tree with a magical
opening. She uses arm and hand motion well from these
interesting confines.
Cinderella's step sister, Florinda and Lucinda
are delivered by the beautiful Stacy
Constantine and Tara Abate respectively. Both deliver great
supporting and very funny characters.
Standout David Pelletier has a strong and
perfectly toned voice. There is probably no finer Prince on any
stage. David has commanding stage presence and delivers
wonderfully in his every scene. Another great performance is
delivered by Thom Connolly also perfectly cast as a prince and
who also has a great singing voice. These two side by side
present comedic genius combined with perfect singing. Bravo on
delivering exceptional roles.
Chris Stone as narrator gives good timing and
personality, in an unexpected twist he manages to enter a scene
and shows his penchant and rich understanding of comedy. Mr.
Stone also plays the mysterious man in a performance that is
always enjoyable and dynamic. Mr. Stone shares the duet "No
More" with John-Michael Whitney, offering a splendid and
brilliantly supportive counterpoint to this immediately
legendary performance.
Becky LaBombard carries the difficult role of
the witch with superb finesse. Her witch is energetic and
imposing, and after her transformation, she is stunning. Ms
LaBombard is flawless and controls her songs with perfect pitch,
tone and personality. Whenever she is on stage the scene is
hers. She floored the audience more than once - her heart
wrenching Lament is haunting and deeply felt. She
goes further still with a soul stealing "Children Will
Listen". The role of the witch is written as a
prima role, and Ms. LaBombard, in an exceptional costume
perfeclty hits these wrenching songs and elevates each appearance.
In this role she is
without doubt the stage diva, the shows prima donna.
. Bravissimo!
A standout performance by newcomer Emmie Peppe
Winshill must be commended. This child has a great stage voice,
is highly expressive, and sings well. Her comedic timing is
right on the mark - she knows when to pause and how to react and
consistently creates uproariously funny scenes. At the same
time, she can present a somber attitude as in the great 2nd act
duet "No One is Alone" On a stage of extraordinary talent, Ms Winshill nonetheless stood out and held her own - she ran, or
skipped off with the first act. Bravo Ms Winshill (as I watched
Emmie in this role all I could think was 'this kid is made to
play Tina Denmark (Ruthless) !)
The superlative 2nd act performances of
John-Michael Whitney are of a quality that is a rarity to see on
stage and deserve special recognition. Mr. Whitney perfectly captured moments of pathos and
angst. The rendition of "No More" is instantly a classic and of
the most touching, finest performances to be seen. This song's delivery is inspired. Whitney is at the pinnacle of performing talent and
ability. John-Michael stole the thunder and made this part and
show his own. He managed to be both lead and at times revert to
supporting roles. His is a series of amazingly well defined
performances and his duet "No one is alone" is a premier
defining moment
of the show. Bravo on delivering one of the all time great
performances in Connecticut Musical Theater!
The direction of Joseph Keach-Longo is precise,
features dynamic movement and timing and characters that work
well together. The mannerisms and focus of each character and of
groups are perfectly coordinated.
Sound direction under Donna Schaffer is
energetic and tight. The orchestra brings each scene and song alive
with a perfect delivery.
- this is not a show to miss.
Cast:
CAST LIST
Baker = John-Michael Whitney
Baker's Wife = Cara Babich
Witch = Becky LaBombard
Rapunzel = Sarah Jones Valentine
Rapunzel's Prince = Thom Connolly
Cinderella = Carolyn Fisher
Cinderella's Prince/Wolf = David Pelletier
Cinderella's Stepmother = Diane Lareau AmEnde
Florinda = Stacy Constantine
Lucinda = Tara Abate
Cinderella's Father = Doug Stoyer
Cinderella's Mother/Little Red's Granny/Giant = Jenna Levitt
Little Red Riding Hood = Emmie Pepe Winshell
Narrator/Mysterious Man = Chris Stone
Jack's Mother = Lisa Abate
Jack = Greg Ludovici
Prince's Steward = Chris Rataic
Artistic Director = Joseph Keech-Longo
Musical Director = Donna Schaffer
Costumes: Brenda Frazier
Hats off to all involved!
[some pegs: people whose performance suggest
they will fit into other roles:Emmie Pepe Winshell
must play Tina Denmark in Ruthless.Greg Ludovici would deliver
an incredible Dickon in Secret Garden. (note that I mentioned
this to Greg after the show and he stated that he'd played it
twice and it's his favorite role)while were on Secret
Garden; Cara Babich should take a
shot at performing Lily.]
Playing at Cheney Hall, 177 Hartford Road in Manchester Nov 3 -
Nov 19.
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Tickets Available at door.
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Tickets:
860-647-9824
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Into the Woods
November 3, 4, 5, 9,
10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 19
Prices for all shows (except where noted) are $20 for general admission and $17
for seniors and students.
Thu,
Fri, Sat, @ 8PM
Sundays @ 2PM
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