Displaying items by tag: Britain Gebhardt
'Into the Woods' an Exciting Musical Fairytale Mashup at Chopin Theater
I’ll admit it: I knew little about “Into the Woods” before seeing the new production at Chicago’s Chopin Theatre. I’m not particularly fond of the composer, Stephen Sondheim. I’d bailed early watching the 2014 film with Meryl Streep. So I challenged myself to find out why it is so popular. And now I know: it’s really good.
At a venue like Chopin Theatre, in the intimate downstairs theater, you’ll have a chance to appreciate the dark humor of the book by James Lapine, and music and lyrics by Sondheim. No doubt you will come away as I did, experiencing the power mined from a most creative mash-up of four familiar fairy tales, and very much liking its dark, funny humor.
Lapine and Sondheim tap four classic fairy tales—Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Cinderella—building a cast of characters that for the first time meet each other. And we discover on stage they have a lot in common.
Among the cast are two princes, Shea Hopkins as Cinderella’s Prince and Jonathan Allsop as Rapunzel’s Prince, who bond in their shared quests. Princessy figures Cinderella (Madison Kauffman) and Rapunzel (Ismael Garcia) share the spotlight. And then there are the younger innocent players, Little Red (aka Riding Hood, Anna Selbert) and Jack (Kevin Parra) of Beanstalk fame. Both get into trouble for not following their mothers’ orders.
And of course we see those mean-spirited characters, The Witch (Stephanie Stockstill) who entrapped Rapunzel in that stairless tower and Cinderella’s Stepmother (Emily Goldberg)—though these two don’t really connect.
Bits of the classic stories are recounted, but “Into the Woods” faces us squarely with the shadowy parts. Yes Rapunzel let down her long hair for that prince and they fell in love. But there is more in Grimm’s Fairy Tales (I reread them all after seeing the show): The Witch cuts off Rapunzel’s hair, banishes her to wander a wasteland, and tricks the Prince into climbing up. He falls into a thornbush and pierces his eyes. Another element I hadn’t recalled until my rereading of Rapunzel: a couple aiming to have a child are the origins of the long-haired beauty’s predicament. (This couple seems to be drawn from the original tale, in which the husband surrenders Rapunzel to compensate The Witch for his theft from her garden.) In the play, that husband becomes The Baker (Kevin Webb) who with The Baker's Wife (Sonia Goldberg) goes on a quest in order to have a child.
Sondheim and Lapine take these stories into uncharted territory in Act 2 as the characters suffer retributions unleashed for their selfish acts. As originally told, after Jack sells a cow for those magic beans, he climbs into the Giant’s lair and robs him, then kills the Giant as he pursues him down the beanstalk. The play adds a riff to that tale: the Giant’s widow (Honey West) chases Jack and wreaks havoc in the kingdom in her pursuit of justice.
The stories are woven together into a cohesive whole guided by Narrator, played so remarkably well by August Forman, who doubles as Mysterious Man. It is the strength of Forman’s performance that makes the many moving parts fit together; they are onstage continuously and tirelessly. It’s truly remarkable to behold.
Kokandy Productions’ show, directed and tightly choreographed by Derek Van Barham, meets the demands of this funny and inventive book by Lapine, with music and lyrics by Sondheim. Entrances and action are timed with exacting precision.
A pair of grand pianos are center stage, with keyboardists Ariana Miles and Evelyn Ryan replacing full orchestration, and fully integrated to the action around them. Kudos to these two for their exemplary artistry.
What’s not to like in “Into the Woods”? Just one thing: that Wolf? His ears are way too round and small.
At its 1986 Broadway debut, “Into the Woods” was seen by many as an allegory for the havoc wreaked by the early AIDS crisis. It’s easy to see why during Act 2. Sondheim has demurred from that interpretation, and now nearly 50 years later, there is nothing explicitly alluding to AIDS. Our contemporary climate crisis fits aptly into interpretations of the play now. And that is a tribute to the work’s timeless character, and longstanding appeal.
“Into the Woods” runs through December 22, 2024 at The Chopin Theatre in Chicago.
Standing Room Only Crowd for Chicago’s Leading Theater Artistic Directors
04 September 2026 in Theatre BuzzIt must have been heavenly for the creative leaders of Goodman, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare and Court, Chicago’s top regional theaters,…
The Best of Us: Marriott Theatre’s Come From Away
03 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewCome From Away begins from a place of deep uncertainty, yet what emerges is a story grounded in the steady,…
Steppenwolf Theatre Presents Revival of TOPDOG/UNDERDOG September 17 – November 1 / Rehearsals Underway
02 September 2026 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to launch its 51st Season with Suzan-Lori Parks' Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Topdog/Underdog, helmed by Tony Award-winning…
Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project Gala: Radiant & Sumptuous at the Harris
01 September 2026 in Dance in ReviewThe first thing you notice about the meticulously curated Black dance performance held at the Harris Theater over the weekend…
Vape! The Grease Parody Is High-Energy Fluff
01 September 2026 in Theatre in ReviewVape! The Grease Parody, currently running at Chicago’s Apollo Theater through January, takes a satirical swing at the iconic 1978…
BrightSide Theatre Announces "Monte Carlo Night" 15th Anniversary Gala and Fundraiser on September 25
01 September 2026 in Theatre BuzzBrightSide Theatre will celebrate its 15th anniversary with "Monte Carlo Night," a gala and fundraiser, on Friday, September 25, 2026,…
GDC Hosts 19th Anniversary “Dancing With The Giordano Stars” Ballroom Dance Competition October 8th
01 September 2026 in Upcoming DanceGiordano Dance Chicago (GDC) hosts its highly anticipated 19th Anniversary "Dancing With The Giordano Stars" ballroom dance competition 7-11 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8…
A Loving, Delight‑Packed Celebration: Joan Crawford Goes to Hell Marks 25 Years of Handbag
31 August 2026 in Theatre in ReviewHell in a Handbag Productions celebrates its 25th year with a revival of Joan Crawford Goes to Hell, a sharp,…
An Immersive Sunday in the Park with George at Kokandy Productions
31 August 2026 in Theatre in ReviewComposition, tension, balance, light, and harmony come together seamlessly in Kokandy Productions’ revival of Sondheim’s opus, ‘Sunday in the Park…
Robert Falls to Direct the World Premiere of FLYING MONKEYS, by L.C. Bernadine, at Redtwist Theatre, Dec 6 - Jan 17
31 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreAward-winning Redtwist Theatre, launching its 22nd season with Prayer Circle, September 17 - November 8, by Erik Gernand and directed by Executive Artistic Director Dusty Brown, announces today…
Buffalo Theatre Ensemble Names Daniel Millhouse as New Managing Artistic Director
31 August 2026 in Theatre BuzzBuffalo Theatre Ensemble (BTE), the professional theater company in residence at the McAninch Arts Center (MAC), is pleased to announce that, in keeping…
Promethean Theatre Ensemble to offer talkbacks after selected performances BLOOD OF THE LAMB, opening September 5 and 6
31 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatrePromethean Theatre Ensemble announced today it will offer post-show audience talkbacks following two performances of their Chicago premiere of BLOOD OF…
City Lit’s Shane Saddles Up a Classic Western With Fresh Heart
30 August 2026 in Theatre in ReviewCity Lit Theatre’s world premiere of Shane, adapted for the stage and directed by Mark Pracht, brings a fresh, nostalgic…
In Sisters, Barrie Turns an AI Fable into an Impressive Character Study
29 August 2026 in Theatre in ReviewThe rise of artificial intelligence raises many questions about its effect on humanity. What does it mean if we become…
Buddy Holly’s Brilliance, Reawakened on the Drury Lane Stage
27 August 2026 in Theatre in ReviewDrury Lane Theatre opens its latest musical with a warm jolt of rock ’n’ roll energy as Buddy – The…
Kokandy's JEKYLL & HYDE Extended by Popular Demand
26 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreBroadway In Chicago is pleased to announce a darkly delicious Halloween surprise: Kokandy Productions’ critically acclaimed revival of JEKYLL & HYDE will be extended…
Following Obama Center premiere, Manual Cinema's acclaimed productions return to Chicago's Studebaker Theater
26 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreChicago-based Emmy Award-winning performance collective and film/video production company Manual Cinema premiered two new hand-animated films at the Obama Presidential Center Museum…
Playmakers Lab’s That’s Weird Grandma’s 25th Birthday is a fine place to giggle
25 August 2026 in Theatre in ReviewIf you need an energy boost, skip the can of Monster and get yourself, plus loved ones of any age,…
Victory Gardens Theater presents the World Premiere of Zayd Ayers Dohrn's The Humanities September 10 through October 4
25 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreVictory Gardens Theater (2433 N. Lincoln Avenue), an historic incubator for new play development, proudly announces the World Premiere staging of The…
Lookingglass Kowalski starring Johnny Galecki and Jacob Moskovitz September 15 through October 25
25 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreJoining the previously announced stars of Kowalski Johnny Galecki ("The Big Bang Theory," "The Little Dog Laughed") as Tennessee Williams and Jacob Moskovitz ("Elle") as Marlon…
Shattered Globe Theatre Opens 36th Season with Midwest Premiere of VLADIMIR October 2 – November 14 at Theater Wit
25 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreShattered Globe Theatre is pleased to open its 36th Season with the Midwest premiere of Erika Sheffer's Vladimir, an unflinching drama of resistance directed by Ensemble Member Lou Contey*,…
TICKETS FOR A 20 RETURNS WITH SPECIALLY PRICED $20 TICKETS FROM HOT TIX AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 14, 2026
24 August 2026 in Theatre BuzzThe League of Chicago Theatres announces the return of Tickets for a 20. From Thursday, August 27 through Monday, September 14, 2026, theatregoers can…
Babes With Blades's announces William Shakespeare's KING LEAR, October 15 - November 21
24 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreBabes With Blades Theatre Company’s (BWBTC), now presenting the world premiere of yo ho. through August 29 at The Edge Off-Broadway, shares the…
BrightSide Theatre announces THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL, to play October 2 - 18
24 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreBrightSide Theatre has announced cast and crew for THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL - the kickoff production of BrightSide's 15th Anniversary season.…
35th Annual Dance for Life Saturated with Excellence
23 August 2026 in Dance in ReviewFrom its beginning in 1992 on the tiny stage of a modest theater, Dance for Life (DFL) has grown and…
Chicago Shakespeare Theater announces Two Shakespeare Productions in Repertory beginning October 13 - January 3
21 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreChicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces the cast and creative team for the company's fall Shakespeare Repertory productions, an unforgettable theatrical event at the heart…
Rising star Jacob Moskovitz to play Marlon Brando in the Chicago presentation of Kowalski at Lookingglass Theatre
20 August 2026 in Theatre in ReviewRising star Jacob Moskovitz ("Elle") has joined the cast of Kowalski as Marlon Brando, alongside previously announced Chicago theater veteran Johnny Galecki ("The Big Bang Theory," "The Little…
McHenry Outdoor Theater: Nostalgia With a Modern Heartbeat
20 August 2026 in Theatre BuzzThere was a particular kind of magic to seeing a movie outside when I was a kid in 1970s Chicago…
‘Anatomy of a Suicide’ Is Hard to Watch, But Not Because of the Subject
18 August 2026 in Theatre in ReviewPerhaps surprisingly, Anatomy of a Suicide is not an overwhelmingly emotionally gripping play, nor is it horrifying. Instead, it vividly…
Gwydion Theatre Company presents The Chicago Premiere of Por’ Knockers at the Greenhouse Theater’s Studio 44 September 10 - October 4
18 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThis narrative tracks five individuals within the "People’s Diasporatic Party"—outfitted in corporate attire—as they take refuge in a desolate East…
Latest Articles
-
Standing Room Only Crowd for Chicago’s Leading Theater Artistic Directors
Written by Bill EslerIt must have been heavenly for the creative leaders of Goodman, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare and Court, Chicago’s top regional theaters, to be greeted by a standing room only crowd. But there they were, on a panel moderated by the eminent… -
The Best of Us: Marriott Theatre’s Come From Away
Written by Kimberly KatzCome From Away begins from a place of deep uncertainty, yet what emerges is a story grounded in the steady, everyday kindness people offer when they have nothing else to give. Rather than revisiting the events of September 11 themselves,… -
Steppenwolf Theatre Presents Revival of TOPDOG/UNDERDOG September 17 – November 1 / Rehearsals Underway
Written by Buzz Center StageSteppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to launch its 51st Season with Suzan-Lori Parks' Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Topdog/Underdog, helmed by Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon, who returns to Steppenwolf following his hit production of King James. Ensemble members Glenn Davis (Windfall, Purpose–Chicago/Broadway, King James) and Namir Smallwood (Windfall, The Book of… -
Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project Gala: Radiant & Sumptuous at the Harris
Written by Mitchell OldhamThe first thing you notice about the meticulously curated Black dance performance held at the Harris Theater over the weekend is language. The eloquence and weight of the words used to explain why the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project (CBDLP)…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.