‘Into the Woods Jr.’ a G-rated pleasure
Musical Theater Intensive presents popular musical at Laurel Mill Playhouse
Having excised the adult themes of Stephen Sondheim’s and James Lapine’s popular musical and Disney fantasy film “Into The Woods,” the G-rated junior adaptation that opened Aug. 4 at Laurel Mill Playhouse drives the cute meter through the roof.
Enacted by children and young adults ages 8 to 18, the production is the culmination of Laurel Mill Playhouse’s summer Musical Theater Intensive program. Since mid-June, nearly 30 budding thespians have been rehearsing under the direction of Michael Hartsfield and returning playhouse musical director Mimi McGinniss.
Produced here by Maureen Rogers, the hour-long “Into the Woods Jr.” musical features beloved characters from the Grimm Brothers’ “Cinderella,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Rapunzel” fairy tales, performing some of the musical numbers that appear in the original 1987 Tony award-winning Broadway show.
But “Into the Woods Jr.” wraps up before the story turns dark and risqué — a different turn from the full version.
Visually, the playhouse set and lighting designed by Hartsfield accentuate the childlike virtue of the modified version. The same can be said for the ever-so-fun fairytale costumes overseen by Lynn Keller and whimsical sound effects designed by the show’s directors.
In the main plot, a childless baker and his wife who’ve been cursed by a witch embark on a quest “into the woods” in search of four magical objects: a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn and a slipper as pure as gold. The pair must deliver these offerings to the witch before “the chime of midnight in three days’ time” in exchange for lifting the curse of infertility.
From the moment the characters join narrator Mikki Farias in the prologue, the youngsters perform Sondheim’s rich music and lyrics with boundless energy in concert with members of the ensemble appearing as graceful trees.
The eldest actor, Emily Bruun,18, Cinderella’s mother, is a regular at the little theater and shows her experience with a smooth stage presence. Also turning in strong performances are Paige Miller as Cinderella, Brooke Miller as the witch, Mary Kilgallon as the baker, Loraine Hamlett as the baker’s wife, Carly Pometto as Little Red Riding Hood and Rachel Kilgallon as the wolf.
Other members of the cast delivering fine performances are: Jalen Thomas as Cinderella’s stepmother; Tori Simmons as Cinderella’s father; Audra Dew and Josephine Coward splitting duties in various shows as Florinda; Tiana Bell and Moriah Franklin- McGruder sharing the role of Lucinda; and Anthony Alessandrini as Cinderella’s prince. Tabitha Dickson, 8, was absolutely adorable as Milky-White Cow, and shares that role with Colleen Dunne.
Also performing are Maxwell Coward as Jack; Jaci Molina as Jack’s mother; Sabrina Swing and Hope Moorman splitting the Granny role; Kayla Tucker and Yvonna Smack as Mysterious Man; Valerie Swing and Carly Levender as Rapunzel; Gareth Swing and Isabella Dodro as Rapunzel’s prince; and Delaney McGinniss as steward.
“Into the Woods Jr.” continues weekends through Aug. 20 at Laurel Mill Playhouse, 508 Main St. Performances are 2 p.m.
Sundays, Aug. 13 and 20; and 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 18-19. Tickets are $22 general; $17 for students ages 16-18, active duty military and seniors 65 and older. For details and tickets, go to laurelmillplayhouse .org.
Enacted by children and young adults ages 8 to 18, the production is the culmination of Laurel Mill Playhouse’s summer Musical Theater Intensive program. Since mid-June, nearly 30 budding thespians have been rehearsing under the direction of Michael Hartsfield and returning playhouse musical director Mimi McGinniss.
Produced here by Maureen Rogers, the hour-long “Into the Woods Jr.” musical features beloved characters from the Grimm Brothers’ “Cinderella,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Little Red Riding Hood” and “Rapunzel” fairy tales, performing some of the musical numbers that appear in the original 1987 Tony award-winning Broadway show.
But “Into the Woods Jr.” wraps up before the story turns dark and risqué — a different turn from the full version.
Visually, the playhouse set and lighting designed by Hartsfield accentuate the childlike virtue of the modified version. The same can be said for the ever-so-fun fairytale costumes overseen by Lynn Keller and whimsical sound effects designed by the show’s directors.
In the main plot, a childless baker and his wife who’ve been cursed by a witch embark on a quest “into the woods” in search of four magical objects: a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn and a slipper as pure as gold. The pair must deliver these offerings to the witch before “the chime of midnight in three days’ time” in exchange for lifting the curse of infertility.
From the moment the characters join narrator Mikki Farias in the prologue, the youngsters perform Sondheim’s rich music and lyrics with boundless energy in concert with members of the ensemble appearing as graceful trees.
The eldest actor, Emily Bruun,18, Cinderella’s mother, is a regular at the little theater and shows her experience with a smooth stage presence. Also turning in strong performances are Paige Miller as Cinderella, Brooke Miller as the witch, Mary Kilgallon as the baker, Loraine Hamlett as the baker’s wife, Carly Pometto as Little Red Riding Hood and Rachel Kilgallon as the wolf.
Other members of the cast delivering fine performances are: Jalen Thomas as Cinderella’s stepmother; Tori Simmons as Cinderella’s father; Audra Dew and Josephine Coward splitting duties in various shows as Florinda; Tiana Bell and Moriah Franklin- McGruder sharing the role of Lucinda; and Anthony Alessandrini as Cinderella’s prince. Tabitha Dickson, 8, was absolutely adorable as Milky-White Cow, and shares that role with Colleen Dunne.
Also performing are Maxwell Coward as Jack; Jaci Molina as Jack’s mother; Sabrina Swing and Hope Moorman splitting the Granny role; Kayla Tucker and Yvonna Smack as Mysterious Man; Valerie Swing and Carly Levender as Rapunzel; Gareth Swing and Isabella Dodro as Rapunzel’s prince; and Delaney McGinniss as steward.
“Into the Woods Jr.” continues weekends through Aug. 20 at Laurel Mill Playhouse, 508 Main St. Performances are 2 p.m.
Sundays, Aug. 13 and 20; and 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 18-19. Tickets are $22 general; $17 for students ages 16-18, active duty military and seniors 65 and older. For details and tickets, go to laurelmillplayhouse .org.
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