Musical Theatre West’s ‘Into the Woods’ has Downey connections

Cinderella and the Prince in Musical Theatre West’s production of “Into the Woods.” (Photo courtesy Musical Theatre West)

In April, Downey Unified School District’s Stauffer Middle School presented “Into the Woods Jr,” directed by Andrea Pyle, that transformed the school gym into a magical theatre space and production. That adaptation just gave us the first act. There’s more.

At the same time, Musical Theatre West (MTW) presented a semiprofessional production at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center under a special contract with the Actor’s Equity Association. And there are a couple of Downey connections. It ran March 28 through April 13.

With the closure of Downey’s nationally recognized Downey Civic Light Opera (DCLO) in 2013, MTW is the only theatre in the Los Angeles area solely devoted to musical theatre. Much like the DCLO was the original vision and leadership of Downey’s John Hume, it is the leadership of MTW’s Executive Director/Producer Paul Garman and his team that have grown over its 73-year journey from a group of volunteers performing in a high school auditorium to one of the largest and most respected theatrical production companies in Southern California.

MTW began as the Whittier Civic Light Opera in 1952. During most of the 1960s and 1970s, the group remained an all-volunteer effort. In 1977, the group moved to the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. During the 1980s and 1990s, the company evolved as one of the top musical theatres in the area.

In 1988, Downey’s Larry Dusich, artistic director of DCLO, convened a luncheon of musical theatre producers, including Garman, from throughout the area at the Downey Theatre. Dusich facilitated the scheduling of seasons so the theatres would not overlap doing the same shows. And they began to share resources, including costumes from original touring shows.

MTW’s major transition was in 1997 when it began to produce shows at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. It has become the largest arts producer in the Long Beach area. The Carpenter Theatre is beautifully designed, and there isn’t a bad seat in the house.

Utilizing professional talent, producing regional and world premiere musicals while honoring classic musical theatre, Musical Theatre West’s mission is to enrich the community with Broadway quality productions, preserve musical theatre as a unique American art form, and expose people of all backgrounds to the excitement of musical theatre.

INTO THE WOODS

“Into the Woods” features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, with the book by James Lapine. Several of the younger people at the show told me it was their favorite musical.

Garman says “Into the Woods is an imaginative adventure that speaks to both adults and children. We’re thrilled to bring Sondheim's magical world to life with MTW. It's the ideal way to share quality time together, offering plenty of humor, charm, and timeless life lessons that will resonate with everyone in the audience."

ACT ONE

“Into the Woods” follows a baker and his wife who are cursed and cannot have children. They seek to break the curse in search of magical beanstalk, a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, and hair as yellow as corn. Along the way, they encounter fairy tale characters like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack and the Beanstalk, whose wishes also intertwine with their quest.

ACT TWO

The characters, initially content after achieving their wishes, face the consequences of their actions and the return of the giant. The community must come together to save themselves, but sacrifices must be made. The happy endings of the first act begin to unravel as the characters confront the reality of their choices and the dangers that lurk in the woods. The musical explores the consequences of wishes and the price of achieving them, highlighting themes of determination, sacrifice, and the complexities of fairy tales. Be careful what you wish for.

Could it also be a parable commenting on our current political situation with common people in search of their American Dream confronted by the actions of a giant they have created?

PRODUCTION

It’s hard to believe this production had only two weeks of rehearsal. It helps that many of the professionals had previously performed the play and most would be familiar with the score.

Veteran director Kari Hayter’s strong, robust staging focuses on performances. Conductor Anthony Zediker and his orchestra gives us a first-rate score. Choreographer Christine Negherbon gives life to the songs. Tom Buderwitz’s use of 3D Theatrical Sets literally grow on you. I have seen costume designer Elizabeth Cox’s work around LA’s theatre scene. They add color and texture, the mood is further enhanced by the lighting from Brandon Baruch and sound by Cece Smith.

CAST HIGHLIGHTS

Wayne Bryan (Narrator/Mysterious Man) is a highlight of the evening commanding our attention throughout in an honest and captivating performance. Bryan grew up in Downey and attended DUSD schools. As the former Producing Artistic Director of the Music Theater Witchita he would spend his time in Witchita in the summer, returning to Downey during the rest of the year. There he produced 168 Broadway musicals, directing 56 of them.

Madison Claire Parks (Cinderella), returns to MTW after touring nationally with Wicked. Her performance of the songs are brilliant, and she gets a hold on us as an actor too.

Amanda Angeles (Little Red), fresh out of USC, plays my favorite character, and she holds her own with veteran cast members.

Daebreon Poiema (Witch) is both hysterical and marvelous. She is vocally magnificent. My only reservation here is that everything is played big while there is potential for a more dimensional performance.

Cayman Ilika (Baker’s Wife) uses her beautiful vocals along with a comic touch to create a memorable character.

Derek Manson (the Baker) a veteran of LA’s intimate theatre scene, matches her comic touch.

Richard Bermudez (Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf) gives us simply a knockout performance in these two great roles.

Davide Costa (Jack), fresh out of UCLA, gives us touching innocence and naivete.

Together, the entire cast and creative team give us an enchanting theatrical experience on a massive scale.

This is a dense script with enough plot twists to get you tangled. The actors wear wireless microphones. Yet there were times I couldn’t hear, make things out, or follow along, and I wasn’t in the nosebleeds.

NEXT UP AT MUSICAL THEATRE WEST

MTW presents “The Buddy Holly Story” exploring the life and music of one rock and roll’s pioneers July 11-27. Buddy Holly is a giant and one of my favorites. He inspired me long before I met Mr. Sondheim. Tickets start at $20.