Stephen Sondheim is the topmost musical theater lyricist and composer of the last and the current centuries. To hear everything, to get all his double entendres and turns of phrase, to appreciate his brilliant, almost operatic genius, takes many hearings.
In the cinema we experienced his “Sweeney Todd,” brilliantly played by Johnny Depp. San Diegans fortunately saw Cygnet Theatre’s fine production of “A Little Night Music” at the Old Town Theatre earlier this year. Now, on stage at Starlight Bowl through July 27, Sondheim fans might wish to see “Into the Woods.”
As many know, the work is a fractured fairy tale comprising bits and pieces of Brothers Grimm stories, which are woven into a new but familiar-seeming saga concerning a Baker (Tom Andrew) and his Wife (Carly Nykanen) and the quest they undertake to lift the infertility curse cast by an evil Witch (Leigh Scarritt). The moral is that by having the courage to go into the woods and confront the dangers there, we are able to solve our problems. A simple boy named Jack (Paul Peglar) and some magic beans prove that getting what one wants is more complicated than that even in a fairy tale. That is book writer James Lapine’s sometimes-murky point.
Meanwhile, we meet Jack’s Mother (Starlight veteran Patti Goodwin), Little Red Riding Hood (Lili Fuller), the Wolf (Mauricio Mendoza), Cinderella (Sarah Bermudez), her wicked Stepmother (Susan Stuber), her two Sisters (Jennifer Wilcove and Rory Peterson), two insincere Princes (Mendoza and Jason Heil) and Rapunzel (Lauren Maria Gira). Michael Grant Hall portrays the Narrator/Mysterious Man.
As in any ensemble this large, there are some weaker links. Mendoza, for instance, seems to be operating with a seriously frayed vocal instrument for which the voice teacher in the critic recommends complete and total rest. His roles as the Wolf and Cinderella’s Prince are pivotal to both plot and music, and sadly he waves semaphore as if to compensate for lack of voice. This spoils all the fun for one accustomed to two vocally strong princes duking it out in “Agony,” one of the piece’s terrific comedy numbers. Heil deserves a better partner. Were the critic also the casting director, it would be Randall Dodge. Those two would be equally stupefying, better than the originals.
The music may sound bouncy and familiar, but it is extremely complicated and challenging. One could go on and on about perfect local casting of all these roles, but out of regard for the company’s hard work, the temptation is put aside. Most come through with on-pitch singing and adequate musicianship and diction, all Sondheim essentials.
Totally up to the challenge we find the under-praised Scarritt, a musical theater goddess, actor and teacher who lives in our midst. She’s an artist who gives her utmost to every assignment ” for instance, her recent straight dramatic role in Diversionary’s “Blue Bonnet Court.” Despite the size of the Starlight venue, her performance as the Witch explores every nuance of meaning, from the tone-setting tale of her pillaged garden to her heart-wrenching reprise of “Children Will Listen.” Scarritt makes clear and articulate every note in her character’s considerable range. This performance alone is worth the price of admission.
Frosting on the cake is Andrew’s poignant performance as the Baker. This is a lovely, well-employed voice. He plays George Bailey once again this holiday season in Cygnet’s hit production of “It’s a Wonderful Life: The Radio Play.”
Meanwhile, don’t miss this opportunity to see “Into the Woods,” which plays at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays through July 27 at Starlight Bowl, Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park. For tickets and information, visit www.starlighttheatre.org or call (619) 544-STAR.
