Review: 'Woods' lively, well executed

Audience members who got to sneak a peak Into The Woods last night were treated to a well executed rendition of the Steven Sondheim musical. The play opened with a lively, well choreographed prologue in which the show's narrator and company introduced the main characters. Act I of the show took familiar fable friends -- such as Little Red Ridinghood, Cinderella and Rapunzel -- and masterfully meshed them into an enchanting journey through the woods "to sell, to give, to lift a spell, to go to the festival." The three lead characters, the caring baker, played by Engineering graduate student Philip Resnik, the baker's wife, played by College senior Lori Horowitz, and the cackling evil witch, played by College senior Miriam Zibbell, carried the show with their consistently solid performances. Extra kudos go to Horowitz for her splendid portrayal of the baker's domineering wife. College sophomore Megan Wozniak was also good as the spunky, bratty, know-it-all Little Red Ridinghood. The actors' performances were enhanced by creative scenery, such as a milky-white cow, made of chicken wire, plaster of paris, and set on wheels. The orchestra, conducted by Jody Applebaum, also helped the performance. Clad in purple silk and gold spandex the two fickle princes, played by College senior Jeffrey Coon and College sophomore Brian Reed, offered comic relief in the middle of Act I by agonizing over their respective love for Rapunzel and Cinderella. Each telling the other brother how fantastic he was, the two declared that the women "must be mad" not to return their love. Act II of the musical started off slowly, but was quickly saved by the second version of the song "Agony," performed by the ever suave, ever debonair, and ever funny princes. The song "Your Fault" performed by the Baker, Jack, Little Red Ridinghood, the witch and Cinderella showed the professional touch that the director, Danny Peak, added to the show. Although some of the show's energy was lost during the second act, overall it was a well-produced and well-performed musical. Further performances are scheduled for tonight, tomorrow night and November 21 through 23 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Annenberg box office and on Locust Walk.

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