A show that put a ‘spell’ on URI: ‘Into the Woods’

At the University of Rhode Island, the theatre department ventured “Into the Woods” at the Fine Arts center last Thursday and will continue to until Sunday, April 30.

According to Musical Theater International (MTI), “Into the Woods” was adapted from James Lapine, the author of the book. The late Stephen Sondheim, an American composer and lyricist, turned the book into a musical.

According to MTI, the story follows a baker and his wife who wish to have a child, Cinderella who wishes to go to the king’s festival and Jack who wishes his cow would give milk. When the baker and his wife learn they can’t have a child due to a witch’s curse, they set off on a journey to lift the curse. Through their journey, they meet other characters and help them through their own predicaments.

Throughout the show, every cast member had a great performance. Naomi Taylor, a fourth-year who played the witch, showed the changing emotion from Act 1 to Act 2. 

In the first act, the witch has a wicked persona and shows persistence while interacting with the baker and his wife. She’s meant to bring humor and shock towards the audience. However, in the second act, she becomes vulnerable while singing “Witch’s Lament.” 

She’s singing to Rapunzel and explaining what a good mother she tried to be for her. With her facial expressions and change in tone, Taylor pulled it off.

Zoe Pepin, a fourth-year who played Cinderella, killed it with her songs but also the facial expressions she made while waiting for her line in either a scene or a song. Most people think of Cinderella as hopeful and Pepin would look up and smile in hopes of going to the festival in the first act.

Lastly, Sarah Elizabeth Taylor, a fourth-year student, played three characters in the show. Taylor was a narrator, Milky White the cow and Cinderella’s mother. From the acting to the costume changes, her portrayals were spectacular. She played all three characters effortlessly and her performance was impeccable.

Not only were the actors great, the stage was amazing. It consisted of many staircases with bookshelves decorated with trees and a table to show a library. It also served as Rapunzel’s tower and the woods itself. There were also many actors holding trees as other characters walked to perform their scene.

  The orchestra accompanying the songs were in harmony with the actors and played catchy tunes. The instruments consisted of two keyboards, cello, violin, viola, clarinet, flute, bassoon, trumpet, two horns and a bass.

One of the best songs in the musical is “Agony” sung by Cinderella and Rapunzel’s princes and reflecting how hard it is to get their desired princesses. Cinderella’s prince sings about how he has a hard time finding the girl he danced with at the festival because she keeps hiding and running away and can’t remember her face. He’s wondering why it’s taking so long and if she is avoiding him for some reason.

On the other hand, Rapunzel’s prince constantly misses the chance to ask Rapunzel to let her hair down because her singing is beautiful. He wants her to be his wife but he can’t find the right time to get to her.

Overall, the cast put on a great performance. To watch their journey unfold, there are three remaining shows you can attend in Will Theater in the Fine Arts Center. 

The dates are Friday, April 28, Saturday, April 29 and Sunday, April 30. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $18 for senior citizens, URI students, faculty and staff.