Into the Woods.

Broadway comes to Brisbane as Ad Astra opens its new proscenium space, Galaxy, with Sondheim’s Into the Woods. A top-notch cast directed by Tim Hill (Merrily We Roll Along, Mamma Mia!, Rent) with musical direction by Ben Murray (A Very Naughty Christmas) and a wonderful on-stage band mean that this show is a hit from start to finish! Sondheim’s mash-up of fairytales is a complex ode to surviving childhood and questing through life’s challenges. Ad Astra uses this musical as a celebratory opening for their new Brisbane theatre space and as a spectacular showcase of Brisbane-based talent. The storytelling is tightly woven (the mid-1980’s two-act musical is quite long, but there are no dull moments), the stagecraft superb, and the cast a glittering chocolate box of treats with rich flavours from a range of recent stage musical success. This makes for an invigorating night out – especially as Ad Astra’s new space has a bar and spacious outdoor foyer for socialising before and after the show.

As the Narrator, James Shaw (Chicago, Wicked) cordially invites us into the magical woods where we first encounter the humble baker and his wife, played by the accomplished Stephen Hirst (Merrily We Roll Along, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)) and Heidi Enchelmaier (Wicked, Mamma Mia!). The bakers’ simple life could only be enhanced by the addition of a much-wanted child. But beware the desperate wish, especially when a magic solution is offered by a wicked witch – played to the hilt by Natasha Veselinovic (Peter and the Starcatcher, Les Miserables). Into this mix is thrown Carla Beard (Round the Twist: The Musical) as Red Riding Hood, Joshua Whitten (Dogman The Musical) as the Wolf, Jordan Malone (Wicked, Frozen) as Cinderella, Elliot Baker (Jesus Christ Superstar) as the Prince, Alex Watson (The Producers) and Aurélie Roque (The Wizard of Oz) as Jack (of Beanstalk fame) and his Mother, Aysa Garcia Wong (Pirates of Penzance) as Rapunzel, Jaya (The Boy From Oz) as Rapunzel’s Prince (doubling as the hilarious stepsister, Lucinda), Chloe Rose Taylor (Beauty and the Beast) as the Wicked Stepmother, Akansha Hungenahally (A Christmas Carol) as Florinda the stepsister, and Paige McKay (A Night at the Musicals) as the Giant and puppeteer for Milky White the cow! This ensemble is an incredibly talented assembly of entertainment jewels, with not one faux gem in the collection. Masterful direction, with the adroit Tim Hill at the helm, ensures that each star has their rightful moment in the spotlight, with plenty of space to applaud at the end of each song. Surprisingly, this doesn’t always happen, but it’s essential in this star-studded musical. Adding to the professional gleam of this production is outstanding choreography by Tess Hill, costumes by Tess Hill and Jem Hill, atmospheric lighting design by Wesley Bluff, scenic artistry by Aimee Sheather, and crisp sound by Mackinlay Carr.

The first Act sets up the quest for the bakers as they set off into the woods to seek the witch’s items. We encounter enjoyable stage musical fare such as ‘Into the Woods’ and ‘A Very Nice Prince’ and comic turns such as the Wolf’s ‘Hello, Little Girl’. There is a smattering of light panto moments alongside operatic drama (enjoyed by the very young to the quite senior in the opening night audience). The Prince and his bro have the wonderful recurring ‘Agony’ theme tune as they first lament unrequited love for Rapunzel and Cinderella, and then (in Act 2) confess a longing for something new – namely Sleeping Beauty and Snow White! The second Act covers the darker side of fairytale life. Sondheim allows his singers a warmer, lower register as the themes become more complex. Sondheim and Lapine worked on Into the Woods in the mid-1980s and the constant threat of darkness then is as relevant today. Sondheim admits to working through his own childhood with this work, but he also loves puzzles and so there is a satisfaction to the way the multiple stories fit together. The composer would have been in his mid-50s when he worked on this musical, and he was also mentoring the 26-year-old Jonathan Larson (Rent, Tick, Tick, Boom!) who spent some time shadowing on Into the Woods. The musical has a theme about a desperate need for a child and Sondheim has confessed a regret at not having children, so no wonder this longing rings true. But this deep-seated wish can be substituted for any hope and desire, and I guess that’s why Into the Woods has something for everyone. Seeing this production felt like being part of Brisbane theatre history in the making, and is highly recommended for a magical night out! The matinee on Sunday 5 October also includes a post-show Q&A with the cast.

Beth Keehn

Find out more: www.adastracreativity.com/productions/into-the-woods