Director’s Vision: Concept and Effectiveness
It is no secret that directing a musical production is a complex process, especially if the key is to create captivating and surprising reimagination and reinterpretation of traditional fairy tales. Lapine and Sondheim made such a perfectly functioning and successful theatrical work of art, Into the Woods. It was possible because they had a complex yet clear concept of how their musical should look and sound. It is a playful and postmodern yet very dedicated and passionate rethinking of the work of the Brothers Grimm.
A director can create a functional and entertaining musical with thematic content and a story like Into the Woods only with such a semi-serious and semi-ironic approach. Their vision was right, and the worldwide success of the production and its multiple revivals indicate that it was an effective decision. This musical was two and a half hours of pure enjoyment for me.
Design Elements and Their Contribution to the Director’s Concept
The dedication and passion of the director and composer for the musical can be seen well in such design elements as the theatrical scenery and the costumes and make-up of the actors. The clothes and make-up are highly detailed and visually representative of the actors’ characters. For example, the costumes of Cinderella’s Prince and Rapunzel’s Prince look relatively historically accurate. They could be used in a historical play, just like any other piece of clothing from Into the Woods. The theatrical set is also immersive and allows one to experience the atmosphere of an old European fairy tale.
Acting is what makes this Broadway production playful and postmodern. Lapine combined two acting styles in this musical: traditional and comedic. Some people on stage play seriously, while others act deliberately overly expressive or intentionally show a minimum of emotions. An example of both is the scene when Cinderella’s Prince seduces the Baker’s Wife, and they kiss. Several actors break their characters or even the fourth wall periodically, like the actress of Little Red Riding Hood. The viewer can see it when she first appears on the set in the Baker’s house.
Interpreting the Title: Reflections on Central Themes
Into the Woods is a simple and concise title that is also very descriptive of the topics the musical discusses. This story teaches viewers to accept such truths of life as consequences, social interconnectedness, the interdependence of actions, the importance of the past, and the inevitable injustice. The title prepares viewers to experience a dark, challenging, fairytale-like journey. However, it also foreshadows that the adventure will be instructive and life-changing for them.
Performance Analysis: A Standout Actor’s Character Choices
For me, the performance by Danielle Ferland, the actress who played Little Red Riding Hood, was the best element of the production. In all of her scenes, she uses her body, especially her hands, to enhance her display of emotions or to amplify the comedy. I also noticed that she mimicked children’s body language to portray Little Red Riding Hood better since the original Brothers Grimm character is a little girl. Ferland’s voice acting is masterful and hilarious; she perfectly understands when to change intonation from childish to adult and vice versa to enhance the director’s intended emotional effect in the narration. Her time on stage is relatively less than many of the other characters, but she dominates every scene she is in.