SRT’s ‘Into the Woods’: A Jubilant Romp

As exhilarating and colorful in its own way as Yosemite in the fall, Sierra Repertory Theatre’s “Into the Woods” is a darkly comical delight that has arrived just in time for the All Hallows season.

Now playing through early November, the Stephen Sondheim-James Lapine classic was superbly chosen. Co-directed by SRT Executive Producer Scott Viets and Artistic Director Jerry Lee, the latter also takes on the key role of the Baker opposite the ever impressive Camryn Elias, cast as his Wife.

Yearning for a child, the couple remains barren due to a curse of a vengeful Witch, played by Courtney Glass, whose stage command is truly terrifying when she is hideous and remains deeply unsettling after the lifting of the curse that made her that way. It is the Witch with whom the main characters each make a pact to be granted a single wish that will reward them with their greatest desire. It is into the woods where they are all drawn to find and lose their way, ultimately discovering that choices have impacts and consequences.

As the play borrows characters from a number of Grimm Brothers’ tales, the cast of characters is a lively one to say the least. SRT power couple Laurie and Lee Strawn respectively play Jack’s (as in the Beanstalk) Mother and the Narrator/Mysterious Man, who is curiously linked to the Baker. So is Rapunzel as it turns out, played by Destiny Denny-Ellis. Recently seen in “HAIR” she is an exquisitely emotive singer.

Then there is Jack, energetically played by Summerville HIgh junior Austin Paris, who has been affiliated with SRT since early grammar school and who played the younger brother to Lee in “Elf.” As Cinderella, Taylor Tveten, who was equally stunning in “HAIR,” delivers a sweet and sweeping performance. Her stage presence as a singer and dancer is beautiful to hear and watch.

Her evil Stepmother, SRT stalwart Brenda O’Brien, is wickedly funny, as are both Stepsisters, Hana Culbreath and Maya Hays. As the spirit of Cinderella’s Mother, retired local choral director Madeline Young is as wonderful as she was as Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother in SRT’s last season staging of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella.”

Miguel Ragel Wilson (“HAIR,” “Route 66,” et al) is deliciously devilish in the dual role of Cinderella’s Prince and wicked Wolf. Collins Rush (“The Drowsy Chaperone”) is similarly adept as his brother, Rapunzel’s Prince. As Little Red Riding Hood, Jackie Thompson (“HAIR,” “The Play That Goes Wrong,” “Cinderella,”), is a comedic force. Buried within the apparently cumbersome confines of a wearable puppet, Alex Figueroa literally embodies the character of Jack’s cow and best friend Milky White and certainly appears to be having a good time doing it.

Sondheim’s songs, which are generally challenging to sing, soar as they are performed by this cast and the choreography is top-notch. The cleverly designed, two-level set exudes spooky ambiance while providing the ensemble members nooks and crannies to hide in and plenty of space to move and dance.

Performances run through Nov. 10 at Sierra Rep’s East Sonora Theatre, 13891 Mono Way, Sonora. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday nights at 7; 2 p.m., matinees on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. with Wednesday matinees at noon. For more details visit sierrarep.org.