Cappies Review: 'Into The Woods' At St. Andrew's Episcopal School

By Justin Pokrant of Westfield High School

Something dreadful is stomping "Into the Woods" of St. Andrew's Episcopal School, where whispers dance in the wind and danger lurks behind every twist and turn.

Stray not from the trodden trail, for when fairytales collide, one simple wish can unleash a cascade of calamity. Will this tale's "once upon a time" lead to a "happily ever after?" Premiering at the Old Globe Theatre in 1986 before moving to Broadway in 1987, "Into the Woods" features a book by James Lapine and a score by Stephen Sondheim.

A bewitched baker and his wife long to bear a child, but things get a bit messy when they meet four Brothers Grimm greats: Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Rapunzel. Where does this intertwined path take our intrepid travelers? Into the woods, of course!

Though the woods can be nightmarish, Gabriel Martinez (Baker) navigated them with strength and stamina. Martinez was on a mission, after all, and evident in his ability to pair enthusiasm in "It Takes Two" with endearment in "No One is Alone," he wasn't going to let any big bad wolves or towering titans get in his way.

Likewise, Leah Facciobene (Baker's Wife) went to laughable lengths to get Cinderella's gold slipper, yet beneath her vivacious veneer, she also revealed her character's reflective side by taking a long, powerful pause at the end of "Moments in the Woods."

Speaking of powerful, one woodland spirit reigned supreme. When she snapped her staff, the forest fell silent. When she warbled her last words, the auditorium erupted in applause. Who was hiding behind the Witch's mysterious mask? Lara Alarapon. By seamlessly shifting her tone from tender to terrifying in "Stay with Me," Alarapon sparked a blazing fire between Rapunzel and herself-a fire that became fuel for her heartbreaking performance of "Witch's Lament" and "Last Midnight." Whether sassy, soulful, or severely distraught, Alarapon truly made the most of every emotion.

Believe it or not, the Witch wasn't alone in her agony. Enter: Joel Crump (Cinderella's Prince) and Eliora Adu (Rapunzel's Prince). Both Princes poured out their hearts, hands, and hips in "Agony," and while the song was quite hysterical, it was also quite heartwarming to see Crump and Adu's brotherly bond shine through their shenanigans. Similarly, Cecilia Deeny-Locraft (Little Red Ridinghood) showcased her chipper charm in "I Know Things Now," and like the Princes, she added a flare of flamboyance into every scene-one that could not be extinguished.

Is that a giant in the sky? No, it's the pit orchestra, perched on a platform above the stage! From syncopated rhythms to synchronized sound effects, Sondheim's score is incredibly difficult, but fear not, for the ensemble of eight talented student musicians didn't miss a beat.

Below the pit, Audrey Driscoll and Carmen Facciobene hand-painted several roll-away backdrops and two towering storybook set pieces, each page depicting scenes from different fairy tales. Showcasing similar craftsmanship, Charlotte Clark, Hannah Brahimi, and Serena Hardy put plenty of care into their costuming selections, whether it was the finger-puppet birds or the Witch's handmade mask.

St. Andrew's Episcopal School's rendition of Into the Woods would surely enthrall even the loftiest giants lurking in the audience. In fact, after all the company's hard work, I bet the Baker and his Wife would concur that the end certainly justified the beans!