Cappies Review: 'Into The Woods' At Oakton High School

"Into the Woods" is being performed May 1, 2, 3, 7, 8 and 10 at 7 p.m., as well as 2 p.m. on May 10.

By Erin Allen of Bishop Ireton High School

The way is clear, the light is good, and have no fear, ladies and gentlemen, because you're in for a fantastic night of theatre. Journey into the woods "to see the king, to sell the cow, to make the potion" and to witness Oakton High School's magical production of Into the Woods!

Intertwining classic fairytales of the Brothers Grimm such as "Jack and the Beanstalk", "Cinderella", "Little Red Ridinghood" and more, Into the Woods is a 1986 musical with a score by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Lapine. Since its original Broadway run in 1987, which earned the show 10 Tony Award nominations, Into the Woods has been reimagined for international productions, tours, Broadway revivals, and a 2014 film starring Meryl Streep. The story follows various characters as they pursue their wishes in the woods and realize that "happily ever after" is not as lovely as the stories make it out to be.

Oakton High School's production of Into the Woods was packed with incredible storytellers who perfectly embodied their characters. Among them was Giovana Abdo as Cinderella. With a sweet voice and the poise of a princess, Abdo gracefully portrayed Cinderella's growth from a peasant, to a royal, to a matured woman. Abdo possessed crystal-clear, effortlessly beautiful vocals that made "On the Steps of the Palace" and "No One is Alone" definite standouts of the show.

Adding lightheartedness to even the tensest moments were Savannah Day as Little Red and Jake Deering as Jack. This comedic duo stole the show whenever they walked onstage. From their youthful mannerisms to their impeccable joke timing, every move they made and word they spoke reflected the true essence of their characters. Deering performed a thrilling rendition of Jack's iconic solo, "Giants in the Sky", and captured the audience's hearts through a heartwarming relationship with the beloved Milky White (Gabriel Ayala). Similarly, Day garnered several laughs while firing off comedic quips but displayed incredible versatility when portraying Little Red's vulnerability and heartbreak during the tragic events of the second act. Together, Deering and Day aided Into the Woods's emphasis on the growth of children through their nuanced performances.

Also accompanying the fairytale characters on their journeys was the Oakton High School Pit. Though the score of Into the Woods comes from a notoriously challenging composer, these musicians played through it flawlessly and never faltered in their performance. Every note and chord were delivered on-beat and added to the emotional intensity of the show. Eliot Hettler, Amelia Haid, Isabel Suk & the Set Team constructed an impressive, professional level set that fully immersed the characters and audience in the woods. With realistic trees, a functioning drawbridge, detailed storybook houses, and ornate pieces that could roll on and off stage, the set was excellently designed and served as the perfect backdrop for the actors. Each flower, vine, and stroke of paint made the woods itself into an imposing character for the heroes of the show to overcome.

Though it is always uncertain what is out there in the woods, one thing is for sure: Oakton High School's production of Into the Woods was an enchanting show filled with great performances, fantastic design, and of course, all the witches, wolves, and giants along the way.