TAKE A MUSICAL JOURNEY “INTO THE WOODS”

No need for bug spray or long sleeved clothing as you prepare to venture into the woods with Playhouse on Park in West Hartford for a wonderful musicaljourney, courtesy of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine until August 22.This blockbuster story is all ready for viewing as it travels somewhere between “once upon a time” and “happily ever after,” where the Brothers Grimm have created a forest of fairy tales. These tales were dark and mysterious and gave us goose bumps and nightmares in equal installments. The two clever composers have taken all these intriguing plots and woven them into an imaginative cauldron of tasty soup entitled “Into the Woods.” There’s no necessity to don Little Red’s red cape or Cinderella’s glass slipper or Rapunzel’s long yellow hair or climb Jack’s infamous Beanstalk, unless you want to help the Baker and his wife (Robert Denzel Edwards and Laurel Andersen) in their quest to have a child. Old ago a Witch (Tania Kass) had a curse placed upon her and in order for it to be lifted, the Baker and his wife must bring her, in three days’ time, a cape red as blood, hair yellow as corn, a cow white as milk and a slipper pure as gold. So the pair set off “into the woods” to make their dream of a baby come true. In the forest, they meet a devoted son Jack (Jacquez Linder-Long) who has been sent by his mother (Zoe Goslin) to sell Milky White, his beloved cow, so they can have money to buy food. Also in the forest is a feisty and determined Little Red (Jackie Garmone) who is off to visit her granny (Zoe Goslin) but meets a wolf (Jack Dillon) instead. Cinderella (Kara Arena) has escaped her wicked stepmother (Olivia Rose Barresi) and stepsisters (Bianca Day Feiner and Miss Sandra Mhlongo) in her quest to go to the prince’s ball but Rapunzel (Hallie Friedman) has been imprisoned in a tower with little hope of rescue. Toss in a pair of handsome, charming but insincere princes (Jack Dillon and Isaac Kueber), a mysterious man (Chris Bellinger) who also plays the narrator who tries to orchestrate the action and you have all the ingredients for a fulfilling and satisfying evening of theater. The steward is played by Danny Kelly and the ensemble includes Katie Brough and Trishawn Paul. Sean Harris directs this fine cast on this flight of fancy in fabulous style, on a lovely set designed by David Lewis and colorful costumes by Kate Bunce, with a nine piece band directed by Melanie Guerin. For tickets ($35-40), call Playhouse on Park, 244 Park Road, West Hartford at 860-523-5900., ext. 10 or online at boxoffice@playhousetheatregroup.org. Call for performance schedule as it varies week to week. Come early and hear a selection of Shakespeare’s sonnets in the lobby in honor of the Festival. A children’s version of “Snow White” is playing until August 22. Heartfelt wishes and witch’s curses, magic beans and wolfish fiends, angry giants and a community’s defiance, “Into the Wood” has them all in fantastic and fanciful abundance. Come and be bewitched.