Acting Company goes 'Into the Woods'

One of the hallmarks of many fairy tales is the woods — the forest area where characters live and/or where plot twists occur.

The woods are at the center of the musical "Into the Woods," the latest production by the Acting Company in Yuba City. Performances begin today.

The use of the woods is appropriate for the show, as "Into the Woods" is "a combination of fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm," said the play's director, Foster Campbell-McManus. "It's a satirical romp through the woods."

A quest by a baker (played by Anthony Dost) and his wife (Esther Cortez) anchor the story. A witch (Anne Marie Pringle) curses the Baker and his wife, making them unable to have children. However, the curse can be lifted if the baker and his wife can find a cow, a red cape, yellow hair and a gold slipper. So, the two set off to find the items.

Along the way, they encounter Cinderella (Elizabeth Halvorsen), who wants to attend the King's Festival; Jack (Alex Cesena) from "Jack and the Beanstock"; and Little Red Riding Hood (Selina Davis), who is on her way to visit her grandmother (Kari Nicole), and buys bread from the baker.

Characters from other fairy tales also make appearances, including Rapunzel (Shannon Doscher), Sleeping Beauty (Heather Young) and Snow White (Brittany Diaz).

"It's a fairly big cast," Campbell-McManus said. "We have 23 characters, so it's daunting to have a cast like that in a theater that seats 74. Our theater offers some unique challenges."

"Into the Woods" features music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, which is what motivated the director to take on the musical.

"I've always loved Sondheim, and this is the perfect vehicle for our theater," she said.

The cast is rounded out by Sharon Wonder as Jack's mother, Elizabeth Holcomb as Cinderella's stepmother, Heather Cowell as Florinda, Liz Hidalgo as Lucinda and Joe Moye as the wolf. Michael Strong is the musical's narrator.

Despite being about fairy tales, "Into the Woods" is "very PG-13," McManus-Campbell said. "It may be a little dismaying (for younger audiences) to have their favorite storybook characters die. Several of them do."

There are three reasons to see "Into the Woods," she said. "One, the play itself is brilliant, because the writing is so witty and philosophical. Two, the local talent in this production is phenomenal, and they perform (the music) so well. And three, it's going to be an amazing time; it's a very funny show."

"Into the Woods"

Times: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays; runs to June 7

Where: The Acting Company, 815 B St., Yuba City

Tickets: $15. Call 751-1100