EMA Review: Into the Woods ***** Delicious

A Can’t Miss – Don’t Miss Show

By Paul Atreides

Author, Playwright, and Theatre Critic at EatMoreArtVegas.compaul-atreides.com  

Take the Grimm fairy tales Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Rapunzel that you read as a child, or saw on film, seamlessly mash them together with steroids, add dashes of humor and beautiful songs like “Children Will Listen,” and you get Into the Woods. With a book by James Lapine and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, you’ve got a show that won multiple awards in multiple countries over multiple years since it first opened on Broadway in 1987. It becomes a recipe for a “can’t miss – don’t miss” show.

In local theatre, it is fairly common to see at least a smattering of the audience stand to offer appreciation at the end. When 99.9% of a sold-out house gives the performance a standing ovation, you know the production not only stayed true to the material but delivered a show worthy of accolades. It’s so well done that, as a critic, you can only sit back and enjoy it all.

Directed by Walter Niejadlik, that’s exactly what Las Vegas Little Theatre has running right now on the main stage. He and Assistant Director Gillen Brey have assembled a very talented ensemble cast, and no single performance steals the show – and that’s exactly what you want to happen with a musical like this one. The acting and vocals are solid (not an easy task with Sondheim), and the choreography fits.

If I could point out any quibble with the overall production, it would be the all-too-common one with sound. Some poignant dialogue and lyrics get lost because the music overpowers them. And the heavy reverb on the Giant’s dialogue makes some words difficult to hear.

Ron Linblom’s sets, combined with stunning mural drops painted by Lindsay Morales and Helena Morales, bring the woods to beautiful life. Ginny Adams has lit it all with care, adding a stunning atmosphere to the scenes. Julie Horton and Bailey Percells costumed everyone appropriately, from the Big Bad Wolf to Cinderella’s nasty Step-sisters.

This is a smash hit you don’t want to miss! Some performances are already sold out, others have only a smattering of seats left. I urge you to get online and buy your tickets before they’re gone, before the show is forced to close to get the space ready to open the next production.

What: Into the Woods

When: 7 p.m. Friday - Saturday

            2 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays through February 1

Where: Las Vegas Little Theatre - Mainstage, 3920 Schiff Drive

Tickets: $37 (702-362-7996; www.lvlt.org)

Grade:  ***** Delicious

Producer: Las Vegas Little Theatre; Director: Walter Niejadlik; Assistant Director: Gillen Brey; Music Director: Toby McEvoy; Choreographer: Hallie Lyons; Set Design: Ron Lindblom; Lighting Design: Ginny Adams; Costumes: Julie Horton, Bailey Parcells; Make-up Design: Victoria Braswell; Sound Design: Mike Olsen; Stage Manager: Cindy Lee Stock