The Into the Woods Musical by Ovation Productions is Not Your Average Fairytale

What do princesses who talk to birds, princes in windbreaker jackets, and magical beans have in common? Not much, except that you can see all of them (and so much more) in Ovation Productions’ Into the Woods, directed by Lauren Boyd, now showing at Meridian Theatres at Centrepointe until November 7th!

As Ottawa’s foremost theatre company that stages professional musicals, Ovation Productions has attracted the best local and national talent. Into the Woods features what can only be described as an all-star cast, starring both Ovation Productions alumni and newcomers, delivering a performance that navigates the play’s dazzling and dizzying storyline with ease. 

Into the Woods is an acclaimed musical written by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. It plays with the plotlines of several Brothers Grimm fairytales, including Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, and Jack and the Beanstalk, featuring familiar fantasy tropes like the wicked witch, the monstrous giant, and the charming prince. This bewildering blend of folklore meets in the woods, tied together by the quest of a baker and his wife to lift a curse and have a child. Its recognizable figures will delight audience members of all ages.

In typical fairytale fashion, the story commences with whimsy and slowly descends into comical chaos, resulting in a play that is equal parts enchanting and challenging. Sondheim and Lapine’s script takes familiar characters who are oftentimes mere stereotypes and confronts them with deeper themes such as parenthood, loss, fault, and unforeseen consequences.

Of course, credit is due to Ovation Productions’ outstanding cast when it comes to breathing life into these typically lifeless characters. Ha’keena Maneso’s portrayal of wide-eyed Little Red Ridinghood showcases the character’s journey from youthful innocence to maturity, whereas Emily Lukasik’s graceful depiction of Cinderella lends the iconic princess the agency that she is often not afforded. Angela Burns-Crowley takes the figure of Jack’s Mother—usually a forgettable character—and makes her into a fierce defender of her dreams and family. The Baker and the Baker’s Wife (Daniel Williston and Rosie Callaghan) are the play’s only original main characters and are played with an expertise that spotlights their quest from stereotypical fairytale characters to incredibly complex ones.

On the other hand, the cast also found creative ways to poke fun at fairytale stereotypes. Chest-bumping prince charmings (Mitch Wood and Tyler Pearse) interact with the sort of brotherly camaraderie that would usually be observed in a frat house as they try to one-up each other’s lovesickness in their soaring number “Agony.” Sofía Contal’s Jack displays unwavering loyalty to his pet cow Milky White (who is actually just a white cooler on wheels and therefore does not return Jack’s over-the-top affections). Rapunzel (Chantalyne Beausoleil)’s hysterical crying is so exaggerated that it parodies the damsel-in-distress cliche, garnering a lot of laughter from the audience. 

A standout star was Kirstyn Russelle as the Witch; Russelle’s initial portrayal paid homage to the typical wicked witch caricature, complete with a hunched posture, a signature cackle, and a wish to restore her youthful beauty. By the end of the production, after many characters have become collateral damage in others’ quests for fulfilled wishes, Russelle’s Witch is the one to point out the hypocrisy of the so-called ‘good’ fairytale characters in her song “The Last Midnight.” Indeed, the greatest strength of this cast lies not in their superb dancing or goosebump-worthy singing, but in their ability to bring new life to characters who are familiar to the audience. They know when to subvert and affirm their audiences’ expectations for a fairytale story, resulting in a performance that will delight viewers while also making them think.

Ovation Productions’ Into the Woods also owes much of its success to its behind-the-scenes creative team. Music Director Patrick Bowman and the orchestra created an enchanting soundscape that kept tension running even when the action lulled. Tyler Pearse’s choreography made for some stunning moments, especially in the big musical numbers. Costume, Set, and Props Designer Karlie Christie took an unconventional take on the play’s look, setting the fairytale characters against a backdrop of a Boy Scouts-style campground. This creative choice led to a production that looked distinctly Canadian, including Cinderella in a denim ‘Canadian tuxedo,’ Rapunzel in a lumberjack coat and toque, and two prince charmings clad in trendy raingear, as though they had been plucked from the streets of Vancouver. These theatre artists (and many more) worked behind the scenes to create a unique production of Into the Woods that wowed its audience by every measure.

It goes without saying that Into the Woods by Ovation Productions is a worthwhile performance to add to your calendar. The performance can be enjoyed on the basis of the talent alone; the acting, singing, dancing, and sensational musical numbers shine bright, while the sophisticated portrayals and deeper thematic ideas only add to the wow-factor. All in all, Into the Woods is sure to delight whether you are there for the artistic substance or are looking for the type of radiant spectacle that Ovation Productions musicals are known for. Do not miss out!

For more information about the show, ticket prices, and Ovation Productions’ future events, visit them online at www.ovationproductionsottawa.com.

Save 30% when you purchase tickets with the exclusive Ottawa Life Magazine promo code OLM. Click here to purchase tickets or call 613-580-2700.

Where: Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe, Les Lye Studio Theatre, 101 Centrepointe Drive.
When: Thursday, October 24 until Sunday, November 7, 2024. Show runs Tuesday to Sunday at 7:00 p.m., with an additional showing at 2:00 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets: Prices range from $46.75 to $104.25 (group pricing available). Click here to purchase tickets, or call 613-580-2700.

Photos: Curtis Perry