The Online Reflector

By Ashley Keihn & James Allen | Staff Writers & Entertainment Editor

When you think of fairy tales, the coined “happily ever after” theme is almost always used.

However, in this musical based off the fairy tales as told by the Brothers Grimm, Charles Perrault and Joseph Jacobs, ‘Into the Woods’ leaves the audience stunned to see what happens when the fairy tale ends.

Act I depicts the stories of Rapunzel, Jack and the Beanstock, Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella and the baker and his wife with the similiar Disney-like gleam a children’s audience would expect, but there are a few added elements that let the audience know this is for more than just the kids.

Act II is what happens after the stories’ fairy tale is over.

The giant’s wife in Jack and the Bean Stock is out to avenge her late husband’s  fall to earth, and she’ll stomp out anyone in her way, including some characters that aren’t even in her story.

The original fairy tales are played out and connected to one another near the end of Act 1 when the characters begin to meet one another and plan to go into the woods in search of their own goals and dreams.

Rapunzel, as played by sophomore Emma Davis, was nothing short of fantastic. Davis took a one dimensional, fictious character and gave it very believable human characteristics.

Kirk Fields, one of two cast members who are not students, clearly had veteran status on the stage as he played two roles, narrator and mysterious man. The roles were distinct from each other, and each was developed very well.

The other non-student actor was Lucy Fields, who played the Witch. The Witch carried the comedy of the show excellently as she hit every punch line with on-the-mark delivery.

Freshman actor Andy Gipson as Jack took the stage with his first University of Inaianapolis production like he had been here for years. His solos received just applause as Gipson held his own with the other actors.

Junior LaMont Anthony Hendrix played the baker with a sincerity that drew audience sympathy.

His onstage wife, simply called Baker’s Wife, was played by sophomore Chelsy Wood. Although Wood is a theater major, she took the stage with all the skill of a vocal performance major.

Cinderella, as played by junior Megan Schmoll, had a smooth voice with an innocent undertone, perfect for the protrayal of a fairy tale legend.

Natalie Small’s Little Red Riding Hood was a funny character that was a true double threat in both acting and singing.

Under the direction of Jennifer Alexander,  associate adjunct professor of theater,  the over all theme of ‘happily ever after’ was addressed in a new way and the actors were directer to seem like their jobs were effortless.

According to her director’s notes, Alexander had many inspirations for this musical, one being a pop-up book picture of Little Red Riding Hood.  She saw a one dimensional character and  wondered what would happen if this perfection began to crumble.

Alexander showed the audience a hard truth story filled with as much happiness and despair as life outside of the stories can really have.

Alexander covered in her directing an environment where people have to cope after tragedy strikes.

Junior scenic artist Amy Patterson gave the stage a real feel of being in the woods.

The flies are set up as trees and the stage was grass covered to give the feel of being hidden in a canopy of a fairy tale world.

Another highlight of the show was the lighting done by lighting designer Michael Moffatt. His lighting job set the mood for every scene, each individually shining through.

The audience members left the auditorium chatting, laughing, and even singing. It was truly a job well done for the department.

The next play for the UIndy Theatre Department is in the Studio Theatre in the basement of Esch Hall called “Spiked Heels.” It opens Nov. 21 and can be seen on six occassions until Dec. 6.