Those "Woods" are getting mighty trampled by this point.
The reference, of course, is to the Tony Award-winning 1987 James Lapineand Stephen Sondheimmusical "Into the Woods,"which opens in a newly-conceived Theater Latte Daproduction at The Ritzon March 7 (previews begin on March 4).
Refashioned from its out-of-town tryout in San Diego in 1986, the complex musical mash-up of Grimm-like fairy tales felt funky, cerebral, and decidedly urban-old-fashioned when it opened on Broadway almost 30 years ago.
As if the original Freudian twists and turns weren't quite enough for Cinderella, Jack, Little Red Riding Hood, her wolf, a couple of princes, a witch, and a narrator (not to mention the newly-created Baker and his wife, "but that's another story, never mind, anyway"), "Woods" has been put back into the books, literally, in a 2002 New York revival, kicked outside in London in 2010, and most recently grown as tall as a beanstalk in a big-budget, big box office-winner in 2014.
Then there's the 10-person, single piano version currently running Off Broadway, which actually seems to take place inside a piano, all of which makes you wonder what the innovative Theater Latte Da can do to make the folklore feel fresh.
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Well, it seems they'll be setting it in a Bavarian beer garden. Of course.
They have a few more aces up their collective sleeves, though. Peter Rothsteinis at the helm, which is always a grand sign, and the 10-person cast includes IVEY Award-Winner Greta Oglesbyand City Pages 2013 Best Emerging Actor David Darrow.
So, pull up a stein and get ready to pick apart a tricky thicket.
If you're suffering from foliage ennui, there's good news over at the Ordway. To celebrate its new 1,100-seat concert hall, the celebrated St. Paul theater is doing what is variously called "22 Days of Opening Nights"or "Rock the Ordway"from March 1 through 22.
For a hysterical discussion of the bad math skills, mystery, hype, and snark surrounding the event, check out their blog at www.ordway.org/rocktheordway/blog .
