Last night after work I headed to MIT to see the MIT Gilbert and Sullivan Players production of Into the Woods in the Kresge Little Theater. It's up for 5 more performances, so if you are local it is well worth it to go.
This performance was a bit more traditional, reminiscent of the Broadway production with Bernadette Peters that I grew up loving. I loved their version of the birds for Cinderella. It was much less cheesy than fake stuffed birds on essentially a giant mobile. On the other hand, the cow needs some WD40 for the wheels.
The vocalists were amazing. I had heard many of them before, but a number of them were new to the group though they were vocalists in a number of different productions around the United States. Emily Lydic had a strong Cinderella, in what was the girliest, most "innocent" role I have yet heard her in. It was great hearing Bridgette Hayes get to use more of her full vocal range as the Witch, given that the last production I had been in with her was Sweeny Todd where she was Lucy.
In previous productions, usually Cinderella's mother and Jack's mother are not the most vocally strong of the group, but the MIT production has strong caliber singers in even the more secondary roles.
And no discussion of Into the Woods is complete without talking about the Baker's Wife. I love Joanna Gleason and her version of the role will always have a warm place in my heart. Her Baker's Wife was full of humor that was mostly understated and centered in her facial expressions. Jessica Taylor, playing the role, brings strong vocals and humor in the body language. She had a wonderful Justify the Beans.
Outside the singing, the set was amazing. Brie (who also played the Grandmother and the Giant) is an amazing set designer and works with a great group of people. I took pictures of the set, but my iPad wasn't too happy about the low lighting at the end of the show and they are fuzzy.
So, if you are in the Boston-Camberville area, I highly recommend going to this show. It is a great value with tickets topping out at $15 for members of the general public (cheaper if you are a student or a member of the MIT community).
