SCERA's 'Woods' is very well-done

INTO THE WOODS: SCERA Center for the Arts; 745 S. State, Orem; written by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine; directed by Howard and Kathryn Little; 7:30 p.m. through Oct. 3; tickets at the box office or by calling 801-225-2569; running time 2 hours 30 minutes plus one 15-minute intermission.

OREM — Fans of Stephen Sondheim's intricately interwoven "Into the Woods," take heart. This production stays true to the original show.

For those who've yet to become fans, this production ought to convert you.

It's very well done, with great characterizations, nice vocals, a fun, professional-looking set, perfect costuming and crisp, lively timing.

Kudos to the directors, who have obviously kept a tight rein on their cast.

The lines are delivered right in sync; the songs are sung with heart; and there's a nice bit of humor maintained as the characters go from fairy-tale wishes to not-so-fairy-tale endings.

"Into the Woods" is already a classic, so it's refreshing to revisit the story about people trying to get what they think they want.

But there's also a good bit of newness introduced into this show, with a human Milky White who can actually tromp around the stage on stilt-like legs; a tree tower with all kinds of hidden parts; and choreography that keeps everybody going somewhere all the time.

It's hard to choose the standouts from the cast because everybody seems to be giving their all.

Lara Johnson is an extremely good witch and beautiful enchantress. She hobbles about during the first half and then strides majestically during the second, trying to goad her pathetic human neighbors into action.

Julie Webb is an extraordinary baker's wife, giving depth and warmth to what is sometimes a lesser lead character.

Marissa Smith plays the role of Little Red Riding Hood brilliantly, with just the right combination of sassiness and vulnerability.

She and the hapless Jack, played by Bradin Wilhelmsen, have fun chemistry.

Charlie Little is a wonderful Cinderella, and Kaelie Pellegrini is an appealing Rapunzel.

The charming but insincere princes, played by Jordon Sorenson and Josh Curtis, may not always match in their vocal duets, but they don't let them stop them from being interesting and strangely appealing as they frolic in their roles as princes without moral compasses.

Mike Kim does well as the seductive wolf. (The scene behind the curtain where the wolf gobbles up Red Ridinghood is most cleverly done.)

The narrator/mysterious man is another character who sometimes gets lost in productions of this story, but L.D. Weller carries the roles off very well.

Sondheim wrote so much irony and wit into this show that it's hard to destroy it. (Although it has been done.)

This production does justice to the writing, the songs and the story line.

Be aware, however that his is an adult-themed show. It's not Disney fare, and children will not enjoy it as much as parents.

e-mail: haddoc@desnews.com