‘Into the Woods’ Manila adds local flavor to a Sondheim classic

Lea Salonga and Joreen Bautista in a scene from ‘Into the Woods’. Picture: Mark Alvarez through Theatergroep Asia

As soon as Upon A Time introduced Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine the magic and darkness of fairy tales to life “Within the forest.” Since then it has developed right into a cultural phenomenon with a number of theater productions that deliver the hanging query to life: what occurs after lengthy ever -happiness?

Properly, within the Philippines, not a lot. Filipinos nonetheless fall into the autumn of fairy tales, the place many will not be conscious of the results it entails. Some don’t care how their pursuit of a ‘fortunately ever after’ can affect the folks round them, whereas others are keen to lose themselves within the pursuit.

Because of this the Manilla’s senation of “Into the Woods” comes house. As quickly as theater guests enter the theater, they’re greeted by the sight of a citadel within the type of a Bahay after Bato painted in gold and distinction from the forest-like stage to which followers are used to.

Act One opens with De Baker (Nyoy Volante) and the Lady of the Baker (Mikkie Bradshaw Volante) who shut a take care of the Witch (Lea Salonga) out of desperation to put on a toddler. Their Fates Intertwine as They Meet Jack (Nic Chien), Jack’s Mom (Eugene Domingo), Cinderella (Arielle Jacobs), Little Crimson Using Hood (Teetin Villanueva), Rapunzel (Joreen Bautista), Prince Charming (Jruh DELA RUNZ), The Wruz), Lelt Crimson Rid Rid Ruid, Lelt Crimson Rid Ruid, Crimson Crimson Rid Ruid, Crimson Crimson Rid Ruzing), Lelt Crimson Rid Ruzing), Lelt Crimson Rid Rid Ruzing), Llet Ruzing, Ruzzh Dela Ruzing), Llet Ruzing), Lelta Ruzing), Lelta Ruzing), Lelta Ruzing), Lelta’s Ruzing), Ruzh Delta), Ruzzh Delta), Ruzzh DELAZ), Ruid. Granny (Carla Guevera Laforteza), Rapunzel’s Prince (Mark Bautista), Cinderella’s Stepmother (Tex Ordoñez de Leon), Florinda (Sarah Facuri), Lucinda (Kakki Teodoro), Cinderella’s Father (Giannard), The Steward, the Steward, and the Steward, and the Steward, and the Steward, and the Steward, and the Steward, and the steward, and the steward, and the steward, and the steward), and Narrator (Rody Vera) – Every Having Their Personal Variations of What “Fortunately Ever After” it needs to be, which in the end unravels in ACT Two. From the traces to his musical songs, no phrase was modified. What’s noticeable is using localized props and nuances to deliver manufacturing nearer to the hearts of the Filipino public.

Lea Salonga because the witch (proper), Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante such because the spouse of the baker (left) and Nyoy Volante because the baker (middle) within the Manila-Enceneration of “Into the Woods”. Picture: Mark Alvarez through Theatergroep Asia

Sondheim at all times has such a Sondheim technique to make the music and lyrics. With “Into the Woods”, it is all about bringing the incredible – virtually delusion – the dedication of the characters to achieve the “fortunately ever after” to the stage. This explains the demand for Campy variations, particularly Rapunzel who makes use of her tears to deliver her prince to life, the transmission of the princes to share their “ache”, and Jack’s mom says: “That’s okay”, as Cindere’s distress. That is one thing that the actors within the manufacturing of Theatergroep Asia did glorious.

Everybody succeeded within the musical query to be campy and greater than life. However the highlights have been Josh Dela Cruz (even leaping on a department to sing “ache” on the prime of his lungs), Mark Bautista (too charming for an error), Teetin Villanueva (too comedian along with her portrait of the desk), a greater portrait of the desk trial), and a greater of the desk), and the desk of the desk), and the desk desk), and the Desk Desk), and the Desk Desk), and the Desk Desk), and the Desk Desk), and the Desk Desk), and the Desk Desk), and the Desk Desk), and the Desk Desk), and the Desk Desk), and the Desk Desk), and the Desk Desk). Desk), and a greater portrait of the De Witch desk in comparison with its efficiency in 1994).

Though the final efforts of Chari Arepacochaga in bringing the extraness of on a regular basis Filipinos within the portrait of the forged have been successful, it’s the localization of sure components that may grow to be too ‘happy with Filipin’ for somebody’s style. The musical is called too large and energetic – the grandiose units and manufacturing are proof.

However hammering for making the manufacturing “satisfaction Filipin” was a bit distracting. Recording regionally made materials and vogue components is an effective technique to present that it’s a native manufacturing. Nonetheless, the actions of the Woods-like attraction of its unique stage design and centered on its Bahay after Bato side, nevertheless, a sort of the storyline that occurred within the forest. It did not damage so as to add extra timber or add the collision of scary and dream -like components to deliver the purpose house.

Arielle Jacobs in a scene from ‘Into the Woods’. Picture: Mark Alvarez through Theatergroep Asia

Anyway, the Filipino manufacturing of “Into the Woods” exhibits how bringing native components to Western fairy tales will likely be good. Particularly with sure points that got here house to the Filipino public. Volante’s illustration of the baker who involves phrases with the previous of his household, the place he intentionally recorded the nuances of a troubled Filipino grownup who is set to chop a brand new journey for himself and his little one – has pushed the best way to a extra honest picture “Fortuitously at all times after” is without doubt one of the most radiant instances to show this.

The umbrella story of the musical might haven’t any reference to the Philippines as a complete. Other than the props, there was clear consideration to how Filipinos view the idea of ‘Lengthy and comfortable’ – Filipino resilience is the closest phenomenon – in his manufacturing, who can fascinate somebody who sees the musical for the primary time.

Theatergroep Asia’s staging of “Into the Woods” runs till 31 August within the Samsung Performing Arts Theater. /CB