Into The Woods

                                                   Katherine Fried & Ben Dibble

The Arden Theatre Company has extended its production of Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods through July 10, 2022. Led by the incomparable Scott Greer as the Narrator, characters from five fairy tales are interwoven into each other’s lives as they enter the woods. Ben Dibble is outstanding as the Baker who has had no success in having a child due to a witch’s curse. Tiara Greene, an understudy for the witch, is phenomenal as she explains the curse and gives four tasks to complete to break the curse. The Baker must go onto the woods to find the items. He and his wife,( Katherine Fried) must interact with Red Riding Hood to get her cape; Jack, to get his cow; Rapunzel to get some of her hair) and Cinderella to get a gold slipper).The set is masterful. The witch appears out of a trap door, appearing to have climbed up Rapunzel’s hair to visit her in the tower where she is imprisoned. Ropes are lowered from the  ceiling and fastened to the floor by members of the cast to give the impression of woods that the characters must enter. Characters appear with white rope and stretch out a path so that Riding Hood knows which way to go to her Granny’s house. At the end of Act I everyone has gotten their wish and is content with Happily Ever After. The story appears over. Act II briefly begins with everyone happy after having gotten their wishes , but the happiness soon disappears for all, as one by one characters enter back onto the woods. This is not your young child’s fairy tale, as it is rather dark, but it is extraordinarily well done. Musical accompaniment by the 6-piece orchestra is beautifully performed on a raised stage and background claps and strikes add to the intensity of the program. For information or tickets visit www.ardentheatre.org.

The Complete Works of Jane Austen Abridged

 

                               Charlotte Northeast, Trevor William Fayle & Brittany Onukwugha

Tiny Dynamite presents The Complete Works of Jane Austen  Abridged through June 29, 2022. The audience is seated around small end tables with teacups and  Jane Austin titles stacked upon them for atmosphere. The ensemble cast of Charlotte Northeast, Brittany Onukwugha and Trevor William Fayle speak to the audience as they frequently step in and out of character. Their purported mission is to portray the essence of Jane Austen’s main works in 85 minutes. Using only hats , bonnets and shawls as props, the three actors dash off stage and change their voices when appropriate, eliciting frequent laughter from the audience. If you were not a “Janite” at the beginning of the performance, you were certainly on your way to becoming one by the end. Pride & Prejudice, Emma, Persuasion, Sense & Sensibility and Northanger Abby were all  beautifully explored as one after another the three actors discussed among themselves then determined which to present to the audience. A recorded version of The Complete Works of Jane Austen Abridged will stream for a limited time from June 29- July 17. Visit www.tinydynamite.org  for details and tickets for the streaming release.

Blythe Spirit

                                                      Ian Merrill Peakes &  Alicia Roper

The Walnut Street Theatre is presenting Noel Coward’s Blythe Spirit  through July 3, 2022, on its Mainstage. Written as a three act play in 1941, it’s a bit dated, but remains wickedly funny to this day. The spectacular set drew a round of applause from the audience as the curtain opened on Act I and gasps from the audience just prior to the curtain closing on Act III.  Ruth  and Charles Condomine  ( Karen and Ian Merrill Peakes)  invite Madama Acari ( Mary Marcello ) to perform a séance as part of research that Charles is doing for an upcoming book. The séance accidently produces the appearance of Charles’ departed first wife who can be seen and heard only by Charles. The resulting mayhem is hysterical. Mary Martello’s performance as a medium is, literally, out of this world. Her incantations are phenomenal; her persona is sublime; her every movement is designed to evoke a laugh. Alicia Roper’s appearance as Elvira,  Charles Condamine’s departed wife, is ethereal. From her head down to her toe, she appears ghostly white. The make-up, costume and wig effects are astounding. She still has designs on her husband. The big question looms- What can she do about it? Treat yourself to a delightful night out filled with non-stop laughter. For more information or tickets, call 215-574-3550 or 800-892-2787 or visit online at walnutstreettheatre.org or ticketmaster,com.