(Review of Into the Woods at Hamilton Theatre Incorporated. Originally published by Mayday Magazine, December 2009.)
This month I took in two shows, and started with Hamilton Theatre Incorporated’s production of Into the Woods.
To start with, how much do I love the Downtown Arts Centre? I am greeted by warm-hearted ladies with eyes that crinkle like wrapping paper. People casually wander by me, some in dress clothes and some in jeans, a couple are holding coffee from Tim’s. I’ve been to professional shows in New York, Halifax, Toronto, London’s West End, and this is one of my favourite atmospheres so far. Community Theatre has a warmth and humanity to it that more commercial theatre can’t help but lose, and although I love what big productions have to offer I find this very refreshing. I am ushered sweetly to my seat by a lovely lady with silvery hair and papery skin. Said seat looks like a cross between orange 70’s carpet and a stuffed toy, and is therefore extremely comfortable. I bounce in it a couple of times for good measure, determined to take full advantage of its plushness. Bouncy bouncy.
Off to the left is the live pit band getting settled. Before me, above the heads of patrons who chit chat with each other freely, I see the set. It impresses me. Vibrant paintings of various fairytale domestic settings, a tall Rapunzal tower on the right, forest in the background. The paintings are charming and well-executed, certainly as well done as some professional sets I have seen. Perhaps best of all is Milky White, a very craftily constructed cow that occupies centre stage with a goofy grin on its flapping jaw. In the distance I can hear the excited bustle of the cast getting prepared, and I like it. This live theatre seems even more ‘live’ to me than most productions I’ve gone to, and after all theatre is supposed to be about a community of people coming together to enjoy art, creativity, and each other. I like the immediacy of HTI, and as I wait for the music to begin I think, “Way to go, downtown Hamilton!”
It was a well done, very entertaining show. From the first note the musicians didn’t miss a beat, not an easy task when you’re performing Stephen Sondheim pieces, and more than one of the actors had a professional quality voice and stage presence. I was particularly impressed by the acting chops of Bethany Charters as the Baker’s Wife, and Sheila Flis’ complete ownership of the stage as the witch (rather a la Carol Burnett, I thought). Hailey Balaz made a casually sarcastic Red Riding Hood with great comedic timing, while Joshua Oliver’s portrayal of Jack reminded me so much of Prince Herbert from Monty Python and the Holy Grail I couldn’t contain my laughter.
There were too many great performances to mention (Miriam Abbey’s Cinderella had such a sweet voice, as did Christopher Bee as the Baker), and I enjoyed myself greatly. Thematically, if you know Stephen Sondheim then you know that Into the Woods was bound to be on the morbid side. The show parades the folly of human selfishness and ambition before you and then demonstrates how it backfires. It ends on a quasi-hopeful note, singing you off with ideas of teamwork and making the best of things, but overall the message of the show is steeped in Sondheim’s typically not-often-subtle hopelessness. Still, it’s a comedic and whimsical show that entertains while it provokes thought, and the music is brilliant. As for downsides, there was only one technical glitch with sound (the actors didn’t bat an eye), and the performances more than made up for it.
Well done, Hamilton Theatre Incorporated! Can’t wait to see what’s next.
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