BY: CHRISTINE DOLEN
"Into the Woods is, for DreamCatcher, one dream caught and delivered. Here’s hoping more will follow."
AN EXCERPT:
"DreamCatcher certainly hasn’t stinted on assembling an impressive cast. Director Justin Fortunato has big talents and big voices to work with, and he makes the most of the actors’ many gifts.
Before the show’s opening, the casting headline was that Tituss Burgess, with the blessing of the musical’s creators, would be the first male actor to play the Witch. What the Broadway and TV veteran brings to the stage is no stunt. As the under-a-curse Witch, he’s funny, commanding and conniving. Once the spell is reversed, though he may look like a contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race, Burgess plays it straight, as a mother suffering all sorts of losses. His acting is sharp and nuanced, and his voice, particularly on Stay With Me and Witch’s Lament, is glorious and haunting.
The cast of INTO THE WOODS
Across the boards, though, the performances are strong. As the Baker’s Wife, Arielle Jacobs, compelling in big musicals and intimate plays, is well-matched with J.J. Caruncho as the fatherhood-skittish Baker. Annemarie Rosano is a lovely, conflicted Cinderella. As her prince, Justin John Moniz (who also plays the ravenous Wolf) has the comic chops and huge voice to pull off Agony with Matthew Janisse as Rapunzel’s Prince. Marina Pires, turning the notes of Rapunzel’s theme into a siren song, finds the character’s comedy, frustration and postpartum craziness. Magan Dee Yantko is a sassy Little Red Riding Hood, and Bruno Vida has a breakout performance as Jack.
Wayne LeGette anchors the show as the Narrator and Mysterious Man, while fellow Florida actors Laura Hodos as Cinderella’s condescending stepmother, Laura Turnbull as Jack’s frustrated mom, Elizabeth Dimon as Granny and the voice of the Giant, and Jeni Hacker as Cinderella’s late mother enrich the company’s vocal mix.