INTO THE WOODS Previews — Page 3

I was there tonight and thought that it was excellent overall. I loved this production at Encores, and felt that, overall, tonight was a step up from what I saw in May! A few notes on some of the new cast members:

First thing first, Brian D'arcy James was the absolute highlight of the evening. I have always been a big fan of BDJ, and his Baker was just perfection. It's almost as if the role was written for him. He was SO funny in Act One and deeply moving in Act Two. This is the role that he deserves and audiences are beyond lucky that they will get to see this performance.

Philippa Soo was excellent. Her acting was warm and authentic, and her voice was beautiful. No notes!

Patina Miller was great and, though not quite as intense as Headley during Last Midnight, really did a nice job throughout. Her Act Two Witch was particularly good, and she commanded the stage every time she was there.

Joshua Henry seemed to be having the time of his life and I really enjoyed his performance. His voice is just so rich and powerful, and his comedic chops were right on. Made me wish Rapunzel's Prince had a bigger role!

All the cast from City Center continued their excellent performances, with a special shout out to Julia Lester and Kennedy Kanagawa.

Quick aside...I agree with WickedRocks! Audience really wanted to cheer at every second, and there were some serious moments that were disrupted from some wooing. It's the first preview, and people were having fun, so it's fine, but a little much at times!

I’m so excited to see this! Here’s hoping they have already scheduled time for the studio for the cast recording and all contracts and what not have been worked out already. (By gum, at least one of the revivals I see this year needs to be recorded, especially since it seems like it’s past time for the other ones)

Jordan Catalano said: "^As of now there is no cast recording being planned"

I didn’t think so, trying not to get my hopes up for this one

Jordan Catalano said: "Yeah, no more community chorus. Thank God."

Not to get off topic, but I was thinking about that the other day. While I presume there was never any discussion about including them, would Equity have even allowed it if they wanted to? I'm presuming all (or at least most) of them were non-eq, so I could see them making an exception given they never actually go onstage, but could also see them saying "no, anyone performing as part of the Broadway show has to be union".

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "akhoya87 said: "Nancy Opel - I think I liked her singing better, but I miss Ann Harada's comedic timing. Nancy was good, don't get me wrong, but Ann brought a certain zing."

Is Nancy understudying Jack's Mother? She was announced as playing Cinderella's Stepmother (which Lauren Mitchell played –– not greatly –– at City Center)."

Sorry, that was my bad. I meant Aymee Garcia. It was late, and I was tired. I actually liked Nancy Opel better than Lauren Mitchell, I think. Mostly for comedic reasons; Lauren came across as more of an uptight and stiff step-mother, whereas Nancy was funnier, I think. I'll change my OP.

Updated On: 6/29/22 at 11:18 AM

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "akhoya87 said: "Sorry, that was my bad. I meant Aymee Garcia. It was late, and I was tired. I actually liked Nancy Opel better than Lauren Mitchell, I think. Mostly for comedic reasons; Lauren came across as more of an uptight and stiff step-mother, whereas Nancy was funnier, I think. I'll change my OP."

Fun! (Tho now this has me thinking that maybe Nancy Opelwouldbe a good Jack's Ma. Either way, I'm sure she's slaying as the Stepmother)"

Nancy Opel would slay in any role she was cast in! Batman? Slay! Shark in JAWS? SLAY!!!

UWS10023 said: "The community chorus had to do with the mission of City Center, a theatre for all people of NYC, so it is no surprise that the concept is not part of this production given that it was not fully realized."

Is it the mission of City Center, or the mission of Lear who comes from the earthy crunchy Public Works world? Encores productions had never used Community Choruses before that I'm aware of.

Either way: the idea could have worked at Encores with better execution, but just ended up being unnecessary. I'm sure it's a stronger ending without.

Updated On: 6/29/22 at 05:19 PM

anyone having trouble ordering tickets on the actors fund site? I tried three times, but the tickets seem to be there still. im getting error messages weird

Updated On: 6/29/22 at 05:37 PM

Matt Rogers said: "HBBrock said: "ENTERTAINMENT FUND PERFORMANCE AT 2PM TOMORROW (FORMERLY ACTORS FUND)

https://entertainmentcommunity.org/performances-and-events/woods-producers-picks



$75 ORCHESTRA SEATS and $50 MEZZANINE SEATS with no fees."

That performance is on TKTS. It could t possibly be $25 mess and $37.50 orchestra there……could it?"

No, it's off the SeatGeek prices. $68-78 at TKTS.

ATerrifyingAndImposingFigure said: "How does Phillipa do with the comedy so far? Denee was a lovely Cinderella, but she wasn't very funny."

I thought she played it fairly straight, but I guess I never thought Cinderella was a very funny role anyway. Her voice is obviously beautiful, though.

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "UWS10023 said: "The community chorus had to do with the mission of City Center, a theatre for all people of NYC, so it is no surprise that the concept is not part of this production given that it was not fully realized."

Is it the mission of City Center, or the mission of Lear who comes from the earthy crunchy Public Works world? Encores productions had never used Community Choruses before that I'm aware of.

Either way: the idea could have worked at Encores with better execution, but just ended up being unnecessary. I'm sure it's a stronger ending without."

Mayor LaGuardia came up with the idea of turning the facility into a performing arts center and he wanted the theatre to be accessible to all New Yorkers. That is why City Center has outreach programs that go into the schools and community centers and a Fall For Dance program that is affordable for everyone. Perhaps Lear was inspired by this well known bit of history. Even if the community chorus idea was not fully realized, Lear proved herself to be a talented director.

Updated On: 6/30/22 at 03:36 AM