Kokandy's Into the Woods in Chicago

Sounds very interesting. I hope anyone who might attend (runs thru 12/22) will share their thoughts.

Review from Chris Jones (4 stars), Chicago Tribune.

Director Derek "Van Barham and his musical director, Nick Sula, have come up with a fabulous way to root their basement show: two grand pianos in the center of the playing space, with two women, Ariana Miles and Evelyn Ryan, tinkling the keys, doing folly-like experiments with the physical pianos and, frankly, becoming the mutual stars of the show. Audience members are seated around the pianos, some theater-style, some at tables, all illuminated by a low ceiling’s worth of twinkling lights, courtesy of designer G. Max Maxin IV, who built this rich and organic environment."

Updated On: 11/4/24 at 08:27 PM

It’s a great, shoestring production. Wonderful pitch and pure voices. It’s in the Chopin basement, so EVERYONE will miss something due to the 6 thick pesky poles that hold up the ceiling.

The two grand pianos become a character in the show, and the audience is treated to a beautiful coda by the pianists after the bows.

Upstairs, in a different show, is a parody that mixes the Scooby Doo gang with the Golden Girls.