Musical Performance Review – Into the Woods
Play Presented By Andersonville's Quest Theatre Ensemble
Feb 23, 2009
Chicago’s Quest Theatre Ensemble kicked off their 2009 season on February 20th with the Stephen Sondheim musical Into the Woods, which will run until March 29th.
Into the Woods became a Broadway favorite shortly after its appearance in 1987, starring Bernadette Peters. In 2002 it was revived, this time with Vanessa Williams starring. Both the original and revival won three Tony awards each.
The Interweaving of Four Fairy Tales
The story follows a baker and his wife, who were cursed with childlessness by a witch because of something the baker’s father did many years ago. To undo the spell, they need to bring the witch a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair the color of corn, and shoe of gold. On their quest, the couple encounter Jack (of beanstalk fame), Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Cinderella.
The first act ends with all their characters getting what they want, or at least, what they think they want. The second act explores the consequences of their actions, as they each in turn discover that they’re not as happy as they thought they’d be with their decisions.
Dancer Loves Playing Live Action Characters
This is Leef’s third production with Quest Theatre. He was a dancer in their first production of The Wizard of Oz, and then he did Little Shop of Horrors, playing the plant, Audrey II. Leef had always envisioned himself playing Jack in Into the Woods, until he saw the Broadway revival. “I saw something that I had never seen before and something I knew Quest could magically produce.” Leef says. “A live action cow.”
While Quest may have produced the costume for Milky White, the person responsible for bringing him to life is Leef. Milky White draws the audience’s gaze by sashaying across the stage, trembling in fear, or dancing joyfully. Whether he’s running from the Baker’s wife who’s trying to capture him, or nuzzling up to his owner, Jack, Milky White steals every scene he’s in.
Bernadette Peters a Source of Inspiration
This may be Leef’s third musical with Quest, but he’s quick to admit that he’s not that big of a musical theater fan. He’s always had a soft spot for Into the Woods, though. “I have been a big Bernadette Peters fan all my life,” Leef says. “This was one of the shows she was in that I always wanted to be in.”
Leef feels that he’s learned a lot from his experiences with Audrey II, and now with Milky White. “There are so many other aspects to performing besides dancing, acting, and singing in shows,” Leef says. “Doing live action puppetry is so much fun, I do truly enjoy it. I think it really brings another level to a production.”
Into the Woods is playing at the Blue Theatre, at 1609 W. Gregory St. in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. For more information or to reserve seats, call 312-458-0895, or visit www.questensemble.org.
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