Join St. James Players as They Go Into The Woods

Into the Woods is a complicated musical, and I was reminded of that while I sat in on a dress rehearsal of St. James Players’ adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s Tony award winner. It’s easy to be swept up in the play’s overlapping premise: fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm run around, into, and over each other, and continue their storytelling well past their “happily ever after” endings. Of course, we love to see these classics come to life and engage with other favourite characters. But, this is also a misdirect away from how much hard work goes into choreographing such a musical. The performers at St. James Players were dialed in to their roles and had an assured sense of their space, as several arcs are balanced and challenged by each other. To say the ensemble’s efforts were efficient would be an understatement.

Still, another challenge that ensues for the actors is finding ways to build on these folklore archetypes that have no choice but to follow their traditional formulas. The actors and the director are being asked to, basically, reinvent the wheel with Into the Woods despite Sondheim giving them the answers. “We all know who Cinderella or Rapunzel are, and that audience is going to have who they are in their heads,” explains director Jacquie Butler. “When speaking with my actors about characterization, we had to work together to ensure the we stayed true to the organic characters because that’s what draws the audience in. But also, this show provides opportunities for the actor and myself to explore the characters in a different way. Asking questions like: Why does Cinderella run from the prince? Why is the witch so evil? Why is Little Red Riding Hood so brave? From the fairy tales we know so well, we know the story is true, but Into the Woods helps to answer the ‘why’ behind it. It delves deeper into who these people truly are beyond their fairy tale.”

“It was also important to ensure all the storylines were strongly portrayed, but also keeping them weaved,” continued Butler. “It is beautifully written by Sodenhiem, and the music really helps to tie the book together. I kept to the true essence of the show and that kept the themes easy to follow.”

Butler, who previously directed St. James Players’ hit production of Mamma Mia!, has always been under the spell of Into the Woods as is the case for so many theatregoers who have affection for the play. “I watched the 1987 Broadway version years ago because I was (and still am) a big fan of Bernadette Peters. I absolutely loved Into the Woods and thought one day I would love to direct it. Over 30 years ago, I was the stage manager for the Peterborough Theatre Guild’s production of it, and I swore one day I would take on directing it. The time was right for this year, and the opportunity came up.”

St. James Players is also keeping in mind that many patrons will be coming to their show having only seen 2014’s Academy Award nominated film adaptation, directed by Rob Marshall (2002’s Chicago, 2023’s The Little Mermaid). Butler praises Marshall’s film. “The movie was so well done and, of course, full of incredible actors.” But St. James Players’ fearless leader is fully aware of the differences between both versions. “The movie is darker than the stage show, and the musical is funny – very funny. We have really showcased the humour that the movie did not. Also, the stage show is family-friendly, while the film isn’t for all children. There are also more songs in the stage show with additional choreography.”

The next challenge for St. James Players will be finding a fit on the stage at Peterborough’s Showplace Performing Centre. Showplace is a second home for the theatre company and while they may be familiar with the space, sharing these colliding extended fairy tales on that platform may take some careful retooling. Needless to say, if the audience will be as swooped up as I was during St. James Players’ dress rehearsal, Into the Woods will be another hit for Peterborough’s staple community theatre company.

Addison Wylie