Hoof ‘n’ Horn heads Into the Woods with new musical

Did you ever want to see how Price Charming really got his name? Then polish up your sword and shield and go see Hoof ‘n’ Horn’s Fall 2010 production, Into the Woods.

All of our fairy-tale favorites are featured together in the play: Cinderella, Prince Charming, Jack (from the bean-stalk), Little Red Riding Hood, as well as the Baker and his wife all venture into the woods on their own quests for “happily ever after.” Complete with song and dance, Hoof ‘n’ Horn incorporates snippets of these fairy tales into the main plot. The story line revolves around the Baker and his wife being unable to have a child. A wicked witch gives the couple a series of tasks to complete in the woods in order to have their infertility lifted. Thus, they venture into the woods in hopes of having their problems solved. They meet other popular characters along the way, often stirring up confrontation.

The music is an integral part of the production. Complete with a live orchestra, the music is the epicenter of the play. The singing is one of the strongest components of the play, and the actors don’t disappoint; everyone sang well and on-key. The music, however, sometimes stagnates the plot: Songs drag out seemingly unimportant plot points for what seems like eternity. The orchestra in particular becomes the domineering force of the play at times, with the loud music sometimes muffling key dialogue between the actors.

One actress who really stands out is junior Allie DiMona, who plays the Witch. Her singing voice stays on-key, and her acting provoked many laughs. She is able to effortlessly cater to the demands of the role of the Witch. Another actor who generates laughs—but with fewer lines—is freshman Sam Caywood, who plays the role of Cinderella’s drunken father. His staggering demeanor and simple obliviousness provide comedic relief.

The two-act spectacle clocks in at two-and-a-half hours. The first act of the play leaves one exhausted yet triumphant; the characters take the audience on an extensive journey, venturing into the woods for prosperity and happiness. The second act of the play, however, takes playgoers on a different turn. In an attempt to uncover what happens after “happily ever after,” the plot becomes dark and convoluted. Story lines are rushed, and the music becomes even more beleaguered. During this act, the play takes a turn from fun family production to an R-rated horror.

If you want to see Prince Charming, Cinderella and her family and the Witch together in a way that no storybook can conjure, then this play is for you. Every popular childhood favorite is present, and it is guarantee that the ending will be happier for you than it is for the characters.

Hoof ‘n’ Horn’s production of Into the Woods runs on October 21-24 and October 28-31 in the Shaefer Theater in the Bryan Center at Duke University.