Into the Woods follows a baker and his wife who wish for a child. They both go into the woods to reverse a spell the witch next door placed on their family tree. They must return with four magical items, and if so, then the curse will be reversed, and they will born a child. The musical brings together plots from several Brothers Grimm fairy tales into one magical world where wishes lead to consequences, and we know the true meaning of wishing.

Stephen Sondheim, and James Lapine’s beloved ‘Into the Woods’ has arrived at the Ahmanson theater and is casting an enchanted spell on its audiences. The Broadway critically acclaimed musical staring Montego Glover as The Witch, Stephanie J. Block as The Baker’s Wife, Sebastian Arcelus as The Baker, and Gavin Creel as Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf – who are reprising their Broadway roles for the tour production are at their best, truly bring romance, fun, and a big truth on fairy tale endings.

From beginning to end, director Lear deBessonet sets the mood for an enchanting night of laughter, joy, tears, and good spirit. The concert-style musical with a few trees feels flat in production value, but deBessonet’s delivers whimsical fun. It’s obvious that deBessonet’s grants permission for its actors to explore and experience. deBessonet style focuses more on open humor and unique interpretation. Every moment in the show has a purpose and as the show develops, each character’s performance grows, showcasing a side of humanity never seen in a production of Into the Woods. The show also has a sense of engagement, nurture, and transparency which create clever, heartfelt, unapologetic, and innovative moments in the woods.

Stand-outs include Stephanie J Black who offers an emotional Baker’s Wife whose pain and desires are delivered when spoken or in song, it’s quite brilliant. Montego Glover strips down to give an eloquent interpretation of the difficult role. Glover ends strong with a rendition of “Last Midnight” that is eye-opening and gives another reason why to love the witch. Glover’s performance is set to become one of the most influential and impactful interpretations of the iconic musical role. Gavin Creel as the wolf and Cinderella’s prince is charming and offers great laugh-out-loud comedic moments that are not easy to forget, it really is great in the intimate space. Lastly, Kennedy Kanagawa as Milky White steals the show with animated puppetry that showcases his experience. deBesonet gives Kanagawa the opportunity to make a new character for himself and also create a Milky White that is charming, winsome, and inviting.

Into the Woods is beyond magical as it presents delusion vs reality. From the moment, the narrator says “Once upon a time”, the world in front of you reveals lessons, love, humor, tragedies, forgiveness, and lots and lots of magic!

To buy your tickets, click here, buy them before a witch casts a spell on you!