Sock ‘n’ Buskin performed “Into The Woods” for three nights last weekend, offering up James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim’s unforgettable musical connecting a variety of beloved characters from classic fairytales into one startling story.

The show begins with the Baker (Jeremy Tam) and his wife (Ava Pursel), who wish to have a child. Cinderella (Grace Kiame) wants to attend the King’s Festival, and Jack (Liam Ginsburg) hopes his cow, Milky White (Will Russello), will provide him with milk. However, the Baker and his wife later learn they cannot conceive a child due to the Witch’s (Maddy Lyons) curse on them. They decide to make it their mission to break the curse.

Everyone’s wish is granted, but there are an enormous consequence for their actions, as a Giant (Taya Senerchia) arrives from the beanstalk and starts to wreak havoc in their kingdom. Every character continues to blame one another for the Giant’s arrival and tries to discover who planted the beans. They begin to face dire consequences for their actions.

Directors Neil Schleifer and Thomas Beck and the cast worked conscientiously to bring these familiar fairytale characters to life in versions audience members probably never realized existed. 

“’Into The Woods’ is a very interesting piece,” said Schleifer. “It is a combination of many fairytales that everyone believes they know, but they don’t really know. It’s like revisiting your childhood and realizing ‘Oh, is that what this story is teaching me?’ The show ultimately teaches us that every choice we make has a consequence.”

Tam, interviewed during rehearsals, said, “There’s this scene at the end of the show where I learn the lesson of the show, and it’s a reflection moment. I always thought it was a cool scene, and I really enjoyed doing it, because it was a full circle moment.” 

Scarlett Hanlon (Snow White) said, “’Into The Woods’ is one of my favorite musicals, and I find that every song is beautiful in its own way. The lyrics truly resonate with a lot of people because impulsivity often works against you.”

The Sock ‘n’ Buskin cast and crew were scrupulous in bringing this fantasy world onto the stage. The crew had to be attentive to details such as a ticking clock and moving trees.

“There’s a lot that goes into the production,” said Niamh Lawless, assistant stage manager. “Aside from the cast having to learn their parts, we have to find and create props and costumes, design and build the set, design lights, sound and much more. One of the best parts of production is seeing it all come to life at the end.” 

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