‘Into the Woods’ at Alchemy Theatre

OC Theatre Guild
18 hours ago
4 min read

Sondheim’s modern masterpiece reminds us that happily ever after is only the beginning.

From Left: Marcus S. Daniel, Shannyn Page, Emily Curington, Angie Chavez, Jeff Lowe and Owen Switzer. (Photo courtesy of Katelyn Abaya.)

by Shannon Cudd

James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods” is more than a fairy-tale musical – it’s a masterwork of wishes, consequences and connection. This Tony Award-winning classic takes beloved storybook figures and threads them together into one spellbinding tapestry, asking a question that lingers long after the final note: What really happens after “happily ever after”?

The musical begins where most fairy tales end. A Baker and his Wife long for a child. Cinderella dreams of attending the King’s Festival. Jack (of Beanstalk fame) wishes for his cow to give milk. But when the Baker and his Wife learn that a Witch’s curse has rendered them barren, they venture into the woods to break the spell, meeting Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, the Wolf and other familiar faces along the way. Everyone’s wish is granted, but as Sondheim warns, “Wishes come true, not free.”

For director Miguel Cardenas, “Into the Woods” is not just a fairy-tale mash-up but a mirror held up to today’s fractured world. “This show is so layered,” he says. “It’s about community, family, responsibility and what happens when our world starts to fall apart. In times like these, telling a story about people stepping up when leadership falters, when we have to take care of each other, feels more urgent than ever.”

From Left: Jeff Lowe and Stephanie Yglesias. (Photo courtesy of Katelyn Abaya.)

Cardenas, who previously directed “Curtains” for Alchemy Theatre Company, was drawn to the project by both timing and fate. “I saw the announcement and assumed they already had a full team,” he recalls. “Then they posted a call for directors and designers. I applied, interviewed and was chosen. It felt like the right project at the right time.”

His approach to the musical blends reverence with reinvention. “We wanted to honor the original but give it room to breathe,” he explains. “There’s whimsy, individuality and freedom. Our designers and actors are creating something that is authentically theirs within the world Sondheim and Lapine built. That’s what makes this production special.”

Nearly 200 performers auditioned for the production, a testament to “Into the Woods’” enduring allure. Working with music director Gabrielle Maldonado and casting associate Tucker Boyes, Cardenas sought actors who could marry Sondheim’s technical demands with emotional vulnerability. “Gabrielle and I challenge each other constantly,” Cardenas says. “She’s so musically sharp. We always land on what serves the story best.”

The final cast, he says, embodies the show’s heart. “Every person brings something deeply personal to their role. They’re funny, vulnerable and real. The magic of “Into the Woods” is that you see yourself in these characters.”

From Left: Isabella Feeney and Angie Chavez. (Photo courtesy of Katelyn Abaya.)

To craft the world of the woods, Cardenas turned to a creative dream team. Scenic designer D’Angelo Reyes and lighting designer Campbell Hicks have shaped a landscape that feels mystical yet grounded. “It’s theatrical, but it could also be right outside your door,” says Cardenas.

Costume designer Loralee Barlow-Boyes and hair, makeup and puppet designer Sean Arnold bring the story’s visual poetry to life. “Their designs make the story tangible,” Cardenas explains. “You can feel the Witch’s power, Cinderella’s grace and Jack’s innocence. It’s all there in the textures and movement.”

Ari Florkey’s props, Jim Lowe’s technical direction and Jennifer Kornswiet’s choreography add layers of craftsmanship and energy. “Jennifer’s work isn’t just movement but rather it’s storytelling through motion,” Cardenas says. “She gets the emotional pulse of every scene.”

Behind the scenes, stage manager Makenna Green and assistant stage manager Kelley Romanuski keep the production running like clockwork. “They’re the heartbeat of the show,” Cardenas says. “Every cue, every moment of magic comes from their professionalism and creativity – none of it happens without them.”

For Jeff Lowe, Alchemy Theatre’s artistic director, “Into the Woods” marks both a creative and symbolic milestone. “Partnering with the Yorba Linda Cultural Arts Center has been wonderful,” Lowe says. “Since our neighbor is the library, this season leans into storytelling. We started with ‘Treasure Island,’ explored Shakespeare, and now ‘Into the Woods,’ which ties it all together through fairy-tale archetypes.”

From Left: Em Flosi and Stephanie Yglesias. (Photo courtesy of Katelyn Abaya.)

Lowe admits that “Into the Woods” is something of a rite of passage. “It’s often called overdone, but that’s part of its power. So many artists fell in love with theater through this show. For Alchemy, producing it now is our way of saying: We’ve found our voice. We’re ready to enter the woods ourselves.”

For Cardenas, the real magic happens when the curtain rises. “That moment when everything comes together –the lights, the music, the audience– it’s why we do this,” he says. “‘Into the Woods’ is about taking risks and finding courage. It’s about what happens when the wish ends and life begins.”