"Into the Woods," Lessons from Grimm's Fairytales

Though Steven Sondheim’s “Into the Woods,” to be presented by Fort Defiance Players October 18-21, is based on several interwoven Grimm Fairytales, there is a prevalent theme of an individual’s responsibility to community. Writing in 1987, Sondheim said of his work, “All fairy tales are parables about steps to maturity. The final step is when you become responsible for the people around you, when you feel connected to the rest of the world. For Jim Lapine (who wrote the book), the second act is very much about the legacy of what our parents teach us and how, even if we’ve rebelled against them, we hand that down to our children. For me, it isn’t just parents and children, but everybody who teaches or who is an artist. ‘No One is Alone,’ is about how we are all interconnected.”

In the first act of “Woods,” Lapine and Sondheim have cleverly woven together the familiar stories of Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Ridinghood, and Rapunzel, with an original storyline about a Baker and his barren wife. At the end of the act, all seems to be well and a “happily ever after” conclusion seems in store—but the narrator says, “to be continued.” In Act II, things quickly turn anything but happy, as the glow soon disappears from Cinderella’s marital relationship with her Prince, Jack becomes bored with his life, and Little Red Ridinghood is estranged from her mother. Then the very upset wife of the giant killed in Act I appears, seeking to avenge her husband’s death.

As folks are set upon, trampled, and pummeled, accusations fly between the characters. It is then that it becomes clear that there are multiple themes within the work: the challenge of growing up, conflicts between parents and children, accepting responsibility for one’s actions, questions of morality, and ultimately—fulfilling one’s wishes. The witch, originally appearing as a threatening figure, turns out to the only one in the show who always tells the truth—others are much less honest. In many ways, most things that go wrong for the characters are a result of the failure of parents or children, despite their best intentions. But as they face the threat to their community, they increasingly realize that all actions have consequences, that we are all inescapably interdependent, and their in lies our greatest strength.

The show is directed by FDP president, Randy Schroeder, who also plays the Mysterious Man. Bob Barnett, FDP treasurer and the Narrator, is the show’s producer. Dick Stroede is the music director and Ned Clark is accompanist. Stage and light design is by Erik Johansen. Sound design is by Mike Winners and Chris Tankersley.

Performances on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, October 18 – 20, are at 8 p.m. The Sunday, October 21, matinee is at 2 p.m. Reserved seats are $12 and available by calling 419 782-PLAY. General admission seats are $10 and available at the door an hour before each performance.