A fractured fairytale show too sophisticated for children and too juvenile for adults, “Into the Woods” is one Stephen Sondheim musical that has always had an audience identity crisis—which may explain why performances of it are relatively rare. This Marriott Theatre revival will certainly attract Sondheimaphiles on that fact alone, but those seeking the tongue and cheek irony that can make the show click will be disappointed in that most of the fairytale characters are playing it straight in this production, missing the satire of the lyrics and James Lapine’s comedy with overdone seriousness and tentative timing. Sondheim’s deceptively simple ditty-filled score is also not well served here—its punchy counterpoint is often blurred with key characters delivering unconvincing performances due to timing miscues. (Dennis Polkow)
Buggin’ Out: A Review of Bug at Steppenwolf Theatre The audience is the fly on the wall of a dingy Oklahoma hotel room where Agnes White is taking refuge from her recently released, abusive ex-husband Jerry.
Let’s See Together: A Review of "Choir Boy" at Steppenwolf Theatre Among other compelling reasons to see "Choir Boy" is the power and musicianship on songs sung by the young men who play the students in the choir at the Black, Christian Charles R. Drew School for Boys.
