THEATRE REVIEW: Into The Woods

If I could, I would watch Into The Woods again and again till August 31 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre! 

Theatre Group Asia (TGA) has done it again after the success of 'Request Sa Radyo,' its production of All-Filipino Cast of 'Into The Woods' is a testament to the Golden Age of Philippine theatre. 

To say it was an amazing show is not enough to describe it, because it was AMAZINGLY AMAZING!

From the cast, to set design ... cheers to the Amazing Team behind 'Into The Woods.' You've made us all very, very proud.

Super love the very 'Filipino' set design with the capiz window-inspired backdrop that greatly reminds me of my ancestral home in the province, and the 'Sarimanok!' item which was ingenuity at its finest! (no spoilers, you have to watch and see for yourself), and of course, the 'Wear Your Culture' outfits.

The musicale itself though was a myriad of emotions. The story is not just about love, there's also hope, and longing, and belonging. It is also about courage, admitting mistakes, and adulting.

Lea Salonga was both endearing and funny as The Witch. Her very presence as The Witch was enough to make the characters tremble in fear- but she's a cute and huggable witch, with a lovely voice. But it was during the second act when she was embracing Rapunzel- 'What did i clearly say? Children must listen!' Those lines was full of motherly love. It was an honor to watch The Lea Salonga, one of the OG Philippine theatre babies.

Eugene Domingo was in her natural habitat on the stage and I want to see 'more' of her in musicales such as this. She's amazing, and for me- she 'slayed,' especially during the first act.

Then there's Arielle Jacobs as Cinderella, with a hauntingly beautiful voice that pierced my heart during the second act. I greatly admire her quiet strength and moral compass. 

And I love The Princely Duo- Josh Dela Cruz who plays Prince Charming, and Mark Bautista as Rapunzel's Prince. I laughed with the audience when entitled Prince Charming said- 'I was raised to be charming, not sincere!,' while Mark Bautista perfected his portrayal of a 'vanidoso' prince to Rapunzel. It was also worth noting that Josh Dela Cruz portrayed the evil Wolf! 

Joreen Bautista was pitiful as Rapunzel. Great acting! Her shrieks conveyed years of anguish that tugs the heart. 

Real-life couple Nyoy and Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante plays The Baker and The Baker's Wife so it's not surprising that they have great chemistry, and voices, too!

My fave character in Into The Woods was sweet Little Red Riding Hood played by Teetin Villanueva whose character in the musicale is similar to Wednesday Adams. 

Both Jamie Wilson and Rody Vera lend their decades of theatre experience as the Steward and the Narrator respectively. 

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Tex Ordonez, Sarah Facuri and Kakki Teodoro as Cinderella's Step-mom and Step-sisters were quite funny and absurd, but all equally lovable and memorable in their roles. I mean, Cinderella is just plain Cinderella without them.

Carla Guevara Laforteza portrays Little Red Riding Hood's Granny, and the voice of the Giant. She  doesn't have much lines as Granny, but she was scary as the Giant!

Saving Nic Chien for last as a wild card because it's hard not to associate him with his mom, Lea Salonga. But stepping into the role of Jack is a blessing. He is natural as the 'immature' Jack, and such fun it is to see him being babied by Eugene Domingo. From a character with a lot of uncertainty that needs a lot of pushing, he did grow up in the end.