Review: INTO THE WOODS at VOLKSOPER

I WISH....!

Here it is, your catchy tune! Two words, that's all Stephen Sondheim needs. He, Sondheim is a master of lyrics, a composing genius, a living Musical Legend. Nobody apart from him, is able to play and juggling with words to create the most amazing and sometimes horrible to learn, lines in musical theatre. The Volksoper has its own history with Sondheim shows. After A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM and SWEENEY TODD, it is time for Sondheim number three, INTO THE WOODS, directed by Olivier Tambosi and Simon Eichenberger. As mentioned before, it is good to be back in a theatre, and it is safe to be in the auditorium again. (click here to read about the Voksoper Covid 19 prevention concept)

The Volksoper is well known for unusual costume choices and INTO THE WOODS is no exception. Every director in the history of INTO THE WOODS has done something different to or with the show, some for the better and some for worse. The Volksoper version is something in between. Unusual inconspicuous directed, smirky but toothless.

"That's no Fair Lady", to quote one Opening Night guest, by all means, he is totally right. INTO THE WOODS is so much more than that. Apart from the director's decisions, it's the cast's talent to lift up the production. Bettina Mönch (The Witch), Julia Koci (The Bakers Wife), Peter Lesiak (The Baker), Oliver Liebl ( Hans), Martin Enenkel ( Rapunzel's Prince), Ursula Pfitzner ( Hans Mother), Laura Friedrich Tejero (Cinderella), Juliette Khalil (Little Red Ridinghood), Director Robert Meyer (Narrator/ Mysterious Man), Christian Graf (Steward), and Drew Sarich ( Wolf/ Cinderellas Prince) are more than reason enough to grab a ticket for another entertaining Sondheim at the Volksoper and enjoy the lessons you got to learn. One of the most important messages of the show: "Children will listen!" Choose your words wisely because they listen, tell them beautiful fairy tale bedtime stories but don't forget to mention that everything comes at a price.

INTO THE WOODS is a journey to the After happily ever after when the real-life starts to kick in and remember, some are raised to be charming and not sincere.

For tickets and furhter information visit www.volksoper.at

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