Oak Park Newspaper

The grand finale of Porchlight Music Theatre’s 2009-2010 season is a Porchlight favorite, Into the Woods. Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s fairy tale musical first played at Porchlight in 2000–2001 and received 4 Jeff Nominations, 1 Jeff Citation and 1 After Dark Award. When a Baker and his Wife learn they've been cursed with childlessness by the Witch next door, they embark on a quest for the special objects required to break the spell, swindling, lying to and stealing from Cinderella, Little Red, Rapunzel and Jack (the one who climbed the beanstalk). Everyone's wish is granted at the end of Act One, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results. What begins a lively irreverent fantasy in the style of “The Princess Bride” becomes a moving lesson about community responsibility and the stories we tell our children.