Review: 'Into The Woods' by Sabrina's Encore Productions

Danbury, CT - I have heard the name of Sabrina’s Encore Productions. I knew that Sabrina Post worked with young performers in Newtown, some of whom also worked with Jane Matson and Janice Gabriel at Newtown High School.

Ms. Post addresses the amount of time that she puts into the task of choosing the shows for every performance season in her director notes in the printed program. The artistic director feels that it is important to give as many of her already talented students the opportunities that will bring their performance skills to another level.

“When challenged how far they can go, all of them always rise above these challenges and perform above my expectations. Watching these performers, we must understand that not only do they have to learn the music and memorize lines, but they must dance, learn their blocking and most importantly, tell you, their audience a story...They have risen to conquering major challenges and I for one couldn’t be prouder.” - Sabrina Post

This excerpt of the director’s notes pretty much sums up what I would have written about the performances I saw in two of the productions in the summer repertory season of three musicals. This review will focus on the musical INTO THE WOODS; Publicity Chair Laura Moulder told me that this show featured Sabrina’s students in grades 7 through 9. To charge these 12 to 14-year- olds with the music and lyrics of Stephen Sondheim and the challenging character arcs in the tale written by James Lapine certainly required the students to aim very high, and I was impressed not only with the choice, but the performances and production values as well.

On opening night, Cast 1 performed on the wonderfully equipped stage in the VPAC on the westside campus at Western CT State University. The two casts will alternate performances through Sunday, August 4, 2019.

The ultra-long prologue was wonderfully staged with the ensemble characters standing in silhouette behind the principals in front of drop-down drawn panels. I also loved the staging for the scenes featuring multiple cast members, which were made even more effective by often mysterious lighting designed by Aidan Petershack. Projections provided by BMD Productions brought the characters to various locations, especially the creepy “woods/woulds.” The director also ensured that every bit of the humor in the both the first and otherwise dark second act were brought out effectively.

Much of the story is narrated by Julia Forlenzo, a trained dancer, in the role of the Narrator seated on the side of the stage, but she got to show off her acting ability in the second act. Dan Godino, a rising freshman at Newtown HS, performed wonderfully as the Baker and sang well the difficult lyrics of his character. Leah Crebbin was a magnificent Baker’s Wife in her 14th show with SEP; she used her wonderful singing voice throughout and reminded me of Idina Mentzel on stage.

Caeley Sullivan, who has been involved with Sabrina’s Encore Productions for three years, made her mark in the role of the Witch in some of the best costumes for this part that I have ever seen. Ava Iazzetta, a rising freshman at NHS, did very well as the lovely but unsure Cinderella; she shares the role with Madeleine Talluto. Gregory Andrew performed well in both of his roles, first as the Wolf that torments the little girl with the red cape and then as Cinderella’s unfaithful Prince. Little Red (Riding Hood) was played to the hilt by Olivia Doscher, who has been a student at SEP for nine years; she shares the role with Alison Powers, who is appearing in her 16th, 17th and 18tyh show with SEP.

Andrew Sposato gave a polished performance as Jack and sang his solo “Giants in the Sky” so very well. Sami DelGuidice, who will be a sophomore at NHS in the fall, did well as Jack’s Mother; she shares the role wit Melinda Ferris. Kristin Lageman got to wear the massive wig in the role of Rapunzel in her third SEP show; she shares the costume with rising NHS freshman Emma Smith. Nick Williams, who has been doing shows with SEP since the fourth grade, sang well as her prince and I got to see him on the stage for the performance of A CHORUS LINE, because he was a part of both shows.

Madeline Roe was significantly nasty as the Stepmother, with Morgan Harrison as Florinda and Kyle Getzinger as Lucinda, both of whom never broke character. Morgan is appearing in all three shows in the summer repertory and Kyle shares the role of Lucinda with Jillian Robinson in her SEP debut. Cate Dalton appeared as both Cinderella’s mother in her tree and as Red’s Granny. Brady Goudy played the Prince of Cinderella’s stewards in this production, but she played Miss Hannigan in ANNIE; she shares the role with Grace Snowden. Brody Goudy, who will be entering eighth grade in Newtown, played the mysterious man who speaks in riddles. The voice of the female Giant was provided by Ella Grace Renak, who played Lily St. Regis in ANNIE.

I was not surprised to learn that the costumes had been designed by Ms. Post and provided by DB Productions. They looked rich and appropriately fairy tale in nature; I appreciated the amount of velvet included. Although the music was recorded on a track, it worked well for the most part for the young singers. Kudos to each and every one of these young performers and the adults who worked with them.

INTO THE WOODS is presented with one intermission on the main stage of the Performing Arts Center at WCSU. All tickets can be purchased online at wcsuvpac.eventbrite.com For more information call 203-856-4007 or email sabrina@sabrinaencoreproductions.com

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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