Review: 'Into the Woods' by Get Up Stage Company

Pictured above: Michael Ricciardone (Cinderella's Prince) and Katerina Belales (Little Red) Photo courtesy of Ms. Belales

“...what begins a lively irreverent fantasy becomes a moving lesson about community responsibility and the stories we tell our children.” - director Lindsey Dipietro

New Britain, CT - Get Up Stage Company, a teen theatre company known affectionately as GUSCO, presents their summer musical at Trinity On Main in New Britain. This summer the talented teens, along with their intrepid director Lindsey Dipietro, decided to venture ‘Into the Woods’ with a unique take on the Stephen Sondheim classic.

I can honestly say that there has not been a production I have attended recently in which the vision of its director was more apparent; I was grateful for the new take on this musical that I have already reviewed twice just this year. Inspired by the chairs and tables used in ‘Hamilton,’ Ms. Dipietro took what she called “artistic liberties” and put the storybook characters on an American farm where everything about the set, costumes and props was symbolic.

The orchestra sat onstage behind a section of a barn with hooks for props and wooden pallets were stacked to suggest the trees of the woods. A wooden ladder, a metal watering can, and a washboard played important roles quite effectively and Milky White was cleverly unique. Touches of fur signified royalty, while Little Red’s cape and the hair as yellow as corn were knitted by hand. The narrator passed out props stored in a large trunk to the characters at the appropriate time. The teens embraced the vision and it worked beautifully.

Julia Nelson as the narrator made her GUSCO debut as a farm girl hiding from bickering parents with a storybook in the family barn. Andrew Ewart, a Bristol HS grad who will attend CCSU, sang well in the role of the Baker and Olivia Porter, who will enter Rider University in the fall, had a strong voice as the Baker’s Wife. The beautiful Katerina Belales did very well with the character arc of the feisty and hungry Little Red Riding Hood in her fourth GUSCO production and sang just as well. Ms. Belales is a graduate of Southington HS who will attend Hofstra University in the fall. Shannon Sullivan (Velma in last summer’s ‘Chicago’) was a powerhouse as the evil Witch, both before and after her transformation.

Reilly Lincavicks (Roxie in GUSCO’s ‘Chicago) gave a beautiful performance as Cinderella; the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts graduate will attend Shenandoah Conservatory. Her widower father was played by rising senior Jacob Harvey, while her wicked stepmother was played by GHAA graduate Alonzo Santiago. Her awful stepsisters Florinda and Lucinda were also played convincingly by young men, WCSU entering freshman Kevin Michaud and UConn student Ben Marcil respectively. Rising senior at Bristol Central HS Cassidee Knapik did well as Jack’s Mother, with Robert Wiener, who attends the American Musical & Dramatic Academy, as her son who climbed the beanstalk and disturbed the giants. Hannah Shapland, a rising junior from Bristol, was the voice of the angry giant as well as the loving mother of Cinderella.

Princes Miles Messier and Michael Ricciardone Photo courtesy of Mr. Messier

Miles Messier took on the roles of the clever Wolf as well as Rapunzel’s Prince; this GHAA grad will attend Hartt in the fall. Michael Ricciardone (‘West Side Story,’ ‘Urinetown,’ ‘Chicago’) was perfect as Cinderella’s Prince Charming; this talented performer will attend Rider University to pursue a BFA in Musical Theater. A highlight of this performance was when these two talented young actors sang together in “Agony.” Sacred Heart Academy junior Samantha Dorsi made her GUSCO debut as she sang in her tower as the blonde Rapunzel. Rising senior at GHAA Matt Babicz entered and exited as the Mysterious Man and Jordan Northup played Little Red’s grandmother in his debut with GUSCO. Bristol Eastern HS sophomore Zachary Lavoie was a riot as the steward to Cinderella’s Prince and Lauren Fitzgerald and Hailee Knapik made up the ensemble.

The eight-piece orchestra under the direction of music director Nick Stanford played wonderfully. Sound designed by Joe Maturano was a bit spotty at times but the lighting designed by the director was most effective. Ms. Dipietro was also in charge of designing the unique set and the costumes that never strayed from the farm. Lea Mccabe was credited as design and creative assistant. Congratulations to this production team on another excellent summer production.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues and posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theater Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417