Entertainment

Into the Woods: Slow Burn’s Enchanting Tale

Published

2 years ago

October 15, 2023

Zoe Cohen

Slow Burn Theater’s Into the Woods: A Magical Journey Through Enchantment and Intrigue

October 14th, 2023

Into the Woods, as presented by Slow Burn Theater, offered a truly outstanding and enchanting experience that transported audience members into a magical world. The musical brilliantly overlaps and intertwines the plots of different fairy tales. Throughout the story, iconic characters such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk, are all showcased, along with the main characters, the Baker and his wife.

The second the lights hit the stage and the first act begins, the audience is drawn in. The first song starts to play, and three different sets are placed on stage. With three stories all being told at once, there was not a moment to be bored. As the show goes on, each character begins to meet and their stories all start merging together.

The first act is all magic, friends and family. As the act comes to a close, one would believe the show is over. All the problems are solved and each character has their happily ever after. The second act is unexpected. The family and friendship built in the first act all disappear. The ending wasn’t what one would anticipate for fairytale characters, instead, there were many major plot twists and surprises.

When characters were brought onstage and introduced to the audience, each one became my new favorite. It began with Cinderella, then the Baker and his wife, next it became Jack, then Little Red Riding Hood. It was impossible not to love the two princes and their performance of “Agony.” It was quite obvious how much heart and soul the actors put into the production and playing their part. Each line uttered by actors and actresses on stage were filled with spirit and purpose. Within the first couple of minutes, the musical had audience members laughing, and it never stopped.

The vocals from the cast were extraordinarily impressive, but one particular voice stuck out the most. Jeni Hacker, who played the main antagonist, the Witch, had one of the most spectacular voices I’ve ever heard. Not only did her voice bring goosebumps to my arms, but her entire performance was incredibly moving. Although she portrays an evil witch, it is hopeless to not fall in love with her character.

The actors were spectacular, however, it was very noticeable how much work went on behind the scenes. The attention to detail from the lighting to the sets all played a huge role in making the show as entertaining as it was. The set design was excellent and really took audience members into the woods with the actors who graced the stage. The lighting took each scene to the next level and I was extremely impressed to hear that all the music that was heard throughout the night was played by a live orchestra.

Overall, Slow Burn Theater’s production of Into the Woods presented audience members with an outstanding theatrical performance that I would recommend to all. The actors’ remarkable performances brought the story to life, ensuring that the audience was transported to a magical world. The catchy songs to the hilarious jokes, all are what make Into the Woods a must-see musical.

The show will continue to be performed at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts until October 29th. Visit https://www.browardcenter.org/ for more information and schedule details.

Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Giselle Watts _ Luis-Pablo Garcia - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Ralph Meitzler _ Beth Dimon _ Ben Liebert - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Beth Dimon - photo by Larry Marano
Ralph Meitzler & Kimmie Johnson Grimes & Beth Dimon- photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods Ralph Meitzler _ Sergi Robles - photo by Larry Marano
Into The Woods - Melissa Whitworth & Aaron Atkinson & Kimmie Johnson Grimes - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Ralph Meitzler _ Kimmie Johnson Grimes - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Kimmie Johnson Grimes - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Michael Harper _ Ralph Meitzler _ Company- photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Melissa Whitworth _ Makayla Cohen - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Ben Liebert _ Matthew Korinko - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Ralph Meitzler _ Giselle Watts - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Giselle Watts- photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn - Into The Woods Melissa Whitworth _ Ben Liebert - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn - Into The Woods - Beth Dimon _ Kimmie Johnson Grimes - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn - Into The Woods - Jeni Hacker _ Melissa Whitworth _ Ben Liebert - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn - Into The Woods - Company - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods Company - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Matthew Korinko and Company - photo by Larry Marano
Patti Gardner & Luis-Pablo Garcia & Aaron Atkinson - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Giselle Watts _ Ralph Meitzler - photo by Larry Marano
Kristi Rose Mills & Kimmi Johnson Grimes & Kate Stenzel & Jinon Deeb - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Jeni Hacker _ Mikayla Cohen- photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods Company - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Ralph Meitzler _ Sergi Robles - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Luis-Pablo Garcia _ Company - photo by Larry Marano
Giselle Watts & Kimmi Johnson Grimes & Ben Libert & Luis-Pablo Garcia - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn - Into The Woods - Melissa Whitworth _ Ben Liebert - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn - Into The Woods Mikayla Cohen _ Jeni Hacker - photo by Larry Marano
Ben Liebert & Melissa Whitworth & Luis-Pablo Garcia & Aaron Atkinson - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods Company - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Kimmie Johnson Grimes - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods Company - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods Company - photo by Larry Marano
Jeni Hacker in INTO THE WOODS - Credit Gregory Reed
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods Company - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Luis-Pablo Garcia _ Aaron Atkinson - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Luis-Pablo Garcia _ Patti Gardner - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Jeni Hacker _ Mikayla Cohen- photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Jeni Hacker _ Mikayla Cohen- photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Luis-Pablo Garcia - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Kimmie Johnson Grimes _ Michael Harper - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Jeni Hacker - photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Giselle Watts- photo by Larry Marano
Slow Burn Theater Co - Into The Woods - Jeni Hacker - photo by Larry Marano