Costumes (Jenna Grove) and scenic elements (Brandon Barker) suggest 30’s Detroit artfully abstracted into fairy tale scenes. The excellent music (14 piece orchestra under the direction of Dave Wendelberger) and the technical devices, lighting (Shannon Schweitzer) sound (Jason Painter Price) and especially media/projections (Griffin Irish) were outstanding and brought fairy-tale magic to life. The whimsical puppet/cow animated by Jason Dernay was a nice touch.
All the voices and performances are strong under the direction of Deric McNish with choreography by Alisa Hauser. The Princes’ “Agony” song was a highlight, spoofing the common human trait of always wanting what we can’t have. (Case DeKoning, Christopher Michael) The contradictory nature of the Witch is another delightful paradox (Naomi Blansit). The Baker and his wife (Kevin Craig, Sarah Gramercy) break your heart and give you hope, along with Little Red Riding Hood (Maeyson Menzel) and Jack (Quentin Nottage).
Though it is based on fairy tales, this is not a “kids show.” The moral complexities of these intermingled tales could be too much for younger kids, and unsettling/scary, maybe PG in act II. Also, it is not a short show — a bit over two and a half wonderful hours that might be a stretch for younger kids.
This musical is a classic in my book. Don’t miss this beautifully realized version, continuing through February 23 in Fairchild Theatre, through the back doors of the Auditorium Building at MSU.
https://theatre.msu.edu/woods/