This review excerpt refers to the 2007 Signature Theatre, VA production.
Artistic director Eric Schaeffer planned from the start to inaugurate
the space with "Woods," and he doesn't disappoint. He's taken a
decidedly impish tone to the fractured fairy tale saga and maintains
it even through the sobering second act. For a director not afraid of
the dark, especially when staging Sondheim, the approach is
refreshing. More importantly, he finds just the right interpretation that
neither trivializes nor belabors Lapine's intricate book.
The tactic includes creating devilishly inviting characters in roles
large and small. Among them: Tiny-voiced Lauren Williams'
beguiling mixture of innocence and attitude as Little Red Riding
Hood; Erin Driscoll's open-mouthed Rapunzel, chirping and whining
from her woodsy tower; the two princes (James Moye and Sean
MacLaughlin), who bound on and off stage like twin gazelles;
Cinderella's diabolically evil family (Channez McQuay, Priscilla
Cuellar and Florrie Bagel); and an effeminate steward
(Matt Conner). Principal roles are also in good hands.
Daniel Cooney and April Harr Blandin excel as the virtuous
baker and his wife, who seek to remove a curse put on
them by the kingdom's wicked witch (the delightfully sinister
Eleasha Gamble).
Paul Harris for Variety.