Into the Woods
The Phoenix Theatre Company’s recent production of Into the Woods was nothing short of magical. Already familiar with the show due to the PCDS performance, I went in with high expectations—all of which the cast exceeded. The set found a perfect balance between originality and paying homage to the original Broadway production (1987). The actress playing the Witch, Alyssa Chiarello, added a refreshing touch to the iconic character, portraying her as a snappy realist with down-to-earth ideals, compared to the typical, purely evil Witch. The most exciting aspect of the show has to be the unexpected audience engagement during the evening curtain call: Nicholas Barakos (the Baker) proposed to Dani Apple (Cinderella) in front of an audience full of both their families. It was my first time seeing a production from the Phoenix Theatre Company, and I am incredibly excited to see future shows, including Frozen late this September. Congratulations to the stars of this incredible musical on their engagement, and congratulations to the cast and crew on a show well done.
Sondheim’s Old Friends
Although this Broadway show closed a few months ago, I can’t help but include it: Sondheim’s Old Friends—a concert-style production celebrating the late composer, Stephen Sondheim—was a fabulous show that I attended in New York City this June. As an avid fan of Sondheim’s work (considering he wrote multiple fan-favorite shows, including Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, and Merrily We Roll Along), I was so grateful to see this production. Superstars Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga led the show with steady feet (as they always have), complemented by many other veteran actors, including Bonnie Langford, Gavin Lee, and Kyle Selig. Though I’m not sure this particular show will ever reopen, if you ever get the chance to see a Sondheim show (and another and another), take it. His works are constantly circulating on Broadway and in other theaters nationwide. His impact on musical theatre will last long after even musical theatre itself ceases to exist.
Little Shop of Horrors
The musical horror-comedy Little Shop of Horrors has been a cult classic with huge success ever since its premiere in May 1982. The current off-Broadway production, running for almost six years, is the “Best Musical Revival” (Drama Desk Awards, Outer Critics Circle Awards, Drama League Awards)—a statement with which I completely agree. I’ve seen this specific production twice now: first, in the fall of 2024, and then again, in the summer of 2025. This past summer, I had the chance to see Elizabeth Gillies and Graham Phillips perform as Audrey and Seymour. In full honesty, I wasn’t expecting much from the former Disney Channel star, nor the son from “The Good Wife”, but I was thoroughly blown away by both actors’ vocal ability, acting prowess, and chemistry onstage. In the last few weeks, the two of them have finished their run together and have been replaced with two new actors—something to be appreciated about this specific production. The directing team frequently shifts the casting of the two lead characters, ensuring that the show never appears stale or overdone to the audience. I believe that’s the magic ingredient that has led to this phenomenal production lasting so long.