Into the Woods - Review

If you are looking for a great night out look no further, Into the Woods was very funny, I saw it on a Friday it was a fantastic start to the weekend.
Into the Woods, produced by the Hornsby Musical Society at the Hornsby RSL.  Where do I start, I loved this production from start to finish. The singing was excellent, as good as most professionals and I can tell you some of the numbers would not have been easy to sing. The staging was simple but effective and really that is all you need. The orchestra, though small did justice to a difficult score, there were a few minor hiccups but it was opening night. The sound quality actually amazed me, it wasn't until you heard what an un-microphoned person sounded like that you realised how impossible it would be to put on a show at the Hornsby RSL without them.
If you have never heard of the musical Into the Woods, the Music and Lyrics are by Stephen Sondheim and the book by James Lapine. It is based on different fairytales - Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk and Rapunzel. The Baker and his wife have been cursed by a witch and they have to go into the woods to find four items which when they give them to the witch will break the curse.  While they are in the woods they meet up with Little Red Riding Hood who is on her way to her Grandmothers house, they find Cinderella who is running from the prince, Rapunzel in her tower and Jack with his milky white cow.  You get to hear some of each of the fairy tales as they all come together to make this one story. It has a slightly deeper underlying theme, that you should be careful for what you wish for. It was very funny and something that anyone would enjoy.
My husband and I went away singing .. into the woods, into the woods and leaping about like the Princes and yes we did get a few strange looks!!
Catch the final two shows -  Friday 31st August @ 8pm and Saturday 1st September @ 2pm and 8pm
Call the RSL for tickets - 9477 7777

Pippin

PIPPIN – proudly presented by the Miranda Musical Society

Where: Sutherland Memorial School of Arts

When: Friday 15th, Saturday 16th, Wednesday 20th, Friday 22nd, Saturday 23rd at 8pm + Saturday 16th & 23rd , Sunday 17th & 24th at 2pm

Cost: $25-$33

 Reviewed by Lana Hilton

What a fantastic musical!

From start to finish the production was an absolute assault of the senses; a kaleidoscope of colours, costumes, music, big beautiful voices and cleavage!

Pippin is the story of a wandering Prince, struggling to find his purpose in life. Pippin has tried and failed at many things (much to his father’s dismay) and is searching for that extraordinary situation in which to place his extraordinary self.

Along the way his tale is narrated by an array of colourful circus-type characters that help him in his quest for fulfilment. These characters are politically incorrect, they make not-so-subtle sexual connotations and create havoc for the monarchy he is a part of. Are they friends or foes?

The 17-strong cast hold you captivated throughout the performance with their energetic musical numbers and fantastic choreography. Their voices are the perfect combination of sass and strength and their enthusiasm really pulls you into their cheeky, fairytale world. My favourite number was “No Time At All” and I applauded and cheered and sang along when invited to.

I was going to say that it’s a show the whole family can enjoy but I will point out there is a pretty racy scene where Pippin finally becomes a man, not that the little ones will really understand it. There is no nudity just hilarious dancing and acting that will leave you in stiches. The shining star of this scene is Ellie McAdams who is a rather naughty Player; you cannot take your eyes off her and her comedic expressions.

The audience were in bouts of laughter the whole time thanks to the witty script, the eccentric characters and the bawdy dancing. Slapstick comedy, mime and vaudeville came together in the best show I have seen all year!

Motherhood the Musical

This is one of the most amusing musicals I have been in a long time.  Sue Fabisch has a gift of bringing to the stage something like a stand up comedy act with music.  The musical starts with expectant mum, Amy, singing about her joy of becoming a mum.  Her three friends, Barbara, Brooke and Trisha arrive well more like, interrupt with tales of woe! Poor Amy by the end is no longer sure how she feels.  However, the mood soon lifts as they have come to throw her a baby shower. 

Even though I am not a Mum I can remember what I put my Mum through when I was growing up. I particularly liked songs like  Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, I leak, Do it, Costco Queen, actually when I look at the list I liked most of them.  The Costco Queen's choreography with the lights on the shopping trolley's was very effective. 

Jersey Boys

The Jersey Boys have hit Sydney with a bang or should I say song!
The Jersey Boys is the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. If you don't know who they are don't worry you soon will. The Four Seasons started out in the 50's and had hits spanning 5 decades. They wrote all their own songs with many great hits including - Sherry, Big Girls Don't Cry, Oh What a Night, Walk like a Man, Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye), Can't Take My Eyes Off You and Working My Way Back To You.
Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons came from New Jersey, they had a tough upbringing and many encounters with the wrong side of the law. However, music took over and led them to more success than they could ever have imagined. They sold over 175 million records before they reached thirty!
The show itself has won the Tony Award for Best Musical, 7 Green Room Awards, a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album, and winner of the Olivier Award for Best Musical.
Yes, go and see it. The staging is wonderfully simple but very effective with historical footage in parts. The movement of the scenes and drum kits is amazing. But, it is the music that makes it, the way you can see how the band developed and the mature. But probably the one thing that impressed me the most was the timing. It must have taken several hours of rehearsals to get the four guys in perfect sync, but it was worth it as it makes it one flawless performance.