Going Into the Woods at the Wilmington Drama League

The Wilmington Drama League closes its 79^th season with the charming musical Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. The show’s plot about a baker and his wife who want to have a child, but first have to break a spell placed on them by their neighbor witch, is combined with multiple beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, including “Cinderella”, “Jack and the Beanstalk”, “Little Red Riding Hood”, and “Rapunzel”.

Act one of the three hour production provides the basis of the original tales along with the new story, but act two reveals the reality of the ever afters – and for some of our favorite childhood characters, they’re not very happy! However, like many of the original fairy tales, Into the Woods provides a lesson to be learned. Throughout the show each character begins to realize that his/her actions lead to consequences that aren’t always what he/she actually wanted, expected, or intended. The characters learn that not only do they have to live with the consequences, but future generations will also have to contend with the outcomes.

Director Chris Turner’s delightful production boasts wonderful performances by the ensemble cast. Ed Emmi gives a charismatic performance as the Narrator of the show. Patrick Ruegsegger and Victoria Healy enthrall as the desperate baker and his wife. They’re great timing and superb voices are perfect for the roles. Zack Langrehr and Rebecca Gallatin are splendid as Jack and his mother. Both actors exquisitely bring the mother/son relationship to life and delicately handle the woes their characters’ must face. Christy Watt as the sassy Little Red Riding Hood and Shelli Haynes Ezold as the evil Witch give devilishly FUN performances. Both women bring out their inner-divas and command attention. Ms. Haynes Ezold rendition of “Children Will Listen” in the finale is absolutely gorgeous.

Set designer Tom Haughey has built an enchanting forest with whimsical homes where the characters dwell. His set, complemented by Jenna Ford’s colorful costume designs and the outstanding performances transports the audience from the real world to a beautiful fairy tale land that’s difficult to leave!

Into the Woods at the Wilmington Drama League closes June 16. Visit www.wilmingtondramaleauge.org  or call 302.764.1172 for additional information and/or to purchase tickets. Below picture by Jonathan Ripsom.

A Skirmish of Wits Prevails in Arden

By Guest Blogger, Bradford Wason. Brad is the Founder and Director of 23rd & 5th Design Group and currently works with DMG Marketing in Greenville. He is also on the faculty of Delaware College of Art & Design, and is an ardent Wilmington Arts & Culture supporter.

The last time I saw Much Ado About Nothing was in sixth grade — put on by Wilmington Montessori and led by the passionate Helen Gadsby, a devout Shakespeare fan. Helen had passed along her love of The Bard to years of Montessori children, and I certainly did not escape this delightful gift. Having not seen the piece since my humble beginnings, I did some light reading to brush up on the lines and plot.  Not that you need to; the Arden Shakespeare Gild did a magnificent job bringing this classic to life on the quaint outdoor Field Theatre on the Arden Green.  If you're not familiar with the plot, it's easy to follow the journey of the two central couples, both inflicted with love — one from cupid's arrow, the other from a trap.

I truly believe Shakespeare is meant to be enjoyed outdoors. It provides an ambience that harkens back to the Globe Theatre in London.  I would suggest — although the wooden benches do have backs — you bring a seat cushion with you (Note: bug spray might also be a wise idea, too). 

The Gild presented a delightful rendition with minimal props, backdrops and overly-complex period dress, allowing the work instead to stand firmly in its wit and clever writing, adorned by the passionate acting of some well-rounded talent.

The opening scene sets the tone of the performance, and the sharp tongue between Benedick (played by Adam Wahlberg) and Beatrice (Kerry Kristine McElrone), two of the shows star-crossed lovers. The chemistry between Wahlberg and McElrone (at right) is evident throughout. They play off each other with ease and exchange barbs with precision providing punch to the mirth and matter contrived by the Bard, all the while conjuring laughs from the audience. This is especially evident in a scene as their characters stalk their conspiring cohorts to carefully listen in, each buying into the myths created for their ears.  Wahlberg delights the crowd as he rolls on the ground (directly into the audience) or dons a straw hat in disguise. Accompanying their strong performances, a doe-eyed Claudio (Colin Antes) brings grace, wit and valor to the young lord of Florence. His lover, Hero (Emma Orr), brings a bubbly, soft and soothing presence to the stage, heightening the innocence of her character to be betrayed by the self-proclaimed villain, Don John (Dan Tucker).

Additional strong performances from Zachary Theis (Borachio), Lucy Smith (Margaret), James Kassees (Leonato), Robert Tietze (Don Pedro), and Dan Tucker seal the cast. Theis and Allan Kleban (Conrad) provide intrigue and tragedy in their scenes.

As Act I draws to a close, Balthasar (Rebecca Fisher) instructs the audience in the interlude. TIP: Bring a few dollars with you for the Gingerbread Bard–shaped cookie and glass of lemonade (each $1.50). All of the pretense and plotting of Act I comes to a head in Act II as the characters mingle and set the stage for acts of love or treachery. 

Will the tragic plot undo the unrequited love between star-crossed Hero and Claudio? Will the Herculean Cupid's Trap plotted by Don Pedro, Leonato, Hero, Claudio, Margaret and Ursula unite Benedick and Beatrice? The answers to these questions await you, along with many laughs and true delight in one of Shakespeare's classic comedies.

Much Ado About Nothing makes for a perfect night under the stars for a family outing or date night. The show is approachable, easily understood and translated beautifully to the outdoor stage by director Mary Catherine Kelley and her dedicated team. Although subtle, the work of Linda Kimmelman (Assistant Director), John King (Music Director/Composer), Valerie Hutchinson and Laure Wallace (Production Managers), Judith Calhoun (Costumes) and Dawn Morningstar (Choreography) do not go unnoticed. The musical accompaniment provided by Emily Loney, Rachel Loney, Melanie Riblett and Sam Arthur round out the performance with soft musical notes between scene changes and slight taunts to mock the actors in their monologues. 

If you're looking for a fun show with an entertaining cast in a unique outdoor setting, don't miss Much Ado About Nothing. The show continues June 13-15, 21 & 22 at 7:30p.m. at the Field Theatre on the Arden Green (Rain location: Gild Hall). Tickets are $10, General Admission, $8 Arden Club Members, $5 children 12 & under. To reserve your ticket call 302.475.3126, email: reservations@ardenshakespearegild.org or visit www.ardenclub.org.

Unveiling Augusta – ART on the River in Milford

Milford is filled with amazing arts and culture opportunities, with more populating this lovely town each year. Here’s one more to enjoy. The Art on the River Tour (ART) Project will unveil six sculptures on Sunday, June 9, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the Joan and Sudler Lofland's Vinyard Ship Building Site, 6 Columbia Street in Milford.

The featured sculptures are Phase 1 of the public art project which features 4-foot sculptures of the classic yacht Augusta built by the Vinyard Ship Building Yard in 1927. The sculptures will be displayed permanently along the Mispillion River and throughout downtown Milford over the next 3 years. A total of 18 sculptures (6 per year) is the goal of the project’s organizers.

The artists were commissioned to create based on the theme "River Town. Art Town. Home Town". Five of the six boats were created by Anne Jenkins, David Rule and Cathy Walls, and one was decorated with mosaic tile by Scott & Gail Angelucci — all Milford professional artists — with assistance by Milford High School students Ann McGehrin, Evelyn Orta, Carlo Rodriguez and Kim McKinney.

The unveiling will be followed by a meet-the-artists reception, and the original, fully renovated Augusta will be at the dock for tours. Tickets are $10 adult, $5 children under 13 at a maximum of $25 per family. Tickets are limited and are available at the DMI office, 115B North Walnut Street, Milford. 

For more info, contact Lee Nelson at 302.839.1190, e-mail Director@DowntownMilford.org or visit the Downtown Milford website.