'Into the Woods' opens to a crowd of luminaries with much aplomb 

"Into the Woods" is finally here, opening to a crowd of luminaries Wednesday night, which included National Artist Ricky Lee, international darling Dolly De Leon, direk Jose Javier Reyes, showbiz personalities Judy Ann Santos, Ruffa Gutierrez, Gabbi Garcia, Khalil Ramos, and Christian Bautista to name just a few.

The hype is well-deserved. Despite the occasional malfunctioning mics, a material that's a wee bit too long, and a second act hovering on messy, Theater Group Asia's staging of "Into the Woods" is a testament to Filipino talent through and through.

Because the beloved Stephen Sondheim musical — three-hours long with a sophisticated musical sense — means serious business for performers. It takes more than talent to deliver those challenging lines that had an even more challenging phrasing. Apart from the memory work, there is also the physical strength and endurance required, as well as intense breathing work. But the cast nailed it to a T. 

Of course, Lea Salonga is a given. But even then, the Tony award-winning theater actress manages to impress and exceed expectations. And even amid heavy makeup — perhaps precisely because of them — she remains a joy to watch.

Lea Salonga as the Witch, Nyoy Volante as the Baker and Mikkie Bradshaw Volante as the Baker's Wife. Courtesy: Mark Alvarez/TGA

Eugene Domingo, more popular as a comedienne than a singer, manages to hold it out on her own with her singing, as Nic Chien, who must be the recipient of extra attention given he is Lea Salonga's child.
  
Mark Bautista (Rapunzel's prince) Nyoy Volante (Baker), Mikkie Bradshaw Volante (Baker's wife), Jamie Wilson (Cinderella's Father and The Steward), Carla Guevara Laforteza (The Giant and Granny), and Rody Vera (narrator), theater veterans that they are, showcased not just their talent but their professionalism and more importantly, put on display their years of experience. 

Teetin Villanueva gave Little Red Riding Hood a whole lot of personality that's so unique and cool and funny, that she reminds us of Chun-Li from "Street Fighter." It reads like a stretch, we know, but with her hair fixed in two buns, and her casual balisong play, maybe the comparison is not as far out.   

Arielle Jacobs meanwhile is a fitting actor to play Cinderella — comedic where it matters, graceful where it is expected, and beautiful all around.

Arielle Jacobs as Cinderella. Courtesy: Mark Alvarez/TGA

But it's Josh Dela Cruz, playing both Prince Charming and The Wolf, who is the real revelation. His expressions are spot on, his comedic flare evident, and wow, what a voice! He acts with his whole body, making his characters extra funny, extra punchy, and extra everything. 

His scenes with Mark, equally a commanding actor, are among the best in the three-hour bonanza, and their duet "Agony," among the most memorable.

That said, much love goes to the 19-piece orchestra, which provided not just the musical background and the accompaniment to song numbers, but the sound effects and transitions that made even the small scenes feel pivotal and important. The gala performance featured Gerald Salonga helming the orchestra.

And equal respect goes to the set designer Ohm David and costumer designer Raven Ong, who truly translated "Into the Woods" into Filipino, with capiz windows, the peacock chair, and local textiles bringing the international material home.

"Into the Woods" runs until August 31. Tickets are already sold out but if by some miracle you manage to come across them, please do yourselves a favor and buy them. It will be three hours of topnotch entertainment that'll make you forget about the real world for a while. — GMA Integrated News