On March 19th 2025, at 7.15pm, the doors to the main stage at the Smock Alley Theatre opened for the first show of Trinity Musical Theatre’s production of Into the Woods, directed by Erica O’Reilly. The musical’s two hours and forty five minutes flew by, leaving the audience with nothing but admiration and astonishment for the entire cast and crew.
Into the Woods was originally performed as a workshop production at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego in 1986, premiered on Broadway at the Martin Beck Theatre in 1987, and was nominated for ten Tony Awards at the event’s 42nd ceremony, winning in three categories: Best Original Score, Best Book, and Best Actress in a Musical. Numerous adaptations of the iconic musical have been staged over the years, but only a handful have successfully captured its essence. Judging by the spellbound audience of Trinity Musical Theatre’s production, this may be one of them.
Act I opens with the narrator, portrayed by Niall Grogan, melodiously introducing the five main characters: Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King’s festival; Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk; the Baker and his Wife, who wish to have a child; and Little Red Riding Hood, who wishes for bread to bring her Grandmother. The ensemble number centers around the recurring lyric “I wish”, setting the ideal tone for the show. This is followed by the entry of Laura Cole as an ugly, old Witch who lives next door to the Baker, revealing a curse on their family which would prevent them from having children. She explains the curse will be lifted only if she is brought four ingredients: “the cow as white as milk, the cape as red as blood, the hair as yellow as corn, and the slipper as pure as gold.” So, all five begin their journey into the woods: Jack to sell his beloved cow, Cinderella to her Mother’s grave, Little Red to her Grandmother’s house, and the Baker, refusing his Wife’s help, to find the ingredients, armed with six magic beans.
“Sondheim musicals are famously difficult to perform, yet even with only half of a typical orchestra, the music was phenomenal”
Sondheim musicals are famously difficult to perform, yet even with only half of a typical orchestra, the music was phenomenal. Megan Foley, the music director, not only led the group but also conducted while playing the piano, an incredibly demanding feat that she pulled off seamlessly.
The stories of characters from classic fairy tales are intertwined and something supernatural alters their fate. However, most of them end with the protagonist achieving their goal; Cinderella marries the Prince, Jack finds fortune, Rapunzel reunites with her love, Little Red learns to be cautious, and the Baker and his Wife, played by Eoin Daly and Aoife McCormack, gather the final ingredients while flawlessly singing the impeccable It Takes Two. The Witch completes the potion, lifting her curse and gaining youth and beauty, but losing her powers, and everyone celebrates their “happily ever after” — for now.
Overwhelmed by happiness, the opening of Act II presents new obstacles in each character’s life, which is charmingly portrayed through another ensemble number, So Happy. The introduction of a Giant creates chaos, and the characters turn on each other, blaming people for their losses. Gradually, they are forced to unite and face the threat together. The musical questions and explores mature themes. The musical numbers Children Will Listen and No One is Alone underscore responsibility and uncertainty, and almost every main character has a moment where they express their newfound wisdom.
“I’ve learned things now, many valuable things that I hadn’t known before…”
“The audience exited the theatre in awe of everything, from costumes and choreographies to orchestra and spectacle”
The audience exited the theatre in awe of everything, from costumes and choreographies to orchestra and spectacle. Speaking with Patrick Nyhan, who played Jack, gave me some insight into the flawless work that went into Trinity Musical Theatre’s Into the Woods. The cast committed to highlighting each character’s depth throughout two weeks of rigorous 9-5 rehearsals preceding the performance. Although this was Nyhan’s twentieth production, he called working with director Erica O’Reilly a standout experience, describing her as the most vibrant and dedicated director he has ever worked with. He also commended Megan Foley, the music director, for her excellent efforts in establishing the sound of the play. Without a doubt, Trinity Musical Theatre deserves a great deal of praise for their showmanship, because this play will leave you astounded, and perhaps reignite your love for musical theatre in all the perfect ways!
