Carla Gem Buyo

'Into The Woods' Review: A Mesmerizing, Modern Fairy Tale With A Filipino Soul

Article (news)

<p><strong>Into the Woods</strong>, the Philippine adaptation presented by <strong>Theatre Group Asia</strong>, is a lush, sophisticated retelling of <strong>Stephen Sondheim</strong>’s beloved musical, reinterpreted through a distinctly Filipino lens and brought to life by a powerhouse cast and creative team.</p><div><br/></div><p>At the helm is none other than Tony Award-winner <strong>Clint Ramos</strong>, serving as the creative and artistic director, joined by Theatre Group Asia Executive Director <strong>Christopher Mohnani</strong> and seasoned director-educator <strong>Chari Arespacochaga</strong>. Their vision threads a fine balance between the magical and the meaningful—giving audiences a show that is visually rich, emotionally grounded, and unapologetically local in flavor.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:814px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754737789750Lea Salonga as The Witch, Mikkie Volante as the Baker&#x27;s Wife and Nyoy Volante as the Baker in Theatre Group Asia&#x27;s Into the Woods. Photo by Mark Alvarez..jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">(L-R) Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante as The Baker&#x27;s Wife, Nyoy Volante as The Baker, and Lea Salonga as The Witch | Photo Courtesy of Theater Group Asia</span></span></span></div><div><strong>A Stellar Ensemble Anchored by Legends and Rising Stars</strong></div><p>There is no shortage of star power on stage, but this production&#x27;s magic lies in how harmoniously the cast weaves their narratives together. <strong>Lea Salonga</strong>, as The Witch, is nothing short of transfixing. Her rendition of “Children Will Listen” isn’t merely a song—it’s a balm, a masterclass, a moment. Lea’s performance embodies quiet power, her presence commanding yet nurturing, reminding us why she remains the <em>Pride of the Philippines</em>.</p><div><br/></div><p><strong>Nic Chien</strong>, in his debut alongside his mother, dazzles as Jack. While sharing the stage with Broadway royalty might rattle most, Chien stands his ground with a performance brimming with boyish sincerity and surprising depth. His chemistry with<strong> Eugene Domingo</strong> as Jack’s Mother is delightfully organic—Eugene delivering her signature comedic timing while still grounding her character in maternal desperation and love.</p><div><br/></div><p>Real-life couple <strong>Nyoy Volante </strong>and <strong>Mikkie Bradshaw‑Volante </strong>as The Baker and The Baker’s Wife breathe authenticity into every shared glance and harmony. Their portrayal of a couple unraveling and rebuilding under the weight of longing and consequence is heartbreakingly beautiful—a love story that unfolds right before our eyes.</p><div><br/></div><p>Then there are the scene-stealers: <strong>Josh Dela Cruz </strong>and <strong>Mark Bautista</strong> as Prince Charming and Rapunzel&#x27;s Prince respectively, whose playful, exaggerated bravado in “Agony” had the audience roaring. It’s comic relief done right—brilliantly timed, never overplayed.</p><div><br/></div><p><strong>Arielle Jacobs</strong> is a vision as Cinderella, her Filipina-American roots adding richness to a character torn between fantasy and reality. <strong>Teetin Villanueva</strong>’s Little Red Riding Hood is refreshingly bold and feisty, while <strong>Joreen Bautista</strong>’s Rapunzel brings vocal clarity and emotional fragility in equal measure.</p><div><br/></div><p>Every supporting player shines—from <strong>Tex Ordoñez</strong> as Cinderella’s Stepmother, <strong>Sarah Facuri</strong>, and <strong>Kakki Teodoro</strong>’s hilariously awful stepsisters, to <strong>Carla Guevara Laforteza</strong>’s scene-shifting versatility across two roles, <strong>Jamie Wilson</strong>’s nuanced performance in dual roles as Cinderella’s Father and The Steward, and <strong>Rody Vera</strong>’s narrator, who carries the show with both gravitas and gentle wit.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Visual Storytelling with Filipino Flourishes</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754737926665Arielle Jacobs as Cinderella in Theatre Group Asia&#x27;s Into the Woods. Photo by Mark Alvarez.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Arielle Jacobs as Cinderella | Photo Courtesy of Theater Group Asia</span></span></span></strong></div><p>If the performances are the heartbeat of this production, the visuals are its soul. Costume designer<strong> Raven Ong</strong> delivers wardrobe artistry that merges fantasy with Filipino elegance. Cinderella’s powder-blue ballgown, complete with terno sleeves, is a standout—evoking timeless princess glamour with a nationalistic twist. And Lea Salonga’s bespoke <strong>Rajo Laurel</strong> finale gown? A moment. Regal, structured, and emotionally resonant—it felt like the embodiment of the Witch’s complex arc.</p><div><br/></div><p>The set design, though relatively minimal, doesn’t lack imagination. With Capiz windows cleverly framing the woods, the design infuses a sense of place and identity. While one might wish for a deeper interplay of kinetic elements and moving set pieces, the overall ambiance still casts an enchanting spell. This is a forest where familiar tales are told anew—one step away from your grandmother’s kwentong bayan.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>A Fairy Tale with Teeth—and Truth</strong></div><p>What Into the Woods dares to do—and does so well — is explore the moral gray between right and wrong, wishes and consequences. In this adaptation, the second act’s sobering descent into loss, grief, and accountability hits even harder. </p><div><br/></div><p>Under Arespacochaga’s direction, the production dares to ask: What happens after “happily ever after”? The answers aren’t easy, but they are honest.</p><div><br/></div><p>Through Sondheim’s labyrinth of lyrics and melody, this production deftly explores themes of responsibility, the generational echo of choices, and the quiet courage of doing the right thing when no one is watching. The show is less about escaping into the woods—and more about what we bring back from it.</p>

<p>Theater Group Asia reimagines Stephen Sondheim’s classic with cultural elegance, a star-studded cast, and a touch of Filipino magic.</p>

Theater Group Asia reimagines Stephen Sondheim’s classic with cultural elegance, a star-studded cast, and a touch of Filipino magic.

'Into The Woods' Review: A Mesmerizing, Modern Fairy Tale With A Filipino Soul

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'Into The Woods' Review: A Mesmerizing, Modern Fairy Tale With A Filipino Soul

Carla Buyo

Published August 10, 2025 10:00 AM PHT

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Updated August 10, 2025 03:26 PM PHT

Read More:

Into the woods

theater group asia

stephen sondheim

lea salonga

nic chien

eugene domingo

mark bautista

josh dela cruz

arielle jacobs

joreen bautista

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