When I see a show late in its run, or the run itself is short, I’ll take some time and provide a short take on the production…

Into the Woods – Spreckels Theatre Company

Pluses: cast, live orchestra, costumes, puppetry work

Minuses: show length, repetiveness, audio issues

Long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe started to cram multiple characters into a single movie, Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine did it with fairy tale characters in their musical Into the Woods. Cinderella, Jack (of beanstalk fame), Little Red Riding Hood, and Rapunzel all cross paths with a couple of princes, a baker, his wife, and a neighboring witch as each seeks to gain something that will fulfill their lives, only to find that “happily ever after” often isn’t. Good thing there’s a narrator around to explain things.

Director Sheri Lee Miller has an all-star cast of North Bay musical performers (Maddi Scarbrough, Andrew Cedeño, Nicole Stanley, Evvy Carlstrom, David A. Bradbury, Drew Bolander, Noah Vondralee-Sternhill, Megan Bartlett, Dani Beem, and more) expertly wrangling with the challenging Sondheim score, which is delivered by a top notch ten-piece orchestra under the direction of Lucas Sherman. The cast has been colorfully costumed by Donnie Frank, and this big, brassy musical is somewhat swiped by Sam Coughlin’s silent puppetry work as Milky the Cow.

That they all keep the energy level up for close to three hours is a tribute to their commitment. The show could stand to lose a couple of characters and one or two of the 26 reprises in the show (a slight exaggeration). It was disappointing that some of the vocal work, particularly when voices were raised (and they’re raised a lot in this show) or songs were belted (and they’re belted a lot in this show), was accompanied by loud, unpleasant burts of distortion over the speakers.

See it before it closes? Yep, it’s a treat to see these many talented folks on a single stage but you might stop by your favorite coffee shop and grab a double espresso before you head to the theater.

‘Into the Woods’ runs through October 12 in the Codding Theater at the Spreckels Performing Arts Center, 5409 Snyder Lane, Rohnert Park. Fri-Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 2pm. $16 – $42. 707.588.3400. spreckelsonline.com 

The Comedy of Hamlet! (a prequel) – SRJC Theatre Arts

Pluses – an energetic, talented young cast

Minuses – Plot? What plot?

The Reduced Shakespeare Company’s Reed Martin directs his and Austin Tichenor’s prequel to Hamlet with a cast of eleven boisterous JC students (Orion Pudoff, Jathan Reynolds, Gwenevieve Nelson, Josie Porter, Sophia McCann, Ethan Fuller, Mariah Burgos, Oakley Cruce, Bella Farrell, Alana Green, John Schiebert) essaying the roles usually handled by three performers.

If you’ve been left with unanswered questions after reading Hamlet (and who hasn’t), then The Comedy of Hamlet! may be for you. The first act kind of delves into what might have been going on before Shakespeare’s play begins, but the second act veers into an Elizabethan Nunsense-type fundraiser for a nunnery (and gleefully cops to it.)

It’s a typical RSC show, with non-stop verbal wordplay, physical gags, topical references, and Hamlet Easter eggs thrown at the wall (with many of them sticking) for two blissfully-brief 45-minute acts.

See it before it closes? Sure, a little frivolous entertainment is good for the soul right now and supporting students studying the arts is always worthwhile.

‘The Comedy of Hamlet! (a prequel)’ runs Thurs–Sun through October 12 in the Frank Chong Studio Theatre in Santa Rosa Junior College’s Burbank Auditorium, 1501 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. Thur-Sat, 7:30pm; Sun, 2pm. $12–$25. 707.527.4307. theatrearts.santarosa.edu