Written by orange• November 11, 2025• 3:33 am• Alchemy Theatre Company, Musical, Uncategorized, Yorba Linda

Alchemy Theatre Company present: Into the Woods @ Yorba Linda Cultural Arts Center – Review

Photo credit: Katelyn Abaya.

Written by Zack Johnston

The enduring Broadway classic Into the Woods finds its way back to Orange County in a new production from Alchemy Theatre Company. It is directed by Miguel Cardenas and plays at the Yorba Linda Cultural Arts Center now through Nov. 23.

Story/Set Design:

Written by James Lapine, with brilliant music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Into the Woods is an amalgamation of several classic fairy tales, including Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Little Red Riding Hood. These familiar characters all cross paths with a baker (Tim Woods) and his wife (Elisabeth Hunter) on their journey to break the curse set on their home by an evil witch (Stephanie Yglesias). These plotlines all converge in what seems like a happily-ever-after narrative, but of course, fairytales are never quite that simple.

The intimate performance venue features a practically non-existent proscenium, giving D’Angelo Reyes’ set design for this production an almost immersive quality.

Toward the back of the stage, snaking tree trunks extend up to the ceiling. The trunks are decorated to invoke the enchanted forest where most of the story takes place. Amidst this thicket of trees, there are several levels for the actors to utilize, with many interesting focal points to build up the humor and suspense of these larger-than-life characters.

Acting:

Much of the acting is delivered in tandem with playful musical cues, along with lighting and sound effects. The result is a performance full of camp and whimsy, contrasting with the show’s heavier tones on morality.

Half the fun of this show lies with Sondheim’s award-winning score that allows this magical world to exist on stage. Although this production lacks live instrumentals, the vocal arrangements are crystal clear and sung with prowess.

The cast does an exceptional job of maintaining a steady pace as they move through this story of over a dozen characters.

Standout performances include The Witch, one of the show’s iconic antagonists.

Yglesias’ portrayal [as the witch] is filled with menacing energy, and her vocals are superb.

Sean Arnold’s makeup design for The Witch succeeds in looking grotesque without encumbering the performer.

Marcus S. Daniel and Daniel Gilmer are hilarious as the show’s two dashing young princes, constantly in competition with one another. In songs like “Agony,” they display just the right kinds of exaggerated movements and excessive chauvinism.

Of course, no production of Into the Woods is complete without the iconic Milky White, whose puppet design by Sean Arnold is on par with that of the recent Broadway revival. Emily Curington brings the beloved heifer to life with endearing humor and attention to detail.