Into the Woods at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre

Daily Herald - Recommended

"...Staiger and Stajmiger are fine singers whose acting has authenticity. Their three-dimensional performances reveal a complex, conflicted couple in an imperfect marriage, whose commitment to each other -- though strained -- remains intact."

Around The Town Chicago - Recommended

"...It has been awhile since I have enjoyed a production at The Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights, and to be honest, I went tonight, to see one of my VERY favorite Sondheim shows, “Into The Woods”, thinking I would be disappointed. Guess what? I was not! In fact, I was utterly surprised to see that director Robin M. Hughes, has indeed captured the true essence of what Sondheim (music and lyrics)and James Lapine (book writer) were after."

Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Recommended

"...Hughes makes a curious directorial choice to "update" the second act, signified by the characters wearing modern dress and sporting cell phones, Starbucks and strollers. It makes for some cute sight gags and bits, but it seems a needlessly heavy-handed way to ensure that the audience sees themselves in the story. Maybe it's intended as an extra dose of "reality" for Act Two, where the characters have to deal with what happens when one gets what one wishes for, and performers have to confront a difficult tonal change. Whether the costume design is the secret ingredient or not, Hughes and cast definitely rise to both challenges extraordinarily well, creating a thoughtfully bittersweet bedtime story full of haunting harmonies and ponderable cautionary tales. Like a well-placed spell, neither will be easily shook off."