Stage Review - Into the Woods (Mustard Seed Theater)
Stage Review - Into the Woods
Presented By: Mustard Seed Theater - Seattle, WA
Show Run: June 05 - June 14, 2026
Date Reviewed: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Run Time: 2 Hours (including at 15-minute intermission)
Reviewed by: Breanne Jensen
Once upon a time in a far away land there lie a theater in Tacoma, where a fairytale book exploded and all the characters of your classic tales, found themselves on stage at Mustard Seed Theater Company. Following their stories, matched with the music and lyrics of musical genius Stephen Sondheim, “Into the Woods” is a story that gives every character what they want as they wish it and what follows after happily ever after. When we get everything, we want, is it what we had hoped for it to be? Are we happy? Did we betray our beliefs to get there? Did we hurt others along the way at our expense? Did we falter from the path? Everyone regardless of their journey or choices is human and has purpose and everyone is savable with forgiveness. Sometimes when a theatre company is run through or part of a religious organization, outward perspective is that the show and talents are going to be less than other organizations and for those of us who have endured this label, we know that regardless of the building, it is the story and the people behind it are the ones who create something much bigger than expected!
In the first act of the production, we have a witch with a secret (or several), a baker and his wife who wish to have a baby, Cinderella, Prince charming, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the bean stock… just to name a few. A spell many years ago was cast that affected every single character to some extent or later would, in ways some may not even see. In efforts to reverse the curse and the characters, per the witches’ instructions, they must head to the woods to fetch magical items and feed them to Jack’s adorable best friend and cow Milky White. Along the way, every individual moves in a way to encourage their own desires preventing one another from obtaining their wish until they all decide to work together. As act one leaves off on what appears to be a happy note, the narrator lets us know this is “to be continued” and has the audience wondering, what does come after “…and they lived happily ever after”?
Mustard Seed does a wonderful job at using their space to create these cozy environments even when a show could appear large by reputation. The minimalistic sets (created by Travis Hicks) are effective and also add whimsical elements to certain moments with help from scenic designs (by Brianne Hughes) projected on to the walls to elevate the environment. This specific production also had a directorial debut by Morgan Holady who created a solid production with great characters as well as first time assistant director/assistant stage manager Melika Mindemann who uplifts everyone she meets. Sarah Farley, costumer, created gorgeous jewel toned color schemes and flattering choices for each actor. Holady and Mindemann have a great team and base in stage manager/tech director, Chloe Sullivan, vocal director Katie Hausler and the rest of their tech and creative teams. Great job to all on a lovely production with many laughs and tears, just as “Into the Woods” should be! The robust and talented orchestra led by Rachel Nies, kept up with the challenging music of Sondheim both in tempos and rhythms, my only criticism, is that when sitting close to them during the performance, there were certain moments that drown out the actors, not sure if maybe drum shields around them all would help alleviate that, but it didn’t detract from any of the enjoyment!
The cast was a mixture of veterans to the Mustard Seed stage and others making their debut which always adds such a fun melting pot of excitement and mentorship which is what this community of theatre is supposed to be about! Returning star, Alex Terry who plays Little Red Ridinghood, brings the bratty, whiney and gluttonous character to the forefront and leaves no stone unturned in their delivery both vocally and in comedic timing. Terry impresses me more every time I see them perform and I cannot wait to see what they end up doing next. Little Red, loves to challenge and antagonize her rival in the story Jack, played by Caleb Osborne, who has the heart-breaking task of selling his best friend, Milky White (adorably played by Elle Tena), in exchange for money per his mother’s instructions. Osborne’s performance of “Giants in the Sky” was maturely sung for his age and matched all of his talented costars in their level of talent and comfortability on the stage that brought tears to my eyes because there is something about him that just emulates hope. Both he and his talented mother, known as Jack’s mom, played by Lindsay Delmarter, sing beautifully and match well in their pairing as mother and son. My only complaint is not getting to hear more of Delmarter’s voice! Cinderella played by Juli Dowd, does a fantastic job at her vocal deliveries and switching between peasant and princess while also bringing gentility and likability to her role.
Opposite of Cinderella is her beau, Prince Charming (also the wolf), played by MST regular Noah Carr. Carr’s comedic bits, melodramatic facial and physical expressions with his mix of princely vocal notes and gravely wolf tones, make it hard for you to take your eyes off him or stop giggling at his moments of quaff egotism. If you ever have been able to work with Noah Carr either as a castmate, crew mate or even direct him, you know that it is a true joy and pleasure to work with him. My favorite line in the show belongs to him, “I was raised to be charming not sincere”. Rapunzel’s prince played by the wildly talented Howy Howard, who brought his own princely qualities all the while going toe to toe in expression, drama, vocals and comedy with Carr made the duo and their duet(s) of “Agony” two of the best songs in the production, that had thunderous applause following- deservedly so! The baker’s wife (I hate that she doesn’t have her own name!) was executed lovely by Jordan Duncan. Duncan’s vocals are strong, bold, confident, witty and stood out with authenticity. While faced with the challenge of wanting a child with her husband the baker (nicely played/sung by Sean Payne), she grows in both her convictions and affections and her story ending always makes me so sad, which means Duncan did her job leaving the audience rooting for her character even after she makes mistakes and strays from her path.
Last but certainly not least, is in my opinion the lead of the show, the witch masterfully played by Angel Mergens. Mergens has easily one of the best voices in our area and should be singing everything, everywhere, all at once if humanly possible. Her vocals are powerful yet sorrowful, tender and engaging, while simultaneously holds up to the task of the insane syncopations the witch has to rhythmically spar with. Mergens brings a mythical witchy vibe with a sprinkle of overly protective mother- and her character is the balance between leading the show and the charge of the plot, whilst also knowing she is the master of her own fate, good or bad. As she says in the show, “I’m not good, I’m not nice, I’m just right, I’m the witch, you’re the world” and I feel that Angel Mergens perfected her performance and embodied every fiber of the witch, leaving my jaw on the floor after, “The last midnight” (which I think should have earned her the final bow!)
The reason I love this show so much and try to see it whenever I can isn’t just for the characters, the music (that I’m still humming while writing this) or impactful lyrics, but the life lessons that are embedded in the subject material and the words as well. Community, theater and spirituality go hand in hand when it comes to a sense of finding the place where one feels that they belong. However, because we are human, it can be easy to treat others, even the ones we care for most. We treat other poorly, we hurt them, we malign or defame them- unintentionally or intentionally and lose sight as to why we signed up for the community and place of belonging in the first place. Our choices are our own and whether we make a mistake or a mistake is thrust upon us, forgiveness is essential especially in the teachings/beliefs of spirituality. As human beings it is our job to extend grace to those who have unjustly betrayed us and/or turned their backs on us during a time of need, rather than stay bitter and burdened. When we hold on to those hurts, when we continue to “cast the spell, that is the tale you tell”, about yourself, not about others and that should be a self-reflection rather than projection on to others. To quote the show “someone is on your side, someone else is not.
While we’re seeing our side, maybe we forgot….” And maybe as a society and a community we are forgetting to use kindness and understanding to others, leaving others feeling isolated and alone, but with your community or your spirituality or your art, “no one is alone”. Our legacy we leave behind is our children, our future generations and how we choose to shape those people by how we treat them and teach them is our choice, but, as the Sondheim wrote, “careful the wish you make, wishes are children…. careful the spells you cast, wishes come true, not free….”. Our children, our cast mates, our congregations, our friends, our employees watch us, learn from us and return and put into to the world what they take from each of us, so let’s be careful to not cast a spell “that will last past what you can see, then turns against you”.
Forgiveness, change, accountability, acceptance, loss, life and love are all things that can be found on your journey, “Into the Woods”. Mustard Seed’s production values continue to grow in their quality and subject materials and I am excited to see what their Producer Gerod cooks up for next season. The cast was strong, the sets effective, the acting was charming and the direction/technical aspects were all lovely. Whilst the show has ended already, the cast deserved to be noticed and celebrated for their hard work and the great show they put on. Remember to choose your path carefully when entering the woods and know that it is ok to make mistakes because when your heart is in the right place, the truth always come to the light. “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and never to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”- Jeremiah 29:11.
The Mustard Seed Theater production of Into the Woods closed on June 21, but if you’d like to learn more about the organization and any upcoming programs or productions, visit https://oslc.com/mustardseed/.
Photo credit: Gerod Bass
