‘Woods’ Works Magic Within Its Confines

There are giants in the sky, but few loom so large as “Into the Woods,” the towering musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine that explores the human condition through fairy tales.

A new production of “Into the Woods” at the Interact in North Hollywood demonstrates once again that this show tends to fare better in intimate surroundings. Not only can one hear every clever lyric, but the cozy, bedtime-story atmosphere imparts a welcome intimacy to this cautionary fable.

However, despite the imaginative efforts of director John Rubinstein and set designer Bradley Kaye to overcome the space’s limitations, the staging is technically claustrophobic. Thumbelina-sized playing areas threaten to trip up the actors, and the Witch’s quick-change transformation is not even attempted. Lawrence James Wong provides lively piano accompaniment, backed by Alan Zachary on synthesizer, but this pared-down combo sounds thin.

Fortunately, Barbara Ayers’ costumes range from the picturesque to the breathtaking, and the performers are exceptional.

As the Baker, Rubinstein displays resonant virility and a whimsical spirit, and Leslie Hicks is impressively wry as his wife. Pretty 11th-grader Zooey Deschanel is precociously amusing as Little Red Ridinghood. Michael Weiner poignantly charts Jack’s progression from innocence to experience; as Jack’s mother, Annie Abbott dramatically metamorphoses from fussbudget to fierce mother-protector.

Pure-voiced Susan Hull delights as Cinderella, and Matthew Ashford and Don Fischer nail the laughs as the swashbuckling, vapid princes. And even for those who have seen Bernadette Peters in the role, Amanda Carlin gives a definitive portrayal as the Witch.

* “Into the Woods,” Interact Theatre, 11855 Hart St., North Hollywood. Fridays-Saturdays,8 p.m.; Sundays, 3 p.m. Dark Dec. 23-Jan. 3, closes Jan. 19. $22. (213) 466-1767. Running time: 2 hours, 50 minutes.