Review: ‘Into the Woods’ and stars align in magical night at the Hollywood Bowl

The stars aligned, literally and metaphorically, at the Hollywood Bowl on Friday in a bewitching presentation of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s musical “Into the Woods.” Given a boost by Rob Marshall’s 2014 movie version, “Into the Woods” has been regularly revived in recent years. Patina Miller, who played the Witch as well as anyone before her, is known these days as one of the stars of CBS’s “Madam Secretary.” But the actress who made a winning Broadway debut in the musical “Sister Act” and won a Tony for her performance in the 2013 revival of “Pippin” delivered her tricky powerhouse numbers with range and tonal assurance I’ve rarely seen equaled. Jackson and Chris Carmack, who made a dashingly hammy impression as Rapunzel’s Prince, delighted in their frolicsome rendition of “Agony.” This cheeky wail of two royal bachelors unaccustomed to any delay in their romantic satisfaction, returned throughout the show like a jaunty breeze. Patina Miller, background, as the Witch, and Hailey Kilgore, as Rapunzel, perform in Stephen Sondheim’s musical, “Into the Woods,” at the Hollywood Bowl on Friday.