Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning musical “Into the Woods” is given a great interpretation at Warwick’s Ocean State Theatre Company, thanks to some crisp direction (Kathryn Markey), dazzling costumes (Brian Horton), clever, colorful sets (Clifton Chadick), a live orchestra led by Esther Zabinski, and a terrific cast that knows how to sing the challenging Sondheim music.

It was good to see most of the seats filled at press night. I’m sure that many were attracted by the recent movie which opened up many of the scenes in its lavish productions.

While the movie showed an actual forest, a giant, a beanstalk and a real cow, the stage version requires you to use your imagination. And that’s a good thing. We hear the giant, and later his wife, off in the distance, thanks to some solid sound by Ryan McGinty. I’m not sure who procured the scrawny cow statue on wheels, but it’s a winner, even when it is dying.

The story combines the tales of Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel, all intertwined by the new tale of a baker and his wife who are cursed by a wicked witch. The baker’s wife is barren and they must procure Cinderella’s slipper, Red’s cape, Rapunzel’s golden locks and Jack’s cow to break the curse. There’s lots of running around and intermingling before the stories all come together in a long first act.

As you can expect in the world of fairy tales, everything works out and they all are ready to live happily ever after.

But wait! Don’t put your coats on yet and head for the parking lot. This is not a one-act musical

Act 2 opens with the company singing “So Happy,” followed by Cinderella and Rapunzel’s new husband singing a reprisal of “Agony,” sung as a love song in Act I but now taking on a literal interpretation of their marriages.

There are infidelities, disillusionments, arguments, revenge, death and a giant’s wife seeking justice for the death of her husband. But there is also resolution, and the delightful musical ends with most of them living fairly happy ever after.

Score another success for OSTC and their growing tradition of doing musicals with class and style.

While there is no dancing in the musical, Sondheim’s score requires competent voices, and Markey’s casting has risen to the occasion. I must single out Wayne Hu as Cinderella’s Prince, whose operatic voice shines above the rest, and Erika Amato’s lovely voice as the witch.

Damron Russel Armstrong brings his mellow voice to the role as the narrator.

The large cast of both equity and non-equity performers work well together in a production that requires good timing and movement.

It is always good to see local actors given supporting roles. Last time it was Epic Theatre’s Kevin Broccoli.

This time it was Epic and Mixed Magic Theatre’s Hannah Lum as Cinderella’s sister.

“Into the Woods” continues through May 17 at Ocean State Theatre, 1245 Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick. Tickets are $39-$54. Call 921-6800 for reservations.