Into the Woods is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. It debuted on Broadway in 1986, and has been performed in many productions worldwide since then. The musical intertwines the plots of several Brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault fairy tales, exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. The main characters are taken from “Little Red Riding Hood”, “Jack and the Beanstalk”, “Rapunzel”, and “Cinderella”, as well as several other classic stories.
Plot Summary
The musical begins in the “once upon a time” of the fairytales, with a narrator introducing the story of a baker and his wife who wish to have a child, Cinderella who wishes to attend the King’s festival, and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a witch’s curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Along the way, they encounter several other classic characters and their wishes. As their journeys intertwine, the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results.
Production History
Into the Woods opened on Broadway at the Martin Beck Theatre on November 5, 1987, and ran for 764 performances. Directed by James Lapine and produced by the Shubert Organization, it starred Bernadette Peters as the Witch, Joanna Gleason as the Baker’s Wife, and Chip Zien as the Baker. The production won three Tony Awards, including Best Score, Best Book, and Best Actress in a Musical (Joanna Gleason).
Revivals and Adaptations
The musical has been revived on Broadway twice, first in 2002 and again in 2012. The 2002 revival starred Vanessa Williams as the Witch and was nominated for three Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical. The 2012 revival, directed by Rob Marshall, starred Meryl Streep as the Witch and won three Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical.
The musical has also been adapted into a film by Disney, directed by Rob Marshall and starring Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick, and Chris Pine. The film was released in 2014 and grossed over $200 million worldwide.
Notable Songs
The musical features several notable songs, including “Children Will Listen”, “Giants in the Sky”, “No One is Alone”, and “Agony”. These songs have become popular in their own right, and have been covered by many artists.
Legacy
Into the Woods has become one of the most popular and beloved musicals of all time. It has been performed in countless productions around the world, and its songs have been covered by numerous artists. The musical continues to captivate audiences and inspire new generations of theatergoers.