Customer Reviews

Into the Woods

5 star:		(162)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The DVD of Sondheim's INTO THE WOODS is not that remarkable other than the fact that it's great to have this wonderful television production available in the format. The picture is crisp and the sound is pristine. There are no extras on the disc. I do enjoy the chapters, however. Unlike my video tape version, it's great to be able to skip to a particular song I wish to view.

INTO THE WOODS is such a great show. The first act is hilarious and witty. It very smartly weaves together all those fairy tales so familiar to us all. Then act two makes us look at them through adult eyes. I think Sondheim and Lapine are telling us that in fairy tales as well as "real" life, the simple words "I wish..." are truly the beginning of whatever story each of us is about to tell. They counsel us to be careful of what we wish in life -- our wishes effect everyone.

My favorite song in this production is "The Last Midnight" which is performed by Bernadette Peters as the Witch. It is very macabre and Sondheim reveals so much about the Witch's character through the lyrics. Plus, it gives Ms. Peters an opportunity to belt!

INTO THE WOODS is a hoot! Enjoy it.

"Into the Woods", though not his masterpiece (that title belongs to "Sweeney Todd"), is proabably the great Stephen Sondheim's most poular and oft-performed show. This tremendous original cast brings the magical songs of Sondheim and the ground-breaking book of Jame Lapine's together to make for a magical Broadway experience.

When "Into the Woods" first opened on Broadway in 1987, it was greeted with great anticipation. After all, this was to be the newest Sondheim show... and it was starring Bernadette Peters. The show became an instant classic as audiences loved the show.

The plot revolves around the Baker and his Wife, who want to have a child, but due to a witches's curse, cannot. They have to find "a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn and a slipper as pure as gold" in order to reerse the curse. On the way, they encounter many characters from well-known tales, like Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack the Giant Killer and Rapunzel. However, the second act involves many dark and twisted twists, as we journey onto what happenes after "happily ever after". The plot becomes much less joyous as in the second act...MUCH less happy. The show is magnificent on the outside, with its' intricate yet followable plot and Sondheim's masterful songs. One of the most interesting things about this musical, however, is the metaphor that extends throughout. (I'll let you figure it out yourself).

The score includes oft-recorded songs such as "Children Will Listen" and "No One is Alone". ALL of the songs are great though. From the mournful "No More" to hysterical "Agony" you will savor every moment.

The cast, including Chip Zein, Joanna Gleason and Bernadette Peters, are inmaculate. Their interpretations are dead on, with beutiful renditions of every song. Especially Gleason and Peters.

The show won the 1988 Tony's for BEST SCORE, BEST BOOK and BEST ACTRESS (Joanna Gleason who was incredible as the Baker's wife).

Buy this magnificent Sondheim show and dive into the world of Sondheim.

*****Two Notes: 1) If you would like a more complete sample of Stephen Sondheim, buy the "Stephen Sondheim Collection" on Amazon.com. It includes 6 DVD's: "Into the Woods", "Passion", "Sunday in the Park with George", Concert of "Sweeney Todd", Concert of "Follies" (both of these concerts are incredible), and the once-in-a-lifetime event "Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall".

2) If you buy the cast recording for "into the Woods", buy the one with this ORIGINAL CAST!! Do not buy the one from the recent revival cast, though they were great, they do not even compare with the original.

I was amazed to discover that Into the Woods, the Broadway version with Bernadette Peters as the witch, was actually available for purchase--at a reasonable price, too. It arrived swiftly, and when I get time to watch it, I will. I'm sure it will be great, since I saw it years ago on tv and enjoyed it very much.

Just when you thought that your favorite fairy tale couldn't be done any better. This play actually outdoes itself. Bernadette Peters is s always superb. The humor is wonderful and for anyone who can remember the fairy tales Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Little Red Riding hood should see this updated version of them. A wonderful show for youngsters and adults

What can you say about the combination of Sondheim and Bernadette Peters? Absolutely marvelous! The whole cast is great,and it's a wonderful way to enjoy the fairy stories. On the whole, a fantastic evening.

Cinderella, Little Red Ridding Hood, The Baker and his Wife, and Rapunzel-- all in one! The opening number "I wish" is when the Baker and his Wife, Cinderella, Little Red Ridding Hood and Jack sing what they want (to sell a cow, a child, to go to granny's house, to go to the festival) and everything and the Witch comes in and stirrs up trouble and due to her all your average day fairy tales turned upside-down and on their big fat magic butts!

Now of course, the Witch does something (duh)! she makes the Baker and his Wife in order to get a child to get a golden slipper (Cinderella) a cape as red as blood (Little Red Ridding Hood) a cow as white as milk (Jack) and hair as yellow as corn (Rapunzel). Of course, they get all the things with a lot of obsticals. Duh, I mean come on people it's not like they're really going to get all those stuff easy cheesy in a 3 hour play. That's where they sing their other hit song "Into the Woods".

Anyhow, Jack killed the Giant and the wife has come back to find Jack and guess what-- you'll have to find out what happens. So ha! It's so good it's magical.

Starring Bernadette Peters (the Witch) Kim Crosby (Cinderella) Danelle Fernland (Little Red Ridding Hood) Pamela Winslow (Rapunzel) Ben Wright (Jack) Chip Zien (Baker) Joanna Gleason (the Baker's Wife) and of course the Narrator, who does do a lot-- (Tom Aldredge)

HOPE YOU ENJOY! (I saw the 2001 one, so I can't say which one's better) SEE YA! I GUESS YOU'LL BE ON YOUR JOURNEY!

I love many broadway musicals and plays, but this one takes the cake. Everything about it is superb! This taping of the play is excellent, gives you the broadway stage experience while also giving excellent close ups and a little bit of film magic, together creating an ecellent buy! Well, well worth the price, just to see the superb Bernadette Peters! This is a must have addition to any DVD collection!

Into the Woods is a comical musical about classical Fairy Tales. Many of our favorite stories are found here and some interesting turn of events. The phrase 'happy ever after'. Is turned into totally different corners.
The movie has many surprising one liners and memorial scenes. The cast all work well with each other and seem so well matched.

Into the Woods is a very amusing musical staring Bernadette Peters as the Witch. It's the story of the Baker and his wife not able to have children because the Witch put a curse on his house many years ago.
The Baker goes into the woods and tries to break the spell. While he goes through the trials that is pushed up against him.
Other funny and memorable story lines crop up. Such as Jack in the Bean Stalk, Cinderella, and several other that will make you laugh very hard.

This musical is incredible, because of the storyline and how it intertwines the chatacters together. The vocalists are sensational...Bernadette Peters...of course does an inspiring job as the witch. The musical score and the story makes this musical something you just have to see for yourself.