The 2022-23 Broadway season kicks off tomorrow night, as the second Broadway revival of Into the Woods begins previews at the St. James Theatre prior to a July 10 official opening. The musical features a beloved score by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Lapine; direction for this revival is by Lear deBessonet and choreography is by Lorin Latarro. Leading the principal cast are Sara Bareilles, Brian d’Arcy James, Patina Miller, Phillipa Soo, Gavin Creel, and Joshua Henry. Rounding out the cast are Aymee Garcia, Ta’Nika Gibson, Annie Golden, Albert Guerzon, Brooke Ishibashi, Kennedy Kanagawa, David Patrick Kelly, Julia Lester, Nancy Opel, Cole Thompson, David Turner, and Alysia Velez. Into the Woods — which had a brief sold-out run at New York City Center Encores! in the spring — will play a limited engagement through August 21.
“Little Red has strayed far from the path, Jack’s found a second beanstalk, Prince Charming’s eyes are wandering, and there’s a Witch living next door. Stephen Sondheim’s most popular musical turns the world of fairy tales topsy-turvy, reminding us that granted wishes often bring complications. Filled with exquisite music and brilliant lyrics, this innovative new production is sure to enchant as it ventures beyond ‘happily ever after.’”
I am seeing Into The Woods at the St. James Theatre in NYC. I am going to the first preview of this production on Tuesday, June 28 at 8pm.
I also saw the 2022 ENCORES! Production at New York City Center on Thursday, May 5. It was my first ever live production of the show and I thought it was phenomenal. If they had maybe a couple of more days of rehearsal, it would have been better. I saw the performance where Sara Bareilles forgot the words on stage but I did not care because it is live theatre anything can happen.
I cannot wait to this production again because this cast is just insanely talented and seeing at the St. James Theatre is just iconic. I wish it was playing at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre instead but they are probably still striking down the set from the previous show.
Gutted I won’t be at the first preview of my favorite show. I’m getting a steady stream of updates about the production and I’m beyond excited, especially for Brian.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
I was at invited dress tonight. It’s as magical as it was at City Center. Sara has only gotten better, Brian is a perfect Baker. The two of them together is a dream. Patina Miller is home at last on Broadway and we should all be so grateful. I was hesitant about a new Witch after the divine Heather Headley gave (what I would consider) the definitive performance of the role. But Patina is breathtaking. I still would say Julia Lester is the standout.
I’ll be going again on opening and can not wait to see how it grows.
CATSNYrevival said: "New Witch dress looks much improved."
Yes, but couldn't they have put Cinderella's stepfamily in ANYTHING else? The Cinderella outfit also looks identical, which feels lazy. Hopefully her gown is at least different.
Jordan Catalano said: "Brian’s “No More” & “No One Is Alone” are gonna destroy me, aren’t they?"
Out of respect for the dress rehearsal process, I won’t comment on the show as a whole yet, but yes. Yes they will.
Also a hilarious blooper during It takes two when Brian accidentally flung the corn into the first few rows of the audience (which led to some hilarious ad libing about how many ingredients they had)
-There's the muddle in the middle. There's the puddle where the poodle did the piddle."
Man, they were not kidding when they said that in terms of the physical production/set design this would be an exact transfer with no bells and whistles added. I thought they might have done a paint treatment on the deck to make it look "woodsy" or added some trees... Regardless, this is a production meant to showcase the score and talent, and a big set is hardly necessary. Looking forward to hearing reports from tonight!
"There’s nothing quite like the power and the passion of Broadway music. "
at least a little “woodsiness” for the broadway transfer
at least some meadowy ramps instead of stairs.
I think when I saw the show I felt having a few more aesthetics would’ve benefited the second act especially since there is so much standing and talking in Act Two.
Act One is such a farce it can mostly just be the performers.
I know besides some costume/cast changes, additional choreography and a new staging of the finale this is just the city center production and I’m more than fine with that. Lapine is thrilled with it for what I’m told is the same reason - that it strips away all the bullsh*t that’s been done to the show over the past few decades and restores it to what it’s supposed to be.
Jordan Catalano said: "Lapine is thrilled with it for what I’m told is the same reason - that it strips away all the bullsh*t that’s been done to the show over the past few decades and restores it to what it’s supposed to be."
This is wonderful to hear –– though it must be acknowledged that some of that bullsh*t is self-inflicted by Lapine himself Very excited to see this production again, "warts and all."
The idea is to work and to experiment. Some things will be creatively successful, some things will succeed at the box office, and some things will only - which is the biggest only - teach you things that see the future. And they're probably as valuable as any of your successes. -Harold Prince
bwayphreak234 said: "Man, they were not kidding when they said that in terms of the physical production/set design this would be an exact transfer with no bells and whistles added. I thought they might have done a paint treatment on the deck to make it look "woodsy" or added some trees...
Yeah, it's very disappointing for these prices they couldn't make it look even remotely expensive.
Sutton Ross said: "Yeah, it's very disappointing for these prices they couldn't make it look even remotely expensive."
But this is no surprise –– we knew from Jordan Roth's very first NYT interview about the Bway transfer that it would be a replica of City Center's physical production. People are paying to see the talent, the show itself, the full orchestra, etc...as someone who saw it at NYCC and is paying less to see it on Broadway, to me it feels like a worthy ticket price for a very limited special engagement. I don't think a maximalist design would sell any more tickets or make this WOODS any more likely to recoup in 8 weeks.
Sutton Ross said: "bwayphreak234 said: "Man, they were not kidding when they said that in terms of the physical production/set design this would be an exact transfer with no bells and whistles added. I thought they might have done a paint treatment on the deck to make it look "woodsy" or added some trees...
Yeah, it's very disappointing for these prices they couldn't make it look even remotely expensive.
I did notice a few little extra bells and whistles, some updated costumes, and some extra lighting cues here and there, but it’s virtually the same as it was over at city center.
-There's the muddle in the middle. There's the puddle where the poodle did the piddle."