Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
#1Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 5:29pm
Don't know if this was posted already but according to Broadway.com Meryl Streep is emerging as a possible candidate to play The Witch in this summer's "Into the Woods." Though Stephen Sondheim or the producers didn't confirm or deny the rumors Streep does have Sondheim's seal of approval but what do you think of her possible return to the stage? (which would be her first stage musical and her musical venture since "Mamma Mia")
Meryl Streep returning to Delacorte in WOODS?
#2Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 5:34pmWill this be the biggest star casting in the history of the musical?
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
henrikegerman
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/29/05
#2Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 5:43pm
Not her first stage musical. She appeared as Lillian in Brecht and Weill's HAPPY END on Broadway in 1977, receiving a drama desk nomination. And I believe she was in THE FROGS at Yale.
I think it's great news.
Updated On: 3/2/12 at 05:43 PM
Gaveston2
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/11
#3Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 5:56pm
As usual, Henrik's memory is impeccable. Yes, Streep appears in the cast list for THE FROGS at Yale.
I saw her in HAPPY END. She played the female lead and sang the show's big hit, "Surabaya Johnny". I had never heard of Brecht or Weill at the time and was utterly confused by the show.
But Streep was incandescent from her very first line, which was something like "Hello." I remember thinking, "God damn! Who is that?"
Come to think of it, she is the only thing I remember from that production (the fault being entirely mine, no doubt).
#4Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 6:01pmDid I call it or what.
"I think lying to children is really important, it sets them off on the right track" -Sherie Rene Scott-
#5Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 6:05pmAnyone could have guessed that Streep was in talks for this. It's obvious. Now if it actually happens, that'll be big.
AnythingGoes2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/30/08
#6Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 6:05pmI will be on first plane of this happens to see this show on the first night
#7Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 6:15pmThis would be historic. It would also probably mean that I never get a ticket.
AnythingGoes2
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/30/08
#8Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 6:20pmIt would get a Broadway transfer for sure and sell out
#9Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 6:21pmBut can she sing it?
#10Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 6:21pm
An old professor of mine had a cute story about seeing Meryl in THE FROGS when they were at Yale together. The next time he saw her was when they bumped into each other in the library not long after the show. The next time he saw her was on screen in "Manhattan."
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#11Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 6:37pm
It would get a Broadway transfer for sure and sell out
Streep may not be interested in an extended Broadway run. She is already committed to filming August: Osage County this fall, and is a very much in demand actress.
My hunch is that if she does the show, and if it transfers, they'll line up another Witch for the Broadway run. Of course, this is all supposition at this point.
Updated On: 3/2/12 at 06:37 PM
Gaveston2
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/11
#12Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 6:47pm
But can she sing it?
Yes, Jordan, I think she can. As challenging as the role can be, I don't think it's actually harder to sing than "The Winner Takes It All". And God knows the INTO THE WOODS songs make more sense. (I do realize it's one thing to sing an ABBA song in the studio and then lip sync on camera and quite another to sing the Witch live for multiple performances each week. But I really think Streep can handle the Witch with aplomb; and if she can't, she'll act it so well nobody will notice.)
To my ear, Streep has never had a great voice in terms of pure sound (though it's certainly pleasant enough), but she's an excellent singer technically.
#13Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 6:50pmIf this actually happens and it meant that I couldn't get a ticket (on one of my infrequent trips to NYC) because they'd been snapped up by star-spotters, I would be pissed. I want to see Into the Woods more than I want to see Meryl.
Beyoncé is not an ally. Actions speak louder than words, Mrs. Carter. #Dubai #$$$
#14Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 6:51pmShe'll certainly need the Vanessa Williams keys.
#15Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 6:54pmThis will probably get me tarred and feathered, but I preferred the Vanessa Williams keys. They lent the songs a haunting quality that was otherwise missing.
Gaveston2
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/11
#16Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 7:07pmIf Stephen Sondheim is willing to adjust keys to accommodate a star, I see no reason why *I* should get upset about it.
#17Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 7:08pmI agree with you 100%, adamgreer.
#18Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 7:13pmI've been saying that forever about the Vanessa Williams keys. But some people just really hate any part of that revival.
#19Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 7:18pmThe INTO THE WOODS revival cast recording is played on a loop in hells waiting room.
nasty_khakis
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/15/07
#20Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 7:33pmJust the Kerry O'Malley songs though. If hell is listening to Laura Benanti sing "No One Is Alone" and "On the Steps of the Palace" then I'm glad I'm going.
#21Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 7:46pm
I'll give you that.
O'Malley belongs in jail for what she did to that role.
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#22Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 7:46pmI wonder who started this rumor?
#23Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 7:49pmSondheim acknowledged the rumor in an interview, neither confirming or denying it.
beautywickedlover
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/07
#24Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?
Posted: 3/2/12 at 7:58pm
Meryl would be an interesting choice for the Witch, but if the show were to transfer to Broadway it may interfere with her doing the 'August Osage County' film. It would be best to wait till late winter or early spring to transfer the show to Broadway.
Updated On: 3/2/12 at 07:58 PM
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