Into the Woods Delacorte Theater Rumors: Meryl Streep as The Witch?

[ILOHTFAHA (Aida Man)]

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?

[binau]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 5:34pm

Will this be the biggest star casting in the history of the musical?

[henrikegerman]

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]

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).

[E.Davis]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 6:01pm

Did I call it or what.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 6:05pm

Anyone could have guessed that Streep was in talks for this. It's obvious. Now if it actually happens, that'll be big.

[AnythingGoes2]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 6:05pm

I will be on first plane of this happens to see this show on the first night

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 6:15pm

This would be historic. It would also probably mean that I never get a ticket.

[AnythingGoes2]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 6:20pm

It would get a Broadway transfer for sure and sell out

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 6:21pm

But can she sing it?

[themysteriousgrowl]

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."

[adamgreer]

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]

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.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 6:50pm

If 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.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 6:51pm

She'll certainly need the Vanessa Williams keys.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 6:54pm

This 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]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 7:07pm

If Stephen Sondheim is willing to adjust keys to accommodate a star, I see no reason why *I* should get upset about it.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 7:08pm

I agree with you 100%, adamgreer.

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 7:13pm

I've been saying that forever about the Vanessa Williams keys. But some people just really hate any part of that revival.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 7:18pm

The INTO THE WOODS revival cast recording is played on a loop in hells waiting room.

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 7:33pm

Just 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.

[Jordan Catalano]

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]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 7:46pm

I wonder who started this rumor?

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/2/12 at 7:49pm

Sondheim acknowledged the rumor in an interview, neither confirming or denying it.

[beautywickedlover]

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