Into the Woods Revival? Anytime Soon?- Page 5

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 6:55pm

Lol. That makes no sense. Who was the mother??

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 7:05pm

I want to say that he didn't die in this version, but I don't remember. I thought the point of the boy as the narrator was that he was the baby that the baker tells the story to at the end of the show.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 7:09pm

The second act in this production is a nightmare that the boy has once he's fallen asleep. The actor who plays the Baker becomes the boy's father in modern dress at the very end and wanders into the woods in search of his son.

It actually makes a lot of sense in the context of the production and I think it works extremely well. This production is excellent and it does a wonderful job of distancing itself from the original without hindering the integrity of the piece.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 7:10pm

Well that was how it was originally written finding out the old narrator was the bakers son. It worked in that moment but not as a whole. I'm curious why they would revisit that idea now and why this show seems to go through so many unnecessary changes when it's pretty damn perfect just the way it is. I can't think of any other Sondheim show that's changed SO much this often.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 7:13pm

Jordan, what's great about this production is that it takes only the changes that have worked (in my opinion) in the many revisions this show has gone through. It's isn't your beloved original production, but it's a conceptually brilliant new one.

[ChenoKahn]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 7:14pm

Well maybe they liked that concept Jordan. Just because you don't think it works doesn't mean other people don't.

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 7:17pm

The whole production is through the boy's eyes. The beginning shows him running away from home because his parents are arguing. He pulls action figures, dolls, trolls, etc out of his backpack and starts the story.

Act two is him falling asleep and having a nightmare. As bad things happen in the show the boy (or a double, rather) tosses and turns in his sleeping bag on stage. He is still thrown to the Giant but where it's a nightmare he's not really dead.

The climax shows the Baker in modern dress finding his son in the woods, hugging him, and telling him a story. It's incredibly touching and isn't necessarily trying to be the Baker saying "this is OUR story" so much as just a story in general.

Jordan, I HIGHLY recommend renting/purchasing this production from digitaltheatre.com

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 7:25pm

Thanks, ChenoKahn. As always you add so much. Yes, obviously it's my opinion. Where did I ever say I'm speaking for everyone?

And nasty, I tried a while ago but couldn't get it to play. Someone told me they were sending me a DVD of it but Im still waiting.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 7:36pm

Thanks, ChenoKahn. As always you add so much.

L O L

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 7:42pm

I want a DVD! Who do I have to sleep with?

[NoHSMisNotAMusical]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 7:54pm

Can we gather up the original cast for an interview? I know Tom Aldredge passed away in July, but everyone else is still kicking. I want to see what Ben Wright looks like! I have the biggest crush on him as Jack. I have scoured the interwebz, the last thing he did according to IMBD is a short film which I can't find online. I can't even get a birthdate.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 7:56pm

He was part of Sondheims City Center gala last year and looks great. He pretty much looks exactly the same lol.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 8:03pm

Keep Sutton Foster as far away from this as humanly possible.

I concur, and I would also add, let's keep her brother and sister-in-law (both of whom have done the show regionally) away from this as well.

How about Chip Zien as the Mysterious Man, in a nice little nod to the original production?

Laura Osnes would be my choice for Cinderella.

Not sure about the Baker's Wife. Too bad Jan Maxwell is too old to play it now.

Can they please get Jackie Hoffman to play the Stepmother?

[random person 112]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 8:04pm

Dream cast for this
Baker: Norbert Leo Butz
Bakers Wife: Laura Benanti, or Chenoweth who i really want to see play the bakers wife. But still Benanti first choice.
The Witch: Jane Krawkoski, Kate Shindle, or Sherie Rene Scott.
Cinderella: Laura Osnes

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 8:07pm

Oh wow, Laura Osnes as Cinderella sounds fantastic. I honest to God think that's the best casting idea I've heard so far for a revival!

[AC126748]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 8:09pm

My dream cast, borrowing from what some others have suggested:

Narrator/Mysterious Man: Kevin Kline
The Witch: Toni Collette
The Baker: Josh Radnor
The Baker's Wife: Martha Plimpton
Cinderella: Laura Osnes

Adam, what about Jackie Hoffman as Jack's Mother?

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 8:10pm

Osnes would be sensational. Benanti would be a great Baker's Wife. I've wanted Sherie Rene Scott as The Witch for years now, but they're looking for a star.

Updated On: 1/9/12 at 08:10 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 8:11pm

What about Nancy Opel as the Witch?

[AC126748]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 8:12pm

She would sing the crap out of it, but if they're really looking for a name, she won't even be on their radar.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 8:13pm

Adam, what about Jackie Hoffman as Jack's Mother?

She could probably play either role, though I feel like she'd be too campy as Jack's Mother- Her schtick might work better as the Stepmother. She'd need to be well directed as Jack's Mother to not be too over the top.

Also, if you've seen her most recent solo show, you know that her dream is to be a "real actress" doing Sondheim shows. She'd probably kill to be in this production. Updated On: 1/9/12 at 08:13 PM

[random person 112]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 8:14pm

Opel is going to be a picture of youth and beauty? I don't think so. I repeat Krakowski for the witch if they want a name who could still sing the score. Laura Benanti could proably handle the bakers wife as long as they don't make her belt it.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 8:18pm

Laura Benanti could proably handle the bakers wife as long as they don't make her belt it.

Laura Benanti would have no trouble with the Baker's Wife's approximately 6 note vocal range. The character's big solo isn't belty at all. In fact, I can't think of any instance where she has to belt. Joanna Gleason certainly wasn't a belter and her performance in that role is iconic.

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 8:26pm

Since they're looking for a name for the witch, I want Sara Ramirez.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 8:29pm

Since they're looking for a name for the witch, I want Sara Ramirez.

I was just coming in here to post that very idea!

Another thought I had...Leslie Kritzer would be a dynamite Baker's Wife. Too bad they'll probably want a bigger name.

[random person 112]

Posted: 1/9/12 at 8:32pm

Chenoweth for the bakers wife?