Into the Woods- Directed by John Doyle

[jagfkb]

Posted: 6/25/07 at 6:50am

what do you think of this idea? I could picture a percussion playing witch, a flute playing rapunzel, a piano playing narrator, violin playing princes, a clarinet playing baker family, and maybe even a trumpet playing steward. The cast might be too large to all have instruments, but I still think this would be a great production for Doyle to rework.

[wiggum2]

Posted: 6/25/07 at 6:54am

ugh

[musicalkid]

Posted: 6/25/07 at 7:29am

In my opinion, the actor-musician thing has worn itself out.

it was a very novel and unique concept, but overdoing it pretty much spoils the fun. there ARE shows that could benefit from using it, and become very fresh, but frankly, i don't think Into The Woods is one.

shows that might work with the actor-musician thing IMO:
Pippin, Barnum, assassins maybe, falsettoes maybe,

Updated On: 6/25/07 at 07:29 AM

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 6/25/07 at 7:34am

The narrator playing piano? So there's no piano after his death? That's a great idea...

I agree with Musicalkid...some would work, but not "Into the Woods"...and I'm not convinced "Barnum" would either, for me, a lot of the charm, was the fun acrobatics.

[JasonM12480]

Posted: 6/25/07 at 7:57am

I still think my idea about a revival of "CATS" with a bunch of singing, dancing, instrument playing felines would top them all. I'd like to see them do high kicks while playing guitar, thank you.

Agreed - actor/musician stuff is done and pretty ridiculous. Musicians were meant to play in an orchestra in a pit to accompany the show - not be on stage as part OF the show.

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 6/25/07 at 8:48am

Tell ya what, let's have the National Theatre mount another all-Sondheim season and have Doyle direct *everything*. Then maybe he'd get this out of his system and we could all go back to some normalacy instead of these gimmick-laden "events".

[Wicked63]

Posted: 6/25/07 at 8:52am

Roumours in the UK not too long ago that he was in preperation for a UK production of 'Barnum' -cant wait to see the double bass doing a back flip on the high wire OR even Joice Heth trying to play the piano at age 199!

[Midnight Radio]

Posted: 6/25/07 at 9:04am

Quite frankly I think that it would work beautifully with Assassins and push the interaction between them.

Into the Woods, not so much...

This gimmick really only works well with small, intimate shows, and I would hate to see a show like Into the Woods paired down. I think you would lose alot of that almost epic fairy tale magic...

[SarahNYC]

Posted: 6/25/07 at 9:18am

Double Ugh.

I am sooooooooooooo ready for actors to put down the instruments.

Although it worked tremendously well for Sweeney, it's only adequate for Company and the third plus time would be official overkill. Just my opinion, but I'm ready to give musicians back the work!

[Wicked63]

Posted: 6/25/07 at 9:23am

At least you guys will be spared the awfullness that was "Mack And Mabel' ! Gee! How Lucky Can You Get

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 6/25/07 at 10:33am

I'm pretty sure Doyle has already done Into the Woods.

Akiva

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 6/25/07 at 10:35am

I think one of the cows plays the bass fiddle

[ElFantasma14]

Posted: 6/25/07 at 10:41am

Into the Woods is one show that I think needs a big production. It's a fairy tale, so everything has to be larger than life. I just can't see it working in a scaled-down version. And even though I love Sweeney Todd and dearly wish I could see Company before it closes, i think Doyle should give it a rest.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/25/07 at 10:46am

MAKE IT STOP

[misschung]

Posted: 6/25/07 at 10:47am

stop what - Doyle or all these threads on his technique? I find the latter to be more irritating

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 6/25/07 at 10:56am

I concur with LizzyCurry. Doyle needs to stop his gimmick. Once or twice is unique, after that its obnoxious.

[xoxRogue]

Posted: 6/25/07 at 11:13am

I'm pretty sure Doyle has already done Into the Woods.


He did -- to my knowledge. I believe there was a past thread on it and a picture floating around somewhere. And it did not involve instruments (at least from the picture).

Edit: Here's a link: https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=893562

sicetergo posted a picture, but the link no longer works. I'm sure I can find it.


Edit: Here's a link that lists what he has directed up to 2000:
https://www.btinternet.com/~j.m.doyle/fullcv.htm

Edit AGAIN: I found a picture. It's not the best quality, but it's something.



THE GUARDIAN said "Doyle's impressively simple shoestring production is performed by a highly talented cast of actor-musicians who take playing, singing and acting in their stride."

So perhaps they did play instruments?

Updated On: 6/25/07 at 11:13 AM

[EdmundOG]

Posted: 6/25/07 at 11:18am

"Musicians were meant to play in an orchestra in a pit to accompany the show - not be on stage as part OF the show."

And what's with all these actors dancing? And singers acting?

[Producer2]

Posted: 6/25/07 at 11:22am

Barnum would work very well- especially during "Come Follow The Band." But you're right, no more!!!!

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 6/25/07 at 11:41am

"I could picture a percussion playing witch, a flute playing rapunzel, a piano playing narrator, violin playing princes, a clarinet playing baker family, and maybe even a trumpet playing steward."

We can actually have a flute play Repunzel? Since when can instruments become part of the union and act, sing, and dance?

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 6/25/07 at 12:45pm

"I think one of the cows plays the bass fiddle"

No, no, the CAT played the fiddle. The cow jumped over the moon. Or was that in RENT? Now I'm confused.