Madonna as the Witch "Into the Woods" in London
Madonna as the Witch "Into the Woods" in London
leeinlondon
Leading Actor Joined: 5/22/03
#0Madonna as the Witch "Into the Woods" in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 8:33am
but just for two charity performances of the show taking place as the Royal Albert Hall on Sunday 22 October 2006 at 3.00pm and 7.30pm
Other cast members include Joanna Riding and Laura Michelle Kelly
#1re: Madonna as the Witch 'Into the Woods' in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 8:41amVERY interesting.
#2re: Madonna as the Witch 'Into the Woods' in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 8:57amif she keeps working with joan lader, she could be quite spectacular in this. just check out the deleted scene on her last documentary for proof.
philcrosby
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/04
#3re: Madonna as the Witch 'Into the Woods' in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 8:57amAnd I thought Madonna was doing the world a favor by giving up her acting career .....
#4re: Madonna as the Witch 'Into the Woods' in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 9:00amI assume Kelly will play Cinderella?
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#5re: Madonna as the Witch 'Into the Woods' in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 9:20am
VERY weird castings until now. The only thing Im think sounds logical is Laura playing Cinderella.
I mean Jo playing Red Riding Hood?? Abit too old. And still wandering what Anita Dobson will be playing... and now comes Madonna as the Witch... WHAT?! Am I the only one who think she cant sing?
I can only hope the castings for the ROH production could be better, like Ruthie as Witch or sth :P
#6re: Madonna as the Witch 'Into the Woods' in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 9:49am
This is a benefit concert for charity. The roles don't have to be cast exactly according to perfect age, etc. But I have in fact seen RRR played by women in their 30s and 40s on many occassions: in fact the two best, funniest takes on the role I've ever seen: Tracey Katz and Megan Lawrence were both well into their 30s when they played the part.
I'd certainly love to hear Madonna's attempt at the Witch. I'm sure some kind of audio recording will surface :)
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AshleyBrownFan123
Broadway Star Joined: 3/24/06
#7re: Madonna as the Witch 'Into the Woods' in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 10:07amI hope a CD comes out! Yay Madonna!
gustof777
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/8/04
#8re: Madonna as the Witch 'Into the Woods' in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 10:11amF*CK Yeah! I can see Madonna kicking ass in this. I am a little biased because I am one of the few that think she's actually a good actress when she has the right vehicle/director. I wish I could be there
#9re: Madonna as the Witch 'Into the Woods' in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 10:40amIf Joanna Riding were playing the witch, then I would be excited about it.
BwayBaby18
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/19/05
#10re: Madonna as the Witch 'Into the Woods' in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 10:48amI am kinda excited i hope they use the more "rap" sounding orchestrations they used for VW.
#11re: Madonna as the Witch 'Into the Woods' in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 10:51amI'm just gonna take a guess... Thye lowered all the keys for her.
#12re: Madonna as the Witch 'Into the Woods' in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 10:58amGo M!
#13re: Madonna as the Witch 'Into the Woods' in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 11:02amDoes anyone have a towel I need to clean up now! I find this exciting beyond belief!
philcrosby
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/04
#14re: Madonna as the Witch 'Into the Woods' in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 11:14am
After seeing Madonna massacre Mamet in "Speed the Plow" and Sondheim in "Dick Tracy" (not to mention her deer-in-the-headlights performance on that year's Oscars), I have NO interest in hearing her do harm to "Into the Woods."
But it is a charity concert and she will certainly sell tickets. It won't matter that she can't hit the notes. 
#15re: Madonna as the Witch 'Into the Woods' in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 11:17am
Actually, she CAN hit the notes. See jerby's post above, about the scene in her documentary in which she works with Joan Lader. She has an operatic voice that she has never used.
I can't, however, vouch for the acting. And timing is so important in this show.
I still think this is really incredible.
CurtisTaylorJr2
Leading Actor Joined: 3/17/06
#16re: Madonna as the Witch 'Into the Woods' in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 11:25amI think this role is suited for her voice
#17re: Madonna as the Witch 'Into the Woods' in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 11:27am
'She has an operatic voice that she has never used'
What?! I do hope there's something more to her than what I'm seeing right now! I certainly cudnt hear anything more than her normal voice in the Evita soundtrack!
Except for 'Children Will Listen' & 'Last Midnight' I dont personally think there's anything too hard to sing well... so I guess she can manage for just 2 performances and thank god it's only 2 performances! Her 'Sooner or Later' was SO bad in that Oscar's performance I nearly cried!
But I guess if it's for charity, they'll need some famous people in it... I'm still really interested what role Anita Dobson will play now that the Witch's role is gone!
#18re: Madonna as the Witch 'Into the Woods' in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 11:32amI though her "Sonner Or Later" was pretty good.
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia
philcrosby
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/04
#19re: Madonna as the Witch 'Into the Woods' in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 11:49am
'She has an operatic voice that she has never used'
Perhaps she should have put it to use in EVITA.
#20re: Madonna as the Witch 'Into the Woods' in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 12:09pm
Maybe she didn't have it then, philcrosby.
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra
Salve, Salve Regina
Ad te clamamus exsules filii Eva
Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes
O clemens O pia
SorryGrateful
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/10/05
#21re: Madonna as the Witch 'Into the Woods' in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 12:17pmMadonna as The Witch? Are you people insane!? I love Madonna's music, but her music is a far cry from ITW. This sounds like an awful idea...
BroomstickBoy
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/21/04
#22re: Madonna as the Witch 'Into the Woods' in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 12:26pm
https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=12041 <---
she's not doing it. Sad, I would've loved to have seen her do it because that kind of challenge could improve her acting abilities, maybe?
Oh well. I'm anxious to see who they cast.
FoscasBohemianDream
Broadway Star Joined: 1/20/06
#23re: Madonna as the Witch 'Into the Woods' in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 1:38pm
I'd have loved to see Madonna's take on the Witch, just for the mere fun of it. This is not a movie or a major revival, this event is probably the only time she'd get to tackle a Sondheim role and I admit the idea sounded appealing.
I do hope they bring in Ruthie Henshall but I'd like her more as the Baker's Wife (though she's completely wrong for the role, but again, it's just a concert). I can't think of any major stars I'd like to see in this show (except for Cher who was supposed to play the Witch in the rumored movie version).
philcrosby
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/17/04
#24re: Madonna as the Witch 'Into the Woods' in London
Posted: 9/7/06 at 2:18pm
"she's not doing it. Sad, I would've loved to have seen her do it because that kind of challenge could improve her acting abilities, maybe?" ....
Hmmm.... after numerous major film releases and two high-profile runs in plays in London and New York, I think her acting abilities are as "improved" as they are ever going to get.
If you have never heard the track from one the original Forbidden Broadway recordings "I Strain in Vain to Train Madonna's Brain" -- well, it's just too funny.
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