Phylicia Rashad in "Into the Woods"

[Candleshoe2]

Posted: 6/10/06 at 11:37pm

I was wondering if anyone knew of any pictures of Phylicia Rashad as the Witch in "Into the Woods"? I'd love to see what she looked like!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/10/06 at 11:42pm

I've seen one picture, but I've never seen it online. It was on the door of a drama teacher's office at my old college. She looked phenomenal -- very regal and elegant.

(Act 2 costumes/makeup, obviously. :) )

[Elphabuff2]

Posted: 6/11/06 at 12:12am

You know, I was actually wondering about this photographing of Phylicia as the Witch not too long ago. Any pictures would be appreciated on my behalf.

So, Bernadette replaced Betty and then Phylicia replaced Bernadette? Am I correct in thinking that Phylicia performed that year for the Tony Awards?

Clarification/details would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 6/11/06 at 12:34am

Really? I didn't know all of that! Can you tell more?

[morosco]

Posted: 6/11/06 at 12:37am

[morosco]

Posted: 6/11/06 at 12:37am

Sorry that pic is so large. I don't know what I'm doing.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/11/06 at 12:57am

Thanks! Morosco, do you use PhotoShop? Just go to Image Size and change it there.

That's a different picture than the one I was thinking of, though.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 6/11/06 at 1:10am

Nice Book! This is the first time I've ever seen Betsy Jolson since the Sweeney Todd DVD! She looks great!

[Elphabuff2]

Posted: 6/11/06 at 2:08am

Greatly appreciated! What a find! Thanks so much; those seem very rare.

[jaybrrd]

Posted: 6/11/06 at 1:12pm

Here's the story:

Betty Buckley was originally cast and performed the original production in California. She couldn't be bothered to show up on time for most of it, and one night in particular, where she held up the curtain for half an hour, the powers that be let her go.

The Broadway run had already been confirmed and they were now without a star. James Lapine turned to Bernadette, who agreed. However, Bernadette's run was forced to be a short one because Bernie had contractual obligations to a movie (was it Slaves of New York or Pink Cadillac?), and if I'm not mistaken departed the show before six months had even passed.

Enter Phylicia, who was actually quite a household name at the time, thanks to the Cosby Show. Phylicia performed at the Tony Awards that year.

Later into the run, the entire original cast returned for a week of performances to film the show for PBS's American Playhouse. What we see on our DVDs is the first ITW reunion of sorts, at that point very few of them were still in the show regularly. Bernadette had to redub many of her tracks, she was very sick that week.

Finally, unrelated trivia -- Jeff Blumenkrantz, Dick Cavett and Marin Mazzie are also in the list of notable replacements for ITW (Jack, Narrarator, and Rapunzel, respectively).

[Candleshoe2]

Posted: 6/11/06 at 1:33pm

Thanks so much for this picture! She looks great! I recently "heard" her do the part, and I really liked her take on the character, much different than Bernadette's. If anyone has the Tony Awards performance or any photos, that would be great!

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 6/11/06 at 1:52pm

Thanks for that information jaybrrd!

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 6/11/06 at 3:35pm

Yes, Phylicia Rashad did perform in the "Into the Woods" number on the Tony Awards. (I wish that the people who put together the "Broadway Greatest Performances" DVDs had used that one instead of the one from the revival.)

Regarding Betty Buckley, I beleive that she was only in the workshops. Ellen Folley, who later appeared on the NBC comedy "Night Court", appeared in the original San Diego/Old Globe Theater production. I have a tape of the show with her in it. A year or so later into the run, she did take over the part of the Witch on Broadway.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 6/11/06 at 3:41pm

Wow Bernadette has terrible luck with filming. I believe she was also ill for the Sunday dvd.

[bjivie2]

Posted: 6/11/06 at 3:42pm

I also heard that Buckley was in the original production. I think Ellen Foley might have been her understudy or standby, because I've heard the same story of Buckley in that show.

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 6/11/06 at 3:45pm

Buckly only did the workshop. Ellen Foley played the Witch at the Old Globe production. And then she was the last Broadway Witch.

[sondheimboy2]

Posted: 6/11/06 at 3:46pm

Well, Ellen Folley got reviewed as the Witch when "USA Today" reviewed the show in San Diego, Pre-Broadway. I recently found the clipping which I saved at the time.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 6/11/06 at 3:57pm

Thanks for posting the pics

Bernie will always be my favorite Witch But Phylicia looks good and I remember her performance at the Tony's.

[Candleshoe2]

Posted: 6/11/06 at 5:38pm

If anyone finds the Tony Performace, please post it! Thanks!

[theatretenor]

Posted: 6/15/06 at 4:10pm

Sorry to bring this back up...Morosco, what did you get that picture from? Is it a book of some kind?

[philcrosby]

Posted: 6/15/06 at 4:26pm

That photo page is from THEATRE WORLD, the by-the-year annual of productions, edited by John Willis.

[robbiej]

Posted: 6/15/06 at 4:30pm

Am I the only one here who actually SAW Ms. Rashad?

She was magnificent. Chilling and, as someone said, regal. Simply gorgeous in the transformation.

I also saw Ellen Foley towards the end of the run. Sexy as hell.

[theatahguy]

Posted: 6/15/06 at 4:40pm

I'd have sold my mother to have been able to see Ms. Rashad. Gah, I can only imagine the brilliance...

[sondwisenheimer]

Posted: 6/15/06 at 4:52pm

I saw her do the role. She was terrific. I especially remember the soulful, rhythmic vibe she gave the "greens, greens, and nothing but greens. Parsley, peppers..." sequence. I also thought Cleo Lane was great in the tour.

[Color and Light]

Posted: 6/15/06 at 4:57pm

Wonderful pictures, but I had no idea Betsy Josyln went on as the Witch. Huh!