Playwright's Character Revisions- Into the Woods
Playwright's Character Revisions- Into the Woods
CueBass!
Swing Joined: 8/15/10
#1Playwright's Character Revisions- Into the Woods
Posted: 10/7/10 at 5:57pm
Hello,
Didn't quite know how to word the title, but my main question is about whether or not playwrights in interview or article give their characters more of a back story than in the script. A specific example would be the Witch in Into the Woods. I performed the 'rap' in class and had to make up a background for her, which troubled me because I knew that she had a more mysterious and magical past than I could give her. Was she ever discussed by Sondheim or Peters? If not, what do you think her mother was like? Or where she went at the end of "Last Midnight"?
Updated On: 10/7/10 at 05:57 PM
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#2Playwright's Character Revisions- Into the Woods
Posted: 10/7/10 at 6:41pm
It's usually the actor's job to give the backstory to the characters, not the playwrights. If the playwright thought that HIS ideas were absolutely necessary, they would BE part of the script.
I'm not trying to be snippy here at all. Does that mean it's never discussed? Not necessarily. But at a number of interviews the writers of N2N have been at odds with what they "think" about backstories.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
CueBass!
Swing Joined: 8/15/10
#2Playwright's Character Revisions- Into the Woods
Posted: 10/7/10 at 7:16pmYes that makes sense. And as for N2N- they've done a pretty good job, regardless of what happened in their back stories, thanks for the example!
Swing Joined: 12/31/69
#3Playwright's Character Revisions- Into the Woods
Posted: 10/7/10 at 7:34pm
If you "knew that she had a more mysterious and magical past than I could give her" why didn't you give her a more mysterious and magical past?
And I don't think you need to hear if from LaPine's mouth to guess that the Witch's mother was exactly like the Witch.
Updated On: 10/7/10 at 07:34 PM
CueBass!
Swing Joined: 8/15/10
#4Playwright's Character Revisions- Into the Woods
Posted: 10/8/10 at 12:32amGood point about the Witch. I was just doing a reflection and it was one of my observations from my analysis. thanks!
CueBass!
Swing Joined: 8/15/10
#5Playwright's Character Revisions- Into the Woods
Posted: 10/8/10 at 12:32amGood point about the Witch. I was just doing a reflection and it was one of my observations from my analysis. thanks!
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