Playwright's Character Revisions- Into the Woods

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Playwright'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

Playwright'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.

Playwright's Character Revisions- Into the Woods

Posted: 10/7/10 at 7:16pm

Yes 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!

Playwright'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

Playwright's Character Revisions- Into the Woods

Posted: 10/8/10 at 12:32am

Good point about the Witch. I was just doing a reflection and it was one of my observations from my analysis. thanks!

Playwright's Character Revisions- Into the Woods

Posted: 10/8/10 at 12:32am

Good 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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