The Public Theatre's Shakespeare/Park presents INTO THE WOODS -- Discussion- Page 28

[Holster2]

Posted: 7/31/12 at 3:32pm

When exactly did you see the show? Some of the things you have talked about seem to have changed by now, based on other posts.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 7/31/12 at 3:41pm

sunday.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/31/12 at 3:43pm

WON'T SOMEBODY PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN?? NO ONE IS ALONE, BROADWAYGUY!

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 7/31/12 at 3:55pm

this production is not perfect by any means, but I can honestly say the thought of child abuse did not enter my mind at all while watching it (or afterwards, for that matter). ::shrugs::

[TheHappyPhantom]

Posted: 7/31/12 at 4:26pm

"How old are you...?"

I'm 28, and not by any means a Shakespeare fan. I've got a Masters in theatre, so it's not from lack of exposure or understanding either.

And I do appreciate a new and non-traditional take on Into The Woods, I just don't like when they force it to be a silly, pointless comedy like Princess Bride. The show has a darker, more important messages, and that interpretation weakens it.

[newintown]

Posted: 7/31/12 at 4:38pm

It's not unusual for a revival to be more about the director than the material. In opera, it's standard. Some people enjoy that, some don't. I usually prefer a simpler approach, but that's just me.

[Kad]

Posted: 7/31/12 at 4:40pm

This production is no more comedic than the original production- in fact, I'd say the second act in this one is far darker.

[TheHappyPhantom]

Posted: 7/31/12 at 4:43pm

I've seen the recording of the London version of this show, and I felt the same that the comedy weakened it. It should be verbal not physical with the Witch jumping up and down like a spoiled child. Those moments were painful to watch, but really my only complaint with the show. Although, I honestly thought even the original was a bit too silly.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 7/31/12 at 5:28pm

For what it's worth, in Sondheim's book he compares the plotting of the first act of Into the Woods to Forum, calling them both farces. So though you may not like the comedy being emphasized, at least one of the creators feels that the show should be comedic, at least in the first act.

[Kad]

Posted: 7/31/12 at 5:39pm

Considering Lapine directed the original and apparently had no issue with making highly comedic, I'd say he feels the same.

[JohnyBroadway]

Posted: 7/31/12 at 5:49pm

Moved post to other thread Updated On: 7/31/12 at 05:49 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/31/12 at 5:50pm

But a teenage drug addict can handle anything!

[followspot]

Posted: 7/31/12 at 6:00pm

"... the best constructed farce since FORUM" -- Sondheim on Lapine's INTO THE WOODS book, in the Public program (excerpted from Look, I Made a Hat).

Updated On: 8/2/12 at 06:00 PM

[TheHappyPhantom]

Posted: 7/31/12 at 6:14pm

Well I've always disagreed with that. Forum is the only Sondheim show I absolutely detest. I love the rest. I'm not saying the show isn't funny, I just find physical comedic repulsively common.

Updated On: 7/31/12 at 06:14 PM

[followspot]

Posted: 7/31/12 at 6:18pm

HappyPhantom, how do you feel about hydrangeas? ; )

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 7/31/12 at 6:25pm

You find physical comedy "repulsively common"? Really? I find myself wondering if you even like to see anything comedic, as apparently you would just vomit from the sickening ordinariness of it all.


And in the case of Into the Woods, physical comedy is written into the script, it's not like it was added for this particular production. Think for example, of Cinderella's numerous pratfalls. I don't know why you seem to be holding this show up as some bastion of untarnished perfection, but I think you're talking about a very different show than the one that is actually written.

Updated On: 7/31/12 at 06:25 PM

[TheHappyPhantom]

Posted: 7/31/12 at 6:27pm

@Followspot...LOL

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 7/31/12 at 6:27pm

He's a TheNotSoHappyPhantom.

[followspot]

Posted: 7/31/12 at 10:40pm

So Morgan James and Tony Vincent led a student intensive together today:

morganajames #BDFphilly @MyBroadwayTweet . very excited to teach with @TonyTheVincent and @TitussBurgess this afternoon!

I wonder what shared wisdom they had to impart?
BDF

Updated On: 8/1/12 at 10:40 PM

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 8/1/12 at 12:37am

So it sounds like the reverted back to the Regents park staging of the death. It's an awkward scene but it sounds a lot less awkward then what they tried to do.

[jv92]

Posted: 8/1/12 at 12:41am

It's funny when Sondheim says things like FOURM and INTO THE WOODS are the best constructed musical farces, or James Lapine is the only person who can write musical librettos AND direct them too. Some people might say he's a little biased.

But then, look at the people and productions his shows and statements can be compared to: VICTOR/VICTORIA, Arthur Laurents' NICK AND NORA. The list goes on...

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 8/1/12 at 12:41am

I liked the Regent's Park staging of the death. I LOVED how the Giant was done as well for the production.

[gstrus2]

Posted: 8/1/12 at 11:19am

Hi! When you win the virtual lottery, do they tell you what seats you won on the website, or do you have to go there and find out once you get there?

[xoffender45]

Posted: 8/1/12 at 2:47pm

This may have already been discussed in any of the 20-something pages here, but does Shakespeare In The Park handout Playbills or programs of any kind? And do they sell any window cards?

[Kad]

Posted: 8/1/12 at 2:51pm

There are indeed Playbills and windowcards, shirts, and some other merchandise are sold.