The Public Theatre's Shakespeare/Park presents INTO THE WOODS -- Discussion- Page 29

[xoffender45]

Posted: 8/1/12 at 2:55pm

Thanks, Kad.

[theatrefreak0109]

Posted: 8/1/12 at 3:24pm

what does the windowcard look like?

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 8/1/12 at 3:27pm

I believe it looked basically like this...as did the mugs, playbill and other merch.

[xoffender45]

Posted: 8/1/12 at 3:39pm

That's kind of hideous. But I'm still buying it.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 8/1/12 at 4:15pm

Yeah, the poster is horrible.

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 8/1/12 at 4:39pm

The Public is very particular about their merch. They basically hired a company to sell it, not design it. They're sticking with their "one design for the summer" and in most cases that's all you need. I'm sure people weren't clammoring for window cards last summer. Granted the Public should have realized this show would have a greater demand for merch (musicals always do) but if it transfers commercially the logo and merch will be completely different.

[FANtomFollies]

Posted: 8/1/12 at 4:47pm

i'm very curious what the logo will look like if the show does transfer to bway...

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 8/1/12 at 4:48pm

^ Same here! I really hope it transfers.

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/1/12 at 5:53pm

I bought the magnet and I think it only has the Sondheim part of the poster on it with the show title

[gstrus2]

Posted: 8/1/12 at 7:00pm

Is the playbill normal size, or is it the size of normal paper? Hoping it will fit into my Playbill binder.

[gstrus2]

Posted: 8/1/12 at 7:00pm

double post Updated On: 8/1/12 at 07:00 PM

[gstrus2]

Posted: 8/1/12 at 7:00pm

triple post -.- Updated On: 8/1/12 at 07:00 PM

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 8/1/12 at 7:15pm

Yes, the Playbill is normal-sized... it's got more pages than the average Playbill, but it should still fit.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 8/2/12 at 9:55am

Saw it last night. Overall, I really really enjoyed it. Interestingly enough, I think it is the production so far this year that has excited me the most. I haven't seen much else, but this is my top production, so far.

The biggest issue I found with the set was if you were sitting on the far sides of the stage, it was difficult to see the action on the opposite side. Like I was on the right and could not see the left side well at all. Still didn't completely ruin my experience though. I just wonder if it is easier to see if you are more centered.

I'm also going to agree here that Denis O'Hare is the weak link of the whole cast. His baker was just so dull it made me not care what happened to him. But, Sarah Stiles, Gideon Glick, Donna Murphy, and Amy Adams totally made up for him. The rest of the cast was better too. I just can't remember exact people or characters right now to comment on that.

The costumes didn't totally bother me, but some things were better than others. I just want to know what the idea was behind some. Like the Baker, Jack, and The Baker's wife were all wearing clothes that look like from older times, but the rest of them were not. That's the only thing I wonder about.

The child narrator was an interesting idea and I think it worked. If it had not worked out the way it did, it would be weird, I agree.

I do hope this transfers to Broadway. I would love to see it again.

[greensgreens]

Posted: 8/2/12 at 1:53pm

They had t-shirts that just say "Into The Woods" and then have icons of all the things needed for the Witch's potion. They're pretty cute. They also have green t-shirts that are just the Shakespeare/Sondheim logo thing. I like the designs and concepts, but the colors are a touch too bright/harsh for me.

[gstrus2]

Posted: 8/2/12 at 3:44pm

Lost Lotto Again Updated On: 8/3/12 at 03:44 PM

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 8/2/12 at 4:55pm

I saw the show this past Saturday and thought it was a very well done production, but it was clear the lack of rehearsal time in the space (and the set itself) is the main reason for the production being held back from its full potential. Im sure as the run continues, things will tighten up, the cast will feel more comfortable with the set, and it will flow quite nicely (its probably already improved greatly since I saw it).

The set, itself, is something to contend with. Aside from the sheer size of it, I feel like it is difficult for many of the characters to connect, particularly when one person is on an upper level talking to someone below. I dont think this is a reflection of the talent of the actors. The intricacy and physicality the set requires would take much longer than a week-long tech (especially one that was interrupted by rain!) to get used to.

I agree with most of the reviews on here regarding Denis OHares performance  I found it lacking. There were moments I thought it worked, but the biggest problem I found was that there was no growth at the end. I would have loved to see him play the dopey mindless baker at the beginning and then, as he is forced to come into himself later in the show, be able to see a real change. But, I didnt see any character arc. His Baker was almost so ignorant it made me uncomfortable at times.

I found Jessie Mueller to be quite forgettable. Beautiful voice, but, just like OHare, I didnt see growth from a girl who cant make a decision in the beginning to a woman to steps up and takes charge when she needs to. (Sure, the character does step up, but I didnt see any motivation for this change in Muellers portrayal.) Overall, I didnt care about her character (or, even, particularly like her) and Cinderella is the character I usually relate to the most.

I was also disappointed with the princes. I loved Hernandez as the wolf, but he seemed to lose all energy and lost a lot of great moments as Cinderellas Prince. I saw the understudy for Rapunzels Prince and found him to be lacking in every way.

The stand outs for me were definitely Sarah Stiles (I think I saw more character growth in her than anyone else onstage and her energy was great - and big enough for such a set!), Donna Murphy (her relationship and feelings toward Rapunzel were strong and clear, which set true motivations for her overall performance, and easily showed the complexity of the Witch), and Amy Adams (a really great and likeable onstage presence).

I enjoyed the direction (although, SPOILER, I almost would have preferred to not know the child had run away until we see his Dad come looking for him at the end) and think its a great, solid production. Would be very interested to see how the show would shift if moved to Broadway (I think it actually might work better as they wouldnt have such a large space to contend with).

Side note, not sure if its already been mentioned in this thread, but I overheard one of the ushers telling someone that they rarely cancel due to rain, only if its thundering/lightening and dangerous for the actors and audience. They said they will sometimes take a break, have everyone exit the seats, clean the seats off, and start the show back up if the rain is hard enough. This was a big relief to hear, as it started lightly raining during the show (just another thing the cast had to think about in terms of a slippery set!).

[theatrefreak0109]

Posted: 8/2/12 at 11:46pm

What an amazing night of theatre I will post my review later but I wanted to let you know that the original lyrics where used tonight's could not contain my excitement!

[wicked1492]

Posted: 8/3/12 at 12:02am

Original lyrics, where? "Last Midnight"?!?! I certainly hope so. The lyrics that SHOULD be in the place where the "you're so pure..." lyrics are now ("you're so nice...") are some of my favorite Sondheim lyrics of all time.

[pli1018]

Posted: 8/3/12 at 12:20am

SOME of the original "Last Midnight" lyrics are back in place now. The ending is still revival-style, but the latter half feels bogged down by that awkward slowdown of pace. Really feel like that needs to be cut.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/3/12 at 12:20am

Omg, which lyrics?? I'd sh*t if they brought back the "you're so nice..." lyrics.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/3/12 at 12:22am

So she's not singing that section to the baby anymore? I thought tempo changes at the end helped to make the number a lot eerier.

[wicked1492]

Posted: 8/3/12 at 12:22am

Would it kill anyone to give us some GODDAMN DETAILS?!?! ljay and I are on the verge of moving some serious bowels.

Updated On: 8/3/12 at 12:22 AM

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/3/12 at 12:25am

Seriously!!! lol.

[wicked4l]

Posted: 8/3/12 at 12:31am

Saw a friend at Fela tonight who works with Jujamcyn theatres and it was decided yesterday that Into the Woods IS coming to Broadway at the Al Hirschfeld, just like it was predicted to! Very excited about this news!