Upcoming "Into the Woods" Revival... — Page 2

Okay, it's so hard to judge something based on images, but I think what some of us are a bit tired of the minimalist approach to Sondheim. It just seems very old hat at this point, and not particularly interesting. Perhaps the show itself, by scaling back and putting the story and characters at the forefront, works better than the ill-conceived Broadway and SitP revivals. At the same time, looking at those images makes me have little interest in seeing an INTO THE WOODS that looks like that. Again, there's always the chance that it just works wonders for the show. I never thought I'd care for an Encores!-style FOLLIES and so far that's been my favorite incarnation of the show I've seen (obviously wish I'd seen the incredible and very lavish original production).

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Not the recent version. The reference is to the Encores staging if Follies a number of years back

The most essential thing about this show is the storytelling, and I've never seen a production embrace and embody that more than this one, to a magical affect. I mean after all, we're in the theatre, and this is a musical, about fairytales, magic, and life— artifice exists in its very form, and between structure and thematic content it is impossible to have a fully realistic production of this show. And that's the beauty of Fiasco's work— so much of it exists within the shared imagination of the actors and audience, and in this communal experience it truly feels as though the story is being told by, for, and with everyone in the room.

(Additionally, when Sondheim saw the production at the McCarter, I've ben told he both cried and, after the show, told the cast and crew that it was one of the truest productions of the show he had ever seen. James Lapine spoke similarly.)

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I really hope people give this production a chance. If you are a fan of the material at all it is worth seeing. It is not only the one piano playing the whole time. The cast members all play multiple instruments and obvious play several roles. The way the music is arranged is beautiful in my opinion although very different. There were certain moments where i thought to myself "I've never heard that music before in the show" and i loved that. It gave me a complete different view of a show I know in and out and made me think differently about it. These people know what they are doing and have done their research and put the work in. These pictures may look cheap, but it really isn't at all. The set, while staying the same background is actually quite vast going all the way up past the procenium. On a side note I'm wondering if the woman who is currently in Rocky will be returning to the cast as the witch or if Alison Cimmet is staying in the cast? It looks like she is the only one who has not returned to this cast. Sorry I forget her name but she is the blonde woman who plays Adrian's friend.
Anyways i hope this helped people out a little bit who are unsure of this production.

Great early rehearsal shots! Can't wait to see what this looks like with full costumes, sets, staging, and orchestra!

Oh, wait ...

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Saw the original and have the official DVD of it

No reason or desire to see it again.

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"I'm not accusing him of being a narcissist, but rather the stories that come out every time something of his gets mounted--a film adaptation, a concert staging, a revival, a new arrangement of a song--make it seem like whatever the newest thing is is the best thing and the "truest" thing to his intention that he's seen."

So Stephen Sondheim isn't allowed to have an opinion and at least be glad people are taking interest in his work especially given the fact that none of the original productions of his work have been financially successful?

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The orchestra (or lack there of) reminds me of the one for Annie Warbucks. It was 3 or 4 pieces but that was off broadway. Now not only will the prices be high as usual but you will be getting less bang for the buck. Sort of like them reducing the size of groceries and getting you to believe it is still the same. I will always love theater music but the institution of Broadway is what turns me off now.

Well this and Elephant Man gone as far as I am concerned. Wonder what will be next. The Last Ship did not excite me when I saw the PBS special and heard about the subject matter. It is still the same.

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Updated On: 7/17/14 at 08:51 AM

Why is "minimalist" always considered "something new" when it isn't?

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Why is "minimalist" always considered "something negative" when it isn't?

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Their production of Cymbeline was truly fantastic... and probably the only time Cymbeline was a genuinely and consistently entertaining piece of theatre in decades.

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Updated On: 7/17/14 at 09:41 AM

I am sure of everyone returning except Allison Cimmet as the Witch. Jennifer Mudge played the role at the McCarter, but she is currently in Rocky. No idea if she will return to the production in NYC since Rocky is closing.

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Yes, someone really should teach these shows to stop doing those things.

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