Upcoming "Into the Woods" Revival...- Page 2
Upcoming "Into the Woods" Revival...
#25Upcoming
Posted: 7/17/14 at 1:44amOkay, 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).
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
RippedMan
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/05
broadwayguy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
#28Upcoming
Posted: 7/17/14 at 2:10am
Wow. I'm glad I'm not the only one who is a little disheartened by the concept for the upcoming revival.
I'm all for minimalism and scaling down the visual elements to highlight the performances, but this is one show that I personally like to see both a spectacle set and great performances.
Asking for the moon?
Lastly, I've done a "one piano," "intimate" version of this show. It wasn't bad, but golly I love hearing a full orchestra play this score. I also think it's important to have at least some of the trumpets/horn section as all that fanfare stuff is important to the princes entrances and exits.
Updated On: 7/17/14 at 02:10 AM
#29Upcoming
Posted: 7/17/14 at 3:21am
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.)
"He found something that he wanted, had always wanted and always would want— not to be admired, as he had feared; not to be loved, as he had made himself believe; but to be necessary to people, to be indispensable."
-F. Scott Fitzgerald's This Side of Paradise
#30Upcoming
Posted: 7/17/14 at 3:39am
Has Sondheim ever not cried, raved, loved, fallen head over hills over a reproduction of his work? 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.
And yes, I was referring to the Encores! staging directed by Casey Nicholaw and starring goddess Donna Murphy at her most goddess-like, a fantastic Victoria Clark, and Michael McGrath and Victor Garber.
"Some people can thrive and bloom living life in a living room, that's perfect for some people of one hundred and five. But I at least gotta try, when I think of all the sights that I gotta see, all the places I gotta play, all the things that I gotta be at"
andsym9012
Swing Joined: 5/6/13
#31Upcoming
Posted: 7/17/14 at 3:40am
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.
#32Upcoming
Posted: 7/17/14 at 4:04am
I hate to say it, Ray, but I think you're right. Sondheim does seem to be very easy to please when it comes to new productions of his work. Maybe he has genuinely loved most of his shows revivals or, perhaps, he'd rather see his work produced and introduced to a new generation, even if not under the best of circumstances.
Oh, well, no amount of bitching is going to change the orchestra situation with this production. Can't wait for the film.
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#36Upcoming
Posted: 7/17/14 at 8:26am
Yes, let's all dogpile on an off-Broadway limited-run production we haven't seen because it's minimalist!
I'd rather a production that tries something new with the material than one that tries vainly to ape the glories of the original production and ends up heartless.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Mattbrain
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/23/05
#37Upcoming
Posted: 7/17/14 at 8:31am
"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?
Butters, go buy World of Warcraft, install it on your computer, and join the online sensation before we all murder you.
--Cartman: South Park
ATTENTION FANS: I will be played by James Barbour in the upcoming musical, "BroadwayWorld: The Musical."
#38Upcoming
Posted: 7/17/14 at 8:40am
"I'd rather a production that tries something new with the material than one that tries vainly to ape the glories of the original production and ends up heartless."
Even if they’re not aping former glories (mmm… former-glory-aping), I don’t get the immediate outcry about minimalism every single time a minimalist production shows up, as though that’s ALL anyone does anymore. What’s the ratio of substantial-orchestra vs. tiny-orchestra productions of Sondheim shows? 90%-10%? *buttons top sweater button*
CHURCH DOOR TOUCAN GAY MARKETING PUPPIES MUSICAL THEATER STAPLES PERIOD OIL BITCHY SNARK HOLES
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#39Upcoming
Posted: 7/17/14 at 8:51am
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.
Poster Emeritus
Updated On: 7/17/14 at 08:51 AM
#44Upcoming
Posted: 7/17/14 at 9:39am
I don't think anyone here has implied that minimalism, in and of itself, is new, but we've not had a professional minimalist production of ITW, have we? So, surely, this can fairly be called "new"?
Besides, from what I understand about this production, it's not only the instrumentation that's unusual, but also the overall aesthetic economy and its approach to storytelling. Anyone who saw their CYMBELINE should know their approach isn't about gimmicks or cheap tricks. They're interested in illuminating texts.
CHURCH DOOR TOUCAN GAY MARKETING PUPPIES MUSICAL THEATER STAPLES PERIOD OIL BITCHY SNARK HOLES
#45Upcoming
Posted: 7/17/14 at 9:41am
Their production of Cymbeline was truly fantastic... and probably the only time Cymbeline was a genuinely and consistently entertaining piece of theatre in decades.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Updated On: 7/17/14 at 09:41 AM
#47Upcoming
Posted: 7/17/14 at 9:47amI 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.
"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
Brian07663NJ
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/21/06
#48Upcoming
Posted: 7/17/14 at 9:56am
How old do I feel?
This will be the fourth production of this in my lifetime and I have already seen the first three (original, revival and Central Park) with each production after the original slowly spiraling further down.
Not going. I've had enough for now...can we let this show rest for a decade or so? Same with other shows that feel the need to close and resurface within a handful of years.
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