Into the Woods

Into the Woods is an award-winning musical featuring a score by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. It debuted in San Diego at the Old Globe Theatre in 1986, and premiered on Broadway in 1987. Bernadette Peters' performance as the Witch, and Joanna Gleason's portrayal of the Baker's Wife, brought acclaim to the production during its original Broadway run, and in a year dominated by The Phantom of the Opera, "Into the Woods" won several Tony awards, including best score. Although not a large part, The Witch has attracted numerous "name" actresses in major productions, including Ellen Foley, Phylicia Rashad, Nancy Dussault, and Vanessa Williams.

Lyric Examples

• "On the Steps of the Palace" (Cinderella)

He's a very smart prince

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He's a prince who prepares

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Knowing this time I'd run from him

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He spread pitch on the stairs

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I was caught unawares

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And I thought, 'Well, he cares,

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This is more than just malice

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Better stop and take stock

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While you're standing here stuck to the steps of the palace.

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• "Moments in the Woods" (Baker's Wife)

Oh if life were made of moments,

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Even now and then a bad one,

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But if life were only moments,

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Then you'd never know you'd had one!

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• "I Know Things Now" (Little Red Ridinghood)

And I know things now, many valuable things

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That I hadn't known before

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Do not put your faith in a cape and a hood

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They will not protect you the way that they should

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And take extra care with strangers

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Even flowers have their dangers

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And though scary is exciting

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Nice is different than good.

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