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.

Productions

Into the Woods opened on Broadway at the Martin Beck Theatre on November 5, 1987, and played 804 performances. It starred Bernadette Peters, Joanna Gleason, Chip Zien, Kim Crosby, Ben Wright, Danielle Ferland, and Robert Westenberg. The original production won the 1988 Drama Critic's Circle Award and the Drama Desk Award for Best Musical, and the Original Cast Recording won a Grammy Award.

Related Topics:
Broadway - November 5 - 1987 - Bernadette Peters - Joanna Gleason - Chip Zien - Kim Crosby - Ben Wright - Danielle Ferland - Robert Westenberg - 1988 - Circle Award - Drama Desk Award - Grammy Award

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The show was revived on Broadway in 2002 with Vanessa Williams as the Witch, the recorded voice of Judi Dench as the Giant, and other cast members including John McMartin, Stephen DeRosa, Gregg Edelman, and Christopher Sieber. The plot was retooled, with a subplot added involving The Three Little Pigs restored from the earlier San Diego production. Critics were kind to the show, but loyal fans put it down, stressing that the important adult messages of the original production were now undermined with a seeming sense of flippancy. The revival had a 280-performance run.

Related Topics:
2002 - Vanessa Williams - Judi Dench - John McMartin - Stephen DeRosa - Gregg Edelman - Christopher Sieber - The Three Little Pigs

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