elphaba610 reviews Into the Woods CD

[elphaba610]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 10:36pm

Ok, so I borrowed the cd of into the woods from my friend and I thought I would give it a listen. Big mistake. The music makes no sense what so ever. What the hell is the witch singing in the begining? Rap music in a musical?? I dont think so. There were some nice songs like agony and the last midnight. On a scale of 1 to 10...I give it a 3. I would never see this on broadway. Too childish for my tastes. I guess its back to my wicked cd for now. Perhaps i'll listen to a different show later on?

[zoran912]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 10:38pm

Funny. Open your mind, then re-listen. Give it a few years maybe. Into The Woods is more mature than you give it credit for.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 10:38pm

Hahaha, too childish.

[Carl Magnum]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 10:39pm

Hold on...........I'll let you know when I'm done beating my head on the keyboard.......opinions are one thing, but you're just fvcking ignorant...........

[Johnnytoc]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 10:40pm

Wow. People never fail to amaze me...ever. Good job being totally closed minded.

[dotmarie]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 10:41pm

It takes awhile to get used to Sondheim stuff. and yes.. Into the Woods is actually an incredibly mature, adult show...even if it may not seem like it. =) The themes are amazing. Give it another chance...and if you can, get the DVD. It's what got me hooked onto the show. =)

[Aigoo]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 10:42pm

Bahahhahahahahahahahahah!

[almostxfamous]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 10:45pm

...Into the Woods is too childish? I've heard a lot of people say that was one of his most mature shows. And if you're listening to Wicked, you might want to ease yourself into more mature stuff like Into the Woods. If you want to listen to Sondheim, start with the works you've heard stuff from that you like. Or, something more simplistic. Don't completely write it off. Listening to Into the Woods and then Wicked just .. doesn't work.

[gumbo2]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 10:49pm

unbelievable. into the woods is one of the most complex mature shows ive ever seen. did you listen to the revival or the original cast?

[LaVieBoheme2]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 10:49pm

I'm speechless... and that's rare for me. I can understand that Wicked to Sondheim might be a big jump for some, but childish? No, my dear, but I think that a good example of childish may be near you... do you have a mirror handy? Sorry, I really don't want to be mean, just give it another listen.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 10:50pm

Watch the DVD of the show that was released, and give it another listen. I DOUBT you'll be able to say it's "too childish" after that. There's a lot more to it than what you're getting.

[Theaterlover2]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 10:52pm

Listen again. Think about the lyrics. Think about the connections between the songs. The underlying meaning throughout. It's complex, it's smart, it's amazing. No offense to Wicked, but it can't hold a candle to anything Sondheim. And I do like Wicked. You just can't compare.
So my advice. Try it again.
Just my opinion of course...and if you listen again and again and never quite click with it, We can agree to disagree. :)
TL2

[zoran912]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 10:52pm

S/he must have listened to the revival CD, which I love. However, there is a drum beat during the witch's part of the opening number. It sounds somewhat hip-hop-ish. I can understand the dislike of that, but to call the show childish...oh dear.

[theatrebabe]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 10:56pm

Oh. my. god.

[BluCat500]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 10:57pm

Bleh, haven't we already dismissed this poster as a purposely contentious troller already?

I hereby propose that we should...Just pop her name into the search engine, removes all doubt, and its amusingly crazy stuff!

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 11:00pm

Not even going to respond to this thread.

[Aigoo]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 11:02pm

MFL, you hypocrite.

[toodramatic]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 11:06pm

WTF!?!?!?!?!?!?! I'm sorry did you ACTUALLY just say 'God Into The Woods is immature, oh well, back to Wicked'!?!?!?!?!?!?!

I seriously hope this is a sick joke 610.

Now I like Wicked I really do...but its s*** on a stick compared to Into the Woods.

Stephen Sondheim is a complex and brilliant writer. Considered by many to be one of the greatest, if not THE greatest writer in contemporary theatre (musical or non). PLEASE I beg of you re-listen.

[dotmarie]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 11:07pm

elphaba610: try taking a nice lonnnggg break from Wicked. I know it'll be hard to tear yourself away, but please. PLEASE give Into the Woods a few more listens. do a little bit of research. watch the dvd. Hopefully it will enlighten you a little bit -- Into the Woods is anything BUT childish. just a suggestion..

[WickedJerseyGirl]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 11:11pm

Elphaba, I told you to listen to Rent next. Baby steps, baby steps...

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 11:12pm

Having just seen a production of INTO THW WOODS (I have seen 12 over the years) it never fails to amaze me how rich, how dense and how bloody enjoyable the show is.

True, much of the music is not simple straightforward melody. When writing wordy songs, Sondheim wants us to focus on the words, while more simple lyrics are accompanied by lush melodies. Anyone who says Sondheim can't write a melody need only listen to "Children Will Listen" or "No One is alone."

The score weaves together many different music and lyric ideas into a wonderful tapestry. James Lapine's book is clever beyond words, despite a second act that dwells on reaction rather than action for much of the time.

The diction on the OCR is impeccable - esp Bernadette Peters' rapid fire "rap" about zapping vegetables. (Didn't your friend loan you the booklet with the synopsis and lyrics?) And yes, why no use rap in a musical if it is appropriate (and here it is VERY appropriate, giving the witch feistiness. Rock music is all about anger, after all.)

I would suggest giving it a few more listens (following with the libretto) or better yet see the VHS or DVD of the original Broadway production.


I guess its back to my wicked cd for now.

This is the most troubling part of your post. WICKED does not have anywhere near the level of sophistication in music, lyrics or text that INTO THE WOODS has. The more you listen to WOODS the more you will discover about the score. (There was a list here recently of about 2 dozen musical and verbal motifs.) If WICKED and all the other current Broadway shows had 1/4 of the thought and effort put into their creation as has WOODS, Broadway would be much more rewarding

[moulin724rouge]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 11:15pm

I can understand that ITW might not be apealing after hearing it without knowing anything about the show... but seriosuly see the DVD and then decide... because you'll never understand it until u see it

[kgee30]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 11:16pm

Naturally the music makes no sense if you're accustomed to lyrics like this:

Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game

This, on the other hand, while it may not be your proverbial cup of tea, is anything but childish:

Running away -- we'll do it
Why sit around, resigned?
Trouble is, son,
The farther you run,
The more you feel undefined
For what you have left undone
And, more, what you've left behind

[Calvin]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 11:21pm

Tee hee hee. You guys are way too harsh. This was the most brilliant piece of satire I've read in a long time.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 9/7/05 at 11:24pm

I find it funny that people take this seriously.