Stepping into the world of Into the Woods, the musical by James Lapin with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, is like entering a twisted fairy tale mashup. The story follows characters familiar from childhood bedtime stories - Cinderella, Jack (of beanstalk fame), Little Red Riding Hood, and a childless Baker and his Wife - all venturing into the woods to fulfill their deepest desires. However, this isn't your typical happily-ever-after journey. As the characters cross paths and their wishes intertwine, they face unforeseen consequences, moral dilemmas, and the true cost of their choices. Into the Woods is a darkly humorous and thought-provoking exploration of ambition, family, and the complexities of getting what you wish for.
The razor sharp focus here, instead, is on a divinely cast, crystal clear staging of the fairytale musical that intertwines the tales of Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk and Rapunzel into a lesson about how adulthood has no happy ending. You won't soon forget Sara Bareilles' perfect rendition of 'Moments in the Woods,' a notoriously tricky song in which the Baker's Wife tries to rationalize some taboo forest frolicking. The actress is so warm and thoughtful during the number, but also flies by the seat of her pants. I've never seen such a relatable interpretation - she's the Baker's Wife of Park Slope.
Into the Woods is arguably the most humorous of Sondheim's shows, and this ensemble of some of New York's finest musical-theater talents has a ball playing up the comedy. But the merriment is never at the expense of the characters' fragile humanity or the material's poignancy.
| 1986 | New York |
Reading New York |
| 1986 | San Diego, CA (Regional) |
Old Globe Production (Pre-Broadway) San Diego, CA (Regional) |
| 1987 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
| 1988 | US Tour |
National Tour US Tour |
| 1990 | West End |
London Production West End |
| 1997 | Broadway |
Reunion Concert Broadway |
| 2002 | Los Angeles |
Los Angeles Revival (Pre-Broadway) Los Angeles |
| 2002 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
| 2007 | West End |
London Revival West End |
| 2015 | Off-Broadway |
Roundabout Theatre Company Production Off-Broadway |
| 2015 | St. Louis, MO (Regional) |
The Muny Production St. Louis, MO (Regional) |
| 2016 | US Tour |
Fiasco Theater National Tour US Tour |
| 2019 | Los Angeles |
Hollywood Bowl Revival Los Angeles |
| 2019 | Immersive |
Rooftop Musical Society Immersive Production Immersive |
| 2022 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Production Broadway |
| 2023 | US Tour |
US Tour US Tour |
| 2025 | West End |
West End |
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Best Actress - Musical | Joanna Gleason |
| 1988 | Theatre World Awards | Performance | Danielle Ferland |
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