Stephen Sondheim's "Into The Woods" has a wonderful premise, wonderful music and a universal premise: be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. The film takes place in the forest where The Baker (Chip Zien) and his wife (Joanna Gleason)want a child. Unfortunately, due to a curse placed on his home by the witch (Bernadette Peters), this doesn't happen. Only if they complete a task put on them by the witch can the curse be removed. They go on a journey "into the woods" to find 4 items: The cow as white as milk, The cape as red as blood, the hair as yellow as corn and the slipper as pure as gold. The 2 of them are not alone in their quest to have their wishes granted: Jack (Ben Wright),whose cow he has to sell for food; Little Red Riding Hood (Danielle Ferland)is on her way to visit her grandmother; Rapunzel (Pamela Winslow)lowers her corn-yellow hair so the witch can climb it: and Cinderella (Kim Crosby)desperately wants to attend the ball and gets her gown and beautiful slippers. Through a series of intertwining events, everyone gets what they wish for.
It isn't until the second part of the musical when things get dark. With everyone's wishes granted, not everyone is living "Happily Ever After". Many of the characters are totally unhappy. And with the arrival of a visitor from the past that is seeking vengeance on one of the inhabitants, things turn tragic.
The songs are incredible (Especially "Children Will Listen," "Last Midnight." and "No One Is Alone."),the costumes and scenery are great, and all of the stars shine. But it is Gleason and Peters that really shine in their roles. The musical will have you laughing and crying. A must have.
It isn't until the second part of the musical when things get dark. With everyone's wishes granted, not everyone is living "Happily Ever After". Many of the characters are totally unhappy. And with the arrival of a visitor from the past that is seeking vengeance on one of the inhabitants, things turn tragic.
The songs are incredible (Especially "Children Will Listen," "Last Midnight." and "No One Is Alone."),the costumes and scenery are great, and all of the stars shine. But it is Gleason and Peters that really shine in their roles. The musical will have you laughing and crying. A must have.