Into the Woods
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Introduction to "Into the Woods"
"Into the Woods" premiered in London’s West End at the Phoenix Theatre on September 25, 1990, running until February 23, 1991, for 160 performances. With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Lapine, this musical intertwines classic fairy tales with a dark, modern twist. Directed by Richard Jones, it starred Julia McKenzie as the Witch and Imelda Staunton as the Baker’s Wife, winning the 1991 Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for Staunton. Revived in 2007 at the Royal Opera House and 2022 at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, it remains a West End gem, blending whimsy with profound storytelling.
The Creative Team Behind the Show
Stephen Sondheim’s intricate score and lyrics including "Children Will Listen" pair with James Lapine’s clever book, adapting tales like Cinderella and Rapunzel. Richard Jones directed the 1990 debut, with Timothy Shew’s musical direction and Jonathan Tunick’s orchestrations adding depth. The original cast featured Ian Bartholomew as the Baker and Jacqueline Dankworth as Cinderella. The 2007 revival, co-directed by Will Tuckett and Liam Steel, and the 2022 staging by Terry Gilliam and Leah Hausman, with choreography by Julia Cheng, showcased evolving visions, starring talents like Jenna Russell and Hannah Waddingham over the years.
A Tangled Tale of Wishes and Woes
A childless Baker and his Wife seek to lift a Witch’s curse by gathering items a cow, a slipper, a cape, and golden hair plunging into a forest where Cinderella, Jack (of beanstalk fame), Little Red Riding Hood, and Rapunzel converge. Act I grants their wishes: a baby, a prince, riches, freedom. But Act II unravels the consequences a Giantess wreaks havoc, infidelity fractures bonds, and death stalks the woods. Songs like "Agony" and "No One Is Alone" chart their journey from fairy-tale hope to gritty survival, ending with a fragile, hard-won unity.
Performance and Reception
The 1990 premiere earned critical acclaim, with The Guardian praising its “brilliant subversion,” fueling a 160-show run and Staunton’s Olivier win. The 2007 Royal Opera House revival, with Russell, ran a limited season, while the 2022 Drury Lane production post-Broadway drew raves, with The Times calling it “a dazzling triumph.” Critics occasionally found its darkness jarring, but audiences embraced its wit and emotional heft, with cast recordings from each era charting well. Its blend of fantasy and realism kept it a West End talking point across decades.
Legacy in West End Theatre
"Into the Woods" redefined musical storytelling, its sophisticated score and moral ambiguity influencing works like "Wicked." Its West End runs 1990, 2007, 2016 at the Menier Chocolate Factory, and 2022 total hundreds of performances, bolstered by Broadway’s 1987 Tony wins and a 2014 Disney film. Staged globally in over 30 countries, it’s a Sondheim cornerstone, with London cast albums and a devoted following. From McKenzie’s Witch to Waddingham’s 2022 turn, it endures as a West End classic, proving fairy tales can grow up and resonate deeply.