Into the Woods You Go Again, You Have to Every Now and Then

Once Upon a Time…

I wished, more than anything, more than the moon, to see Into the Woods live. After two midnights in New York, I strolled into the St. James Theater, to see the legendary musical on Broadway! The musical has always had a special place in my heart, and not only because I played the Witch when I was nine (my Nana thought I was brilliant!). It’s a beautiful story about parents and children and chosen family under a metaphorical guise of the fairytales we all know and love.

'Into the Woods’ premiered on Broadway in 1987 with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by James Lapine (who also directed the production and would later direct the first Broadway revival in 2002). The current production on Broadway has received well deserved rave reviews. It is exactly what a Broadway show should be. The actors' confidence and talent engaged the audience, both those old hands familiar with the show and the newbies, immediately. Their joy in what they’re doing infects the audience and a ten minute standing ovation at the end was a well deserved result. There were a lot of new editions to the cast this week and yet the performance was seamless. Real life husband and wife, Sebastian Arcelus and Stephanie J. Block were a magical duo as the Baker and the Baker’s Wife. As the Witch, Montego Glover walked away with every scene she was in.

Lear deBessonet’s direction was a perfect combination of homage to the original and just the right amount of freshness to surprise and delight. Equally with Rob Berman’s musical direction of Sondheim’s classic music. The orchestra, instead of being in the pit, was on full display, upstage a great design/director decision.

If you are in New York City, ‘Into the Woods’ has been extended until January 8. If you see one show, make sure it's this one!