Into the woods [sound recording] / [music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim ; written and directed by James Lapine].
Material type:
MusicPublisher number: 6796-2-RC | RCA Victor82876-68636-2 | Masterworks BroadwayPublication details: New York, NY : Masterworks Broadway : Distributed in the U.S.A. by Sony BMG Music Entertainment, p2007.Description: 1 sound disc (77 min.) : digital ; 4 3/4 inSubject(s): | Item type | Home library | Collection | Call number | Materials specified | Status | Date due | Barcode | Item holds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Adult CD
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Main Library | CD | MUSICAL Into the Woods | Available | 33111007573286 |
Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:
With Into the Woods, songwriter Stephen Sondheim and librettist/director James Lapine retold a group of children's stories in an intricate, moving way that worked on many levels. In the show, which opened on Broadway on November 5, 1987, and ran 764 performances before closing on September 3, 1989 (making it Sondheim's most popular work in 25 years), Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and other familiar fairy tale characters, joined by a few newly invented ones, engage in interrelated adventures. Sondheim and Lapine's interpretation is informed by child psychologist Bruno Bettelheim's book The Uses of Enchantment, and they not only retain some of the gorier aspects of the original tales, but also add adult complexities. Sondheim's score for Into the Woods is one of his most tuneful, and slyly acknowledges the melodic simplicity of the Disney movie versions of some of these fairy tales, but his lyrics are typically witty and, not infrequently, employ tongue twisters. Song highlights include Cinderella's "On the Steps of the Palace"; the two versions of "Agony," sung by two princes; and "Hello, Little Girl," sung to Little Red Riding Hood by the Wolf. An ensemble cast led by Bernadette Peters (as a witch) navigates those words well. Particularly impressive are Danielle Ferland as Little Red Riding Hood; Robert Westenberg, who plays both the Wolf and Cinderella's Prince; and Tony winner Joanna Gleason. Into the Woods succeeded in enchanting children (some of whom, it must be admitted, probably could have left after the deceptive "happy ending" that closed the first act) along with adults who understood the grown-up references. Recorded at a time when the advent of CDs was expanding the previous length limitations of albums, the original Broadway cast recording used its 69-minute running time to give a good sense of the show as a whole rather than being just a collection of musical highlights. ~ William Ruhlmann
Compact disc.
Previously released in 1988 as 6796-2-RC.
Program notes by Richard Jay-Alexander (13 p. : ports.) inserted in container.
Prologue : Into the woods -- Cinderella at the grave -- Hello, little girl -- I guess this is goodbye ; Maybe they're magic -- I know things now -- A very nice prince ; First midnight ; Giants in the sky -- Agony -- It takes two -- Stay with me -- On the steps of the palace -- Ever after -- Act II prologue : So happy -- Agony -- Lament -- Any moment ; Moments in the woods -- Your fault ; Last midnight -- No more -- No one is alone -- Finale : People will listen -- bonus tracks. Giants in the sky ; Back to the palace ; Boom crunch.
Bernadette Peters, Joanna Gleason, Chip Zien, Tom Aldredge, Robert Westenberg, vocals; with supporting performers; Paul Gemignani, conductor.
Recorded in RCA's Studio A, Nov. 9-10, 1987; bonus tracks recorded Oct. 17, 1991, at Hip Pocket Studios.