Into the Woods first premiered on Broadway in 1987, winning three Tony Awards including Best Score and Best Book. It has since been produced throughout the world and was adapted into a major motion picture in 2014. This production marks its first time on Broadway in 20 years.
DeBessonet's approach suits the musical’s prescriptions so well, because the concert format strips away many of the usual embellishments. The story is all. David Rockwell’s ingenious set plants the 17-member orchestra, conducted by John Bell, in the middle of the woods, with birch trees descending from the heavens as the characters embark on their forest quests. Tyler Micoleau illuminates the backstage wall in ethereal ombré hues of pinks and greens, and Andrea Hood’s amusing costumes walk a runway existing somewhere between chic and Grimm.
With such a wealth of world-class talent, it’s difficult to single out standouts among this enchanted ensemble. Every great fairy tale thrives on its antagonist, and Montego Glover gives a powerhouse interpretation of the not-entirely-wicked Witch whose spiteful curse sets the plot in motion. I was initially distracted by how much costumer Andrea Hood makes Glover look like Yogurt from Spaceballs, but once her inner diva is unleashed she gives Bernadette Peters and Vanessa Williams a run for their money on her iconic “Last Midnight” aria. Gavin Creel’s Prince is a comically callow Ken doll, while David Patrick Kelly (of Twin Peaks fame) makes the oft-reinvented role of Narrator/Mysterious Man feel essential once again.
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 |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2023 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical | Julia Lester |
2023 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Performance in a Musical | Phillipa Soo |
2023 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical | Sara Bareilles |
2023 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Musical | Into the Woods |
2023 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Musical | Julia Lester |
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