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.
No news flash, then, the latest Broadway revival of INTO THE WOODS that wraps up its national tour at the Ahmanson Theatre, is fantastic. Director Lear deBessonet’s spin on this tale of wishes granted and their consequences both embraces the spirit of Lapine’s original productions and also sends the material off in a different direction. Consistently more rollicking than rueful, deBessonet’s production (which began as an Encores! New York City Center limited engagement before transferring to Broadway) goes light on the technical glitz, but certainly gives the company members plenty of rope to go for their Grimm gusto.
INTO THE WOODS deals with a variety of themes and issues within its packed storylines and dense cast of characters. Reluctant parenthood, loss of innocence, the dangers of wish fulfillment, infidelity and accidental death. All ripe for an episode of 'thirtysomething.' But the two most prevalent tales of INTO THE WOODS are a deconstruction of both The Hero’s Journey and The Heroine’s Journey. Through both the characters of Jack and Cinderella, we see how these models of storytelling unfold. Jack is our Hero of a Thousand Faces, a simple everyman who is plucked from his nowhere town to embark on a journey to a world and life that changes him, and he returns home a better man than he was before. Cinderella, our feminine Heroine, longs for what she believes may be a perfect world, discovers its reality is not what she wants, and re-invents herself to find the balance within that gives her true happiness.
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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