Into the Woods

First tried out at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego in December 1986, Into the Woods took a look at the darker — or grimmer — side of fairy tales in dealing with the themes of communal responsibility, the importance of showing consideration to others, and the values we pass on to our children. The story brings together such familiar characters as Cinderella and her Prince, Jack the Giant Killer, Little Red Ridinghood and the Wolf, Rapunzel, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty, plus two original characters, a Baker and his wife, and puts them in a plotty tale that gets somewhat burdened down by the allegorical references. This was Stephen Sondheim’s second musical with librettist-director James Lapine, the first being Sunday in the Park With George. It also involved the same costar (Bernadette Peters), set designer (Tony Straiges), costume designer (Patricia Zipprodt), lighting designer (Richard Nelson), and music director (Paul Gemignani). During the run, Miss Peters was followed by Phylicia Rashad, Betsy Joslyn, Nancy Dussault, and Ellen Foley. In the summer of 1988, Dick Cavett took over the part of the Narrator for two months. The road company, which toured for 10 months, was headed by Cleo Laine (Witch), Mary Gordon Murray (Cinderella), and Charlotte Rae (Jack’s Mother). THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber Lyrics: Charles Hart, Richard Stilgoe Book: Richard Stilgoe & Andrew Lloyd Webber Producer: Cameron Mackintosh & The Really Useful Theatre Co. Director: Harold Prince Choreographer: Gillian Lynne Cast: Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman, Steve Barton, Judy Kaye, Cris Groenendaal, Nicholas Wyman, Leila Martin, David Romano, Elisa Heinsohn, George Lee Andrews Song: “Think of Me”; “Angel of Music”; “The Phantom of the Opera”; “The Music of the Night”; “Prima Donna”; “All I Ask of You”; “Masquerade”; “Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again”; “The Point of No Return”

Music

Stephen Sondheim

Lyrics

Stephen Sondheim

Book

James Lapine