Into the Woods (2002 Broadway Revival Cast)

The strength of the original version is the tightness of the case. In this version, some of the choral songs seem loose. Sometimes, I cannot feel that sense of URGENCY.

I also cannot understand the additional lines inserted. Like "opportunity is not a lengthy visitor" line of Cinderella's mother. It seems misplaced. The impression I get is that the message is being rammed into listeners' throats. For the producers of this CD, I would say that this technique frequently used by Thomas Shepard is not needed for this version. CHILDREN and listeners WILL listen.


An above average recording of a truly great show   June 18, 2003
 1 out of 2 found this review helpful

I had heard that the 2002 Revival cast of "Into the Woods" was good so, being a huge Sondheim fan but not having seen the new version, I figured I might as well by the recording of it. And indeed, it is a good recording--better than most revivals that show up on Broadway now-a-days. Yet, you ask, how does this recording measure up to the timeless Original Broadway Cast one? It measures up quite well, but it doesn't quite surpass (or even equal) the 1987 version.
On the plus side, I think the character of Cinderella is by far the best in this new version. As other reviewers have stated, however, the portrayals of the Witch and the Baker's wife do not come close to matching the originals (how could they?). A personal gripe of mine is the voice of Jack on this new recording (I have gotten used to Malcolm Gets from Mostly Sondheim, who simply soars compared to the singer on this recording) who has a bizarre *shimmer* (I can't describe it any other way) in his voice on high notes. Little Red Riding Hood does an adequate job, in fact rather good, but she doesn't live up to the Little Red Riding Hood on the original recording. The Baker does a good job, and the Princes do quite well in this version.
And I don't need to express my utter respect for Stephen Sondheim and the amazing job he did writing the music for "Into the Woods": it isn't his best music, but it's damn good anyway--better music than almost anything anyone else has written for Broadway in the last 20 years (yep, that includes Webber's *masterpiece*).
So if you don't own a recording of Into the Woods, I would recommend buying the original broadway cast version first (if only for Joanna Gleason and Bernadette Peters). But this recording is an excellent alternative, so don't shy away from it. Plus, it also includes "Our Little World" (a new Sondheim song written for the London production). Any recording of "Into the Woods" has magic, no matter how bad the cast is. And this recording doesn't have a bad cast.


Boy is this grand   May 29, 2003
 0 out of 4 found this review helpful

i love this musical. This version of it is really the best. A great cd for any age. brings the cartoon charactors to life.


Bernedette Is Better!!   April 20, 2003
 1 out of 3 found this review helpful

"Into The Woods" is a nice show. Bernedette Peters is a much better performer and is a better Witch than Vanesssa Williams, but the supporting characters (Jack, Little Red, Wolf) aren't on the original CD. Jack is basically the same on both CDs. Little Red is less annoying in the revival (YESSS!) and the Wolf is funnier in the revival.
The worst performer is Jack's mom. She sounds like Julie Andrews after her vocal tragedy. I think the orginal is funnier, has gusto and does justice to the role. The new mom is discracefull.
I didn't care for the narator. I thought he sounded too soft and not old and baggy in "No More."
I did enjoy Laura Bennenti more than the orginal. But no one can be better than Joanna Gleason as the Baker's Wife. She is the tops and the new one isn't.
In all, buy the Original CD! Not this CD!


Get it over people   April 11, 2003
 5 out of 9 found this review helpful

I'm sorry, but all you harsh critics need to get over yourselves. Yes, the new recording is different from the OBC, and I realize it can be somewhat disorienting listening to a new recording the first time when you have listened to an original for so long, but really. Get over it! Give it a chance. Yes, this recording is different. There are improvements and negative aspects to every recording, but do not criticize this entire recording or all of Broadway, for that matter, simply because this is a new recording. Vanessa Williams brings an entirely different quality to the witch, but succeeds quite well with her own take. On the whole the cast is very strong, and tries to bring a more realistic, nuanced approach to the characters. For all you out there who do not enjoy it, go produce a better revival yourself... or better yet, get a life.