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 enlarge | Artists: Stephen Sondheim, Bernadette Peters, Joanna Gleason
Label: RCA
Category: Music
List Price: $13.98
Buy New: $7.83
You Save: $6.15 (44%)
New (35) Used (12) Collectible (1) from $7.83
Avg. Customer Rating:  115 reviews
Sales Rank: 1375
Format: Cast Recording, Extra Tracks, Original Recording Remastered
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 68636
UPC: 828766863628
EAN: 0828766863628
ASIN: B0009A40MA
Release Date: March 20, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand new Item. CD, DVD, Book, VHS more than 400 000 titles to choose from. ALL days Low Price !
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| Customer Reviews:
 Sondheim's most beloved musical March 31, 2007
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Of all Stephen Sondheim's musicals, INTO THE WOODS is certainly his most popular and beloved work. During it's 1987 premiere, the show introduced a whole new generation to the magic of Broadway. The original cast is still definitive, and the cast album is one of the all-time classics.
The story weaves together the familiar childhood characters Cinderella, Jack (of Beanstalk fame), Little Red Ridinghood, and Rapunzel; and explores their stories beyond the "Happily Ever After" ending. Whilst Act One is full of delights and pretty much tells the stories as we remember them, Act Two presents a darker and harrowing portrait as the characters, without the help of the Narrator, attempt to rid the kingdom of a Giant on the warpath...
The original cast is still definitive, headed by Joanna Gleason (in a Tony-winning performance) as the Baker's Wife. Her character holds the entire story together, and she reaches a heartbreaking climax with "Moments in the Woods", one of the most beautiful, tenderly-comical songs ever written for a musical. Bernadette Peters plays the Witch, who magically transforms from ugliness to beauty at the end of Act One. Peters brings a lot of gleeful comedy and schtick to the role, particularly in the "Witch's Rap", but also tugs at the heart during the "Lament"; and she gets to belt a frenzied 11 o'clock number, "Last Midnight".
The supporting cast is equally first-rate, with Kim Crosby's crystalline soprano perfectly suited to the high-flown and beautifully-drawn Cinderella; Ben Wright as Jack; and Danielle Ferland's feisty and funny Little Red Ridinghood. Chip Zien brings a lot of depth and feeling to the role of the Baker, and Robert Westenberg skillfully handles the dual roles of Cinderella's Prince and the Wolf.
This is probably Sondheim's most accessible score, but it's a deceptively-difficult one. The music is presented in a chamber-style, with emphasis on piano and strings. The entire score as a whole is fabulous, but highlights would have to include "On the Steps of the Palace", where Cinderella contemplates meeting her Prince again; "Giants in the Sky" where Jack reveals his adventures with the beanstalk; and "No More", where the Baker and his estranged father unite in their grief.
This reissue of the 1987 Original Broadway Cast has been crisply-remastered with three bonus demo songs, from a proposed children's version of the musical ("Back to the Palace", "Boom Crunch", and a re-written "Giants in the Sky").
INTO THE WOODS opened on Broadway at the Martin Beck Theatre on November 5, 1987, and ran for 765 performances.
[Sony/BMG 82876-68636-2]
I LOVE THIS SHOW!!! March 23, 2007
This show is amazing! The book is fantastic, and Sondheim did an ABSOLUTELY AMAZING job writing this score. His lyrics are superb. and melodies are unforgettable! I LOVE IT!! 2nd Favorite show!!!!!
Gleason, Zien, Peters, Sondheim, Lapine... What could be better? July 20, 2006
With an all-star cast and production team, it's no wonder that this show is one of the best ever written. When you combine the endless talents of the wonderful Joanna Gleason with the ridiculously incredible music of Stephen Sondheim, the result is a good year at the Tonys. Gleason's Baker's Wife, for which she won the Tony, is touching, heartbreaking, relatable, witty, smart and hilarious, not to mention the incredible vocals. Chip Zien and Gleason are a match made in heaven and play off of eachother extremely well in such tracks as "I Guess This Is Goodbye/Maybe They're Magic" and "It Takes Two". Bernadette Peters, with the help of the rest of the outstanding cast, relays an extremely powerful message, and she does it with, as usual, amazing vocals. This Sondheim-Lapine musical is talent at it's best.
Favorite Tracks Include:
-I Guess This Is Goodbye/Maybe They're Really Magic
-Any Moment/Moments in the Woods
-Your Fault/Last Midnight
-It Takes Two
-Agony (Reprise)
-Finale
-Ever After
Fans of Gleason, Zien, Peters, Sondheim, Lapine, and the rest of the cast will adore this heartfelt, witty, smart musical and, I guarantee, will listen to it again and again.
One of the Best! December 19, 2005
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Sondheim's "Into the Woods" is a true classic in every sense of the word. The music and lyrics are wonderful and invetive, and this cast recording lives up to it all. This recording has one of the best ensemble casts I have heard. The best performances IMO come from Robert Westenberg, Johanna Gleason, and of course Bernedette Peters who was robbed of a Tony nod for her awesome performance as the witch. My favorite numbers are Prolouge, Hello Little Girl, Agony, Giants in the Sky, Moments in the Woods, No One is Alone, and Finale. Make sure to get a hold of the wonderful video reocording of this show with the original cast as well!
 Fun, Accessable Songs June 26, 2005
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
In the middle of the late 80s "British Invasion" ("Le Miz", "Phantom") came Stephen Sondheim's brilliant "Into The Woods", a look at fairy tales and what happens after "happily ever after". Although it lost to "Phantom" for Best Musical, it did pick up Best Score & Actress (Joanna Gleason).
Unlike some of Mr. Sonheim's other scores, "Into The Woods" contains many "accessable" songs which are thoroughly enjoyable outside the context of the show. The lyrics, as usual, are clever & the cast performances (namely, Bernadette Peters as the witch, Chip Zien as the baker, and the aforementioned Gleason as the baker's wife) are terrific.
Best Tracks include:
Agony
Ever After
Any Moment/Moments In The Woods
Your Fault/Last Midnight
No More [beautiful song!]
No One Is Alone
Finale: Children Will Listen
Another great score from Mr. Sondheim!
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