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To Stray From The Path: Turning Into The Woods American
James Lapine (book) and Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) started developing Into the Woods in the 1980s by drawing plot lines and characters from a variety of Brothers Grimm fairy tales, such as Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Jack and the Beanstalk. Intrigued by the misconstrued morals of the main characters of these stories, though finding that the stories were very short, Lapine and Sondheimcreated the Baker and his Wife to add to the larger story they were creating. In structuring the show, the focus of the first act would be about each character’s individual quest, and the second act would be about the consequences of their actions and an eventual coming together. The original San Diego production premiered at the Old Globe Theatre on December 4, 1986 and ran for 50 performances, later coming to the Martin Beck Theatre on Broadway on November 5, 1987.
With the stories of the characters and the theme of venturing into unknown territory in order to achieve a greater goal, we decided to evolve Into the Woods from an European fairy tale to an American fairy tale. As the production dramaturg, my goal was to discover the true meaning behind what an American fairy tale stands for and how Emerson College students can feel a connection towards it. This research led me to one of the most influential American fairy tales: L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz. Going through the rehearsal process of Into the Woods and seeing the connection between this fairy tale and Oz, I can say that Oz is an ideal metaphor for the American Dream. Oz, the city, relies on industry: you take scraps, bits, and parts and assemble them into something new. It’s a story of being given a challenge, facing dangers, making friends, and finding yourself. America is the opportunity to be somebody. The American value is self-reliance. The American Dream is to find the thing that will bring you (or Dorothy, Cinderella, the Baker or his Wife) happiness. In an American fairy tale, you are on an adventure to find your place in the world, your identity, where you fit in. We do not need a prince; we go out and solve our own problems. Like the characters in Into the Woods, we are all trying to find our own way.
How Does Music Function In The Show?
Music is one of the main aspects of the show, taking up most of Into the Woods with very little regular dialogue. So why is Into the Woods a musical and not a play? With its dark themes, it’s easy to forget the story is a fairy tale as we are more familiar with the happy ending Disney versions of fairy tales. But those happy stories have depressing origins. Into the Woods is a musical because it’s a fairy tale, and the fairy tales we know and love are musicals. It’s matching the energy of the present, with the dark themes of the past. This is also shown through the characters singing. They sing Disney-like, with angelic voices even when the most horrific things have happened. With Sondheim's usage of repetition of melodies and chords throughout the songs, it shows that all of the characters are going through the same experiences as each other. As the show goes on, these same melodies and chords take on a darker tone, changing in tempo and fueled with different emotions. The show relies heavily on its music, as its music tells whats lurking underneath.
Mini Interviews With The Cast
Zoey Schorsch (She/Her/Hers)- Witch
What has been your favorite part of working on Into the Woods?
I missed being in a rehearsal room and working with people. My favorite part is just getting to do what I love with people I really care about.
What has it been like to work on such a hands-on show?
I have loved it. I feel like it is prepping me for after college really well.
Who is your favorite character in the show and why?
If I wasn't to chose the witch, who is my favorite character, I would chose the stepsisters or Jack. I love the song giants in the sky and think Jack has really funny lines. And I think the stepsisters would be so much fun to play.
Anania Williams (He/They)- Narrator/Mysterious Man
Who is your favorite character in the show and why?
I love the Baker's Wife! She, in my eyes, let's everyone see the world that we're trying to create on the stage. How she wrestles with love, desire, temptation, perseverance, and ultimately kindness to all.
Zehava Younger (She/Her/Hers)- Sleeping Beauty/Ensemble; Swing: Cinderella/Jack's Mother
What has been your favorite part of working on Into the Woods?
Working on a project of this scale is wonderful. Having everyone (cast, creative team, designers, producers, management) in the room together for the very first rehearsal was fantastic to see the size of the group working together to bring this huge show to life.
What has it been like to work on such a hands-on show?
It's been a really beneficial exercise in time management and organization for me, learning a track of my own as well as covering two more.
Who is your favorite character in the show and why?
The princes are my favorite. They walk a line between caricature and reality and communicate the pompous, self center personality in a way that is both comical and familiar.
What does it mean to do an American version of classically European stories?
I think the root of fairytales in general is the presence of some sort of lesson to be learned. Adapting a traditionally European story for American culture allows for the people receiving the story will get a more personal, relatable take-away.