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Into the Woods
2002 Broadway Cast
Starring Vanessa Williams, Kerri O'Malley, John McMartin, Stephen DeRosa
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
20 Tracks
Read an off-site Synopsis of the show on Musicals.Net.
There is no way to write a review of this CD without comparing it to the phenominal Original Broadway Cast; however, I have tried to judge it both comparatively and as a CD in its own right as well. Luckily, it's a wonderful CD and stands on its own quite easily. The cast is bursting with incredibly strong performances.
Strangely enough I didn't think so the first time I listened to it - all I could hear were the differences. According to some online friends who've actually seen the production, it is toned down a little bit and is more intimate, but on the CD the only result of it is that it sounds a bit passive compared to the OBC I am used to. However once I thought of it as being more intimate it suddenly clicked...
Also it took several listens for me to appreciate the strengths of the performers - again, all I could think was "it isn't Bernadette Peters" or "it isn't Joanna Gleason." However once I got over myself I really started to enjoy it!
There are a few changes to the show itself for the revival - many of which I was rather annoyed with, in a sort of "Why mess with perfection" way. Obviously I'm not the best judge, having not seen the actual show, but from what I hear on the CD and from what people have described, the addition of the second wolf and the Three Little Pigs at the end of "Hello Little Girl" seems very random. Although a friend of mine who saw it (hello you know who you are if you read this, lol) made me reconsider when he explained it as the 2 wolves connecting momentarily, then running off in pursuit of their goals (lunch) - just as the 2 princes do later in "Agony." So I guess it makes more sense that way. So let's leave it as one of those "it makes sense when you see it" things.
The other change I didn't like was the addition of Little Red and Jack to the end of "On the Steps of the Palace." First of all, that's Cinderella's song - let her sing it for pete's sake! And really, we GET it already - everyone is learning in the woods. So the change only serves as a way to smack the audience upside the head with the theme. Which tends to annoy said audience, since most of them aren't so thickheaded that they need that.
However to be fair, there are changes I like too - there are rewritten lyrics in there that are good. The "new" song "Our Little World" - which is on the London CD that I've heard but don't remember at all - is great. The new lyrics to "Last Midnight" are excellent - although they only made sense after my friend told me that the Witch is singing to the Baker's baby. Then it all clicked. :)
Anyway. Moving on.
Vanessa Williams had impossibly big shoes to fill, and she does pretty darn well IMHO. Nobody could replace Peters, but Wiliams has her own moments where she shines. At first I didn't like her rap at the beginning at all, but now it has grown on me. Again, different but good. (If you can't tell already, this is going to be a recurring theme of this review.)
Kerri O'Malley is wonderful as the Baker's Wife. She sounds younger than Joanna Gleason. I'm not sure how old either actress is (or in Gleason's case, was) so this may partially be an actual function of age, but it's also an approach to the role - she has more of a playful air about her. I grew to like Gleason's character only after seeing the video of the show. In the OBC, it was very clear that the Baker's Wife's justifications (i.e., "Maybe They're Magic") were wrong. But on this CD I have to struggle not to be convinced that they have in fact done Jack a favor by giving him beans! (Well they have, but not from their point of view because they don't think the beans are really magic... if I've confused you just nod and move on!) I'm starting to think I would have liked O'Malley's version of her even if my only exposure to the character was the CD.
As the Baker, Stephen DeRosa has a slight edge over Chip Zien of the OBC in that his singing voice is a little bit better. His interpretation of the character is noticeably different - partially due to a few changes in the show, and I think partially just a personal thing. In any case, he was an excellent casting choice and brings exactly the right emotional touches to the role.
Laura Benanti is absolutely fantastic as Cinderella. She has a gorgeous voice and I'm still irked that she doesn't get to finish off "On the Steps of the Palace" properly. I suppose I'll have to get over it. ;) Her voice really stands out in "No One is Alone." I could listen to that song all day, it's too beautiful for words.
The two Princes are quite up to par. Gregg Edelman's (Cinderella's Prince/Wolf) "Hello Little Girl" has a savage quality to it that Robert Westenberg never had - I like it. "Agony" is good, as both Edelman and Christopher Sieber (Rapunzel's Prince/2nd Wolf) have great voices. I still prefer the OBC version of the song but this one is a close second. Edelman's "Any Moment" is acted perfectly.
Adam Wylie makes a great Jack. His take on the role is different from the OBC's Ben Wright, but just as good, and his voice perfectly fits the character. He acts well too, particularly in the opening scene and in "Your Fault." His "Giants in the Sky" is wonderful - very expressive.
Molly Ephraim is a good Little Red. This is one instance where I have a definite preference for the original - there's something about Danielle Ferland that just really clicked with me - but Ephraim is still up there. "I Know Things Now" in particular is well done.
John McMartin does a good job as the Narrator/Mysterious Man. He has a nice speaking voice - the essential quality of a Narrator, of course - and his singing is at least acceptable. He does not sing beautifully, but he is better than Tod Aldredge on the OBC in that regard.
There's only one performer I absolutely cannot stand on this CD - Marylouise Burke as Jack's Mother. She can't sing AT ALL - it's beyond "bad voice." What on earth were they thinking? The role seems as if it should be very easy to cast - there are almost NO expectations to fulfill with regards to voice. It's fine for her to be shrill, squeaky, and/or nasal, but she does have to SING, for pete's sake! Burke's voice is flat, toneless, unmusical, grating, and actually painful to listen to. Sorry, but it's true.
Last but not least, Melissa Dye makes a lovely Rapunzel in the little we get to hear of her.
Reading over this review I realize it is mostly a comparison to the OBC. It's inevitable. But let me reiterate: this is a WONDERFUL CD.
Now of course, the question: should you buy it? And really, you're the only one who can answer it. The CD is not greatly different from the OBC, and it isn't better, so if owning 2 Into the Woods CDs is something you'd rather avoid, go for the OBC. But if money is not really an issue for you, or you find the CD on wicked sale, or you're crazy about the show, or you saw the revival, or any of a hundred reasons I can think of that you might want the CD...
The bottom line is the Revival cast is far from a waste of money, but the OBC is better. Make your own choices. :)
