CAREFUL THE FILMS YOU MAKE, CHILDREN WILL WATCH THEM: Into the Woods is arguably the most accessible Sondheim musical, and given its fairy-tale roots, I'm actually surprised that it hasn't made its way to the big screen yet, but Disney is
apparently putting it back on the fast track, this time in a Rob Marshall-directed version which will allegedly get new Sondheim songs. I'm wondering if they've finally got a concept that works--the show uses a narrator who inserts himself into the action, which is tricky to do in a film, and I assume we can expect a star-studded cast. (Obligatory suggestion--NPH and Anne Hathaway as Baker and Baker's Wife.)
Chris Colfer as Jack.
ReplyDeleteIdina Menzel as The Witch
John Barrowman as one of the Princes Charming.
This is my absolute favorite musical.
ReplyDeleteColfer is a great call for Jack. I'd actually have Hathaway as Cinderella but NPH is great for the Baker. Chenoweth for the Witch, maybe -- or the Baker's Wife?
"Agony" is one of my favorite numbers -- we need guys who can act hilariously pompous for the Princes. Hugh Jackman maybe?
Here's where Swift should have gone -- maybe Rapunzel or Little Red?
ReplyDeleteI would enjoy Hugh Jackman as the Wolf.
I likewise very nearly suggested Colfer as Jack. You can also fill a few other parts with Glee folks--Red Riding Hood is a decent fit for Lea Michele and plays to her snittiness, for instance.
ReplyDeleteAs much fun as Jackman would be hamming it up through Agony, he's too big of a star to do that. John Barrowman would be perfect, though.
The Witch is clearly going to be a big star name (there are rumors of a Shakespeare in the Park production in NYC this summer, potentially with someone like a Streep, but I don't want to hear her maul the score).
Audra McDonald as the witch. Taylor Swift for Cinderella (though she probably can't sing the part.) Zooey Deschanel for the Baker's Wife. I would go see this in a heartbeat. Now if only they'd only make Sunday in the Park with George!
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I love most of these casting ideas - hadn't thought of it, but Colfer would be terrific as Jack, and Audra (preferably) or Idina Menzel as the witch would be excellent.
ReplyDeleteI'm worried by some of the previously considered casting choices mentioned in this Playbill article: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/158459-Rob-Marshall-Attached-to-Bring-Into-the-Woods-to-the-Screen#.Tw2VVzSvvl4.facebook
They had a reading with Cher as the Witch, Robin Williams as the Baker, and Goldie Hawn as the Baker's Wife? Oy. Though the previous reading with Christine Lahti and NPH is more to my taste. Also, I cannot comprehend the idea of a Henson creatures version. I am trying - I trust Henson - but it does not compute.
Isn't Audra too young to be the witch?
ReplyDeleteShe's older than Bernadette Peters was when she originated the role -- Bernadette was 39, Audra will be 42 this year. Plus, the witch goes from being old and ugly through most of Act One, to being young and beautiful for the rest of the play. I think Audra would kill it.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry -- ROBIN WILLIAMS??? Are they insane? Goldie Hawn? We're supposed to believe that the Baker's Wife can't have children because she's been cursed, not because she's been through menopause. Wow.
ReplyDeleteCher's too old to pull off the 2nd act, young and beautiful witch. Plus she doesn't have the voice for it. NPH would be great as the Baker, I love the suggestion Gretchen made of Audra McDonald as the Witch. Chris Colfer as Jack would be great, and (if she can sing) Hailee Steinfeld would be a great Little Red. What about someone like Jason Segel as the Prince? He's got a good enough voice, and I think he could do a great job with the pompous/overwrought elements of that character.
I also just saw Audra in Porgy and Bess, where she is so extraordinary that I think she could do anything. I'm on an Audra-high.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love the Jason Segel idea.
ReplyDeleteI think the Cher/Robin Williams suggestions are from many years ago. Those aren't current.
John Barrowman is the perfect Cinderella's Prince! But are they going to double the Prince/Wolf like they did in the show?
ReplyDeleteAnd I would prefer NPH as the Mysterious Man.
My guess would be that the wolf is CGI/makeup/creature shop with a voice that might be one of the Princes.
ReplyDeleteAnd NPH as Mysterious Man/Narrator doesn't work unless you cast all the other parts ridiculously young because the plot point with who he's revealed to be. I've always thought the right framing device is something along the lines of Princess Bride, with a parent reading the book to a child.
I love, love, LOVE this musical. I'd put it in my top three favorite musicals. Lots of great casting suggestions above so I'll add: Mary Testa as Jack's mother?
ReplyDeletePlease don't let them ruin it.
<span>Oh good point Matt. I was just thinking how fun he would be as the Narrator. </span>
ReplyDelete<span> </span>
<span>And I have no idea if she can sing or who they should pair her with, but I would love to see Casey Wilson as one of the evil stepsisters. She would be hysterical. </span>
And then Megan Mullaly could be the Evil Stepmother!
Yes, sorry, I should've said those were from a reading a long time ago. I just thought they were bad ideas even then.
ReplyDeleteOscar- and Tony-nominee Anna Kendrick for Cinderella!
Can we get Joanna Gleason (the original Baker's Wife) in there as Jack's mother?
And I greatly love the idea of Jason Segel as Rapunzel's Prince and Barrowman as Cinderella's Prince / Wolf. Though Jackman as Wolf would also work, if they wanted to split that part.
The girl playing Rue in Hunger Games can sing -- if she's good in that, maybe get her in as Little Red.
OK, you've convinced me. (BTW, Audra is my favorite. Especially to see in concert. Dying to see Porgy & Bess.)
ReplyDeleteWell, let's see if this version actually gets greenlit before we get too excited...there've been movie versions of ITW in development for as long as I've worked out here.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I love all cast ideas above, especially Rue from Hunger Games as Little Red and Hugh Jackman as one of the princes (or as the Baker...NPH would also be a great prince...). He'd do it - he's not one of those guys who cares about size of role if the project is cool.
Dark horse idea: Zachary Levi (who I've seen sing live and is awesome) as one of the princes...
Barrowman as Cinderella's Prince is brilliant. He has the voice, plus I would love to hear him say "I was raised to be charming not sincere."
ReplyDeleteIf Audra doesn't play the Witch, maybe Sara Ramirez?
I'm not sure if Nina Arianda can sing, but she would be a good Baker's Wife.
I'd like to see Joel Grey play the Narrator.
NO NO NO. Thumbs down. WTF?? Goldie Hawn? CHER?? A thousand times no.
ReplyDelete