Into The Woods (1990)

The story of five fairy tale characters that go beyond the happy ending we've been told about: Cinderella (Kim Crosby), Little Red Riding Hood (Danielle Ferland), Jack (Ben Wright) who climbed the beanstalk and a baker (Chip Zien) and his wife (Joanna Gleason). A televised adaptation of the original Broadway show (which was made into a film in 2014) with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and directed by James Lapine. The film version directed by Rob Marshall is excellent but it's great to have this archival production of the original Broadway production. The play contains characters (like the narrator and Cinderella's father) that were eliminated from the film version as well as some songs (like No More and Ever After) that were cut. The musical explores the complicated relationship (or the absence of it) between parents and children. Despite her actions, the play's witch (Bernadette Peters) isn't evil but a pragmatic who sees life realistically. Sondheim's songs are sublime! With Robert Westenberg, Tom Aldredge, Barbara Bryne and Chuck Wagner.