Musical Today
Cut-paper illustration: a dark forest of tall trunks, a small red-hooded figure on a winding red path and a single golden slipper.

Into the Woods

What Into the Woods actually is

A baker and his wife, cursed by the witch next door to stay childless, go into the woods to collect four objects that will lift the spell — and run into Cinderella, Jack and his beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel, all on errands of their own.

Stephen Sondheim wrote the music and lyrics and James Lapine the book; it opened on Broadway in 1987. “Children Will Listen” and “No One Is Alone” come from it.

Jordan Fein directs. Tom Scutt, who also designs Jesus Christ Superstar at Drury Lane, designed it and won the Critics' Circle award for Best Designer; the company won Best Ensemble. Kate Fleetwood plays the Witch.