Of course, the definitive version of "Into the Woods" is the DVD version, Which stars the same cast as this CD and shows how much more amazing the cast got overtime. But They are already very good here. Certainly the performers in minor roles: such as Barbara Bryne as Jack's Mother and Joy Franz as Cinderella's Stepmother do not have enough to do here to impress, and even Danielle Ferland as Little Red Riding Hood is wonderful but not as scene-stealing as on the DVD.
The central trio of Bernadette Peters (Witch), Chip Zien (Baker) and Tony-winning Joanna Gleason (Baker's Wife) is highly theatrical on this recording, Certainly each of Their performances Would Be Considered ideal if theywere not, again, eclipsed by Themselves on the DVD.
The score might not be totally as great as Sweeney Tood and Gypsy and two or three other shows, but it's up there among Certainly the almost best. The prologue, "Hello, Little Girl", "I Know Things Now", "Lament", "Children Will Listen" - all are smart numbers. Among the highlights are the two comedic version of "Agony", the first in the Two Princes' pursuit of, respectively, Cinderella and Rapunzel, the second showing Their ennui With Their Marriages and Their newly planned conquests of, respectively, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. In it, we learn that "Dwarfs are very upsetting." On the other side of the spectrum is "Your Fault / Last Midnight", where most of the characters who survive the catastrophe did dominates the second act negotiate Their guilt until the witch takes a stand against reason, morality, passivity and forgiveness and demands sacrifices , It is chilling.
The DVD is the thing to buy - but this CD is not expensive, so there is not much reason not to add it to your colletion, too.
