Into the Woods

By Stephen Sondheim, James Lapine and Hudson Talbott

Finally Back in Print in Over a Decade, the Lavishly Illustrated Book of Into the Woods, One of the Most-Performed Musicals, by Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine

Based on the Grimm Brothers’ most popular folktales, Into the Woods is a reimagining of what can happen when beloved fairytale characters are thrown together in increasingly dramatic and humorous ways. The Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning team of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine bring their cherished musical off the stage and onto the page with the help of Hudson Talbott’s enchanting illustrations.

Published for Stephen Sondheim’s ninetieth birthday, join Cinderella, Jack (of beanstalk-climbing fame), Little Red Riding Hood, the Baker and his Wife, and more on their quest to find “happily ever after.” Along the way they meet Rapunzel, the Big Bad Wolf, terrifying giants, lusty princes, and their own destinies. But after their journeys are done, the real question remains: what comes after “happily ever after” and will the prices paid for it be worth it in the end?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Skyhorse
• Release date: Apr 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781510754959

Book preview

PART I

ONCE UPON A TIME,

in a far-off kingdom, there lived . . .

a fair young maiden, a sad young lad,

and a childless baker with his wife.

The maiden, called Cinderella, wished more than anything, more than life, to go to the King’s festival.

The lad, named Jack, also had a wish. He wished, more than anything, more than life, more than riches, that his cow would give him some milk.

The Baker and the Baker’s Wife were wishing, too. They wished more than anything, more than life, more than riches, more than the moon, that they had a child.

Cinderella’s mother had died, and her father had taken for his new wife a woman with two daughters of her own. All three were beautiful of face but vile and black of heart. And, jealous of Cinderella’s good qualities, they cruelly thrust upon her the dirtiest tasks around the house.

"You wish to go to the festival?" the Stepmother asked mockingly.

Look at your nails! chuckled Lucinda, one of Cinderella’s stepsisters.

Look at your dress! giggled Florinda, the other.

You wish to go to the festival and dance before the Prince?! they all exclaimed, and fell down laughing out of control.

Jack, on the other hand, had no father. And his mother was concerned about her son and his devotion to his cow, Milky-White.

"You foolish child! What in Heaven’s name are you doing with the cow inside the house?" she demanded.

A warm environment might be just what Milky-White needs to produce his milk, replied Jack.

"It’s a she! How many times must I tell you? Only shes can give milk! Besides, she’s been dry for a week straight. We’ve no food or money and no choice but to sell her while she can still command a price."

But Milky-White is my best friend in the whole world, Jack pleaded.

Look at her! There are bugs on her dugs. There are flies in her eyes. There’s a lump on her rump big enough to be a hump. We’ve no time to sit and dither while her withers wither with her. And no one keeps a cow for a friend!

That same afternoon, as the Baker and his wife were preparing the next day’s bread, a little girl with a big appetite and a lovely red cape called. She wished to bring a loaf of bread to her poor old Grandmother, who lived in the woods. As the Baker wrapped a loaf, the child eyed the fresh pastries. With the bread tucked into her basket, Little Bed Ridinghood started off for the woods, also managing to take three small pies, two sticky buns, two cream puffs, and a layer cake with her.

Into the woods, it’s time to go. I hate to leave. I have to, though. Into the woods to Grandmother’s house, I must begin the journey.

You’re certain of your way? asked the Baker’s Wife.

Into the woods and down the dell. The path is straight, I know it well. Into the woods to bring some bread to Granny, who is sick in bed. Never can tell what lies ahead. For all that I know, she’s already dead. But into the woods, then out of the woods, and home before dark!

Meanwhile, the Stepmother was playing a cruel joke on Cinderella.

I have emptied a pot of lentils into the ashes, she told the girl. If you have picked them out again in two hours’ time, you shall go to the festival with us.

But the Stepmother was unaware that Cinderella had friends in high places. No sooner had the cruel woman left than Cinderella sang out:

"Birds in the sky,

Birds in the eaves,

In the leaves,

In the fields,

In the castles and ponds.

Quick, little birds,

Flick through the ashes.

Pick and peck and sift,

But swiftly.

Put the lentils into my pot"

As she sang, flocks of birds fluttered down into the ashes and busily set to work sorting out the lentils and dropping them into the pot. The task completed, Cinderella thanked them, bade them farewell, and awaited the Stepmother’s return.

Because the Baker had lost his mother and father in a baking accident—or so he believed—he was eager to have a family of his own and was concerned that all efforts had failed. The reason for this misfortune was explained to him that afternoon when the creepy old Witch from next door paid them a visit.

What do you wish? the Baker asked.

"It’s not what I wish. It’s what you wish, the hag cackled as she pointed to his wife’s belly. Nothing cooking in there now, is there?"

The ancient enchantress went on to tell the couple that she had placed a spell on their

Reviews for Into the Woods

[E. A. Daang · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A charming storybook adaptation written faithfully to the famous stage drama by Sondheim and Lapine. (This ebook version contains typos, however, which was a bit distracting.) Fans of the original 1987 Broadway cast will find little resemblance in the all-new illustrations of the characters in this edition, which are interesting in their own right. As to the prose, stylistically it's a bit haphazard, trying to fit the original script verbatim with descriptive narrative, but Talbott did try, and it was a good try and enjoyable for what it's worth, condensing a two-hour-long play into a "children's story for adults" easily read in one sitting.

[shortybond · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fun play that you just have to love! Great modern day twist on the classic fairy tales. Hilarious, and heart warming.

[hagelstein_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Into the Woods is an intelligent and downright funny bit of musical theatre. It brings characters from classic fairy-tales (Cinderella, Jack (and the Beanstalk), Little Red Riding Hood, and others) together, all of whom are wishing for something. The book is entertaining by itself and serves to emphasize the wit of the lyrics and dialogue. A wonderful story

[caseybp · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a beautiful book lovingly adapted.