Sondheim: “Woods” Film; “Merrily” To B’way?
Rob Marshall’s movie version of Sondheim/Lapine musical “Into the Woods” will film in London this fall. Meryl Streep will be the Witch, with Johnny Depp as Wolf or Baker. I have to say that I revere Mr. Depp (although I wish he’d stop with the “Pirates” sequels: how much $$$ does he need?), but I found his Sweeney Todd a big bummer: not dangerous, all pose. I have hope for “Woods,” however, because Marshall won’t encourage Johnny to get all faux-kooky, the way Tim Burton does. In other Sondheim news, the Menier Chocolate Factory production of “Merrily We Roll Along” has just moved to the West End in London. The Independent says it’s “one of the great musical productions of this or any other era.” My spies tell me there’s been serious talk of taking the production to Broadway. As I don’t want to die before I see “Merrily” get its due on the Great White Way, I hope these plans come to fruition.
