Disney’s Into the Woods opened on Christmas Day and I have heard nothing but great things about it. I’ve always loved musicals and musical theater – and actually did some theater in high school – so I’m really looking forward to this adaptation. Unfortunately I’ve been under the weather for the last few days so we haven’t made it over yet but hope to next week.
In the meantime I’ve been enjoying listening to the phenomenal Into the Woods soundtrack. Did you know that the music for the film was pre-recorded over a two-week period at Angel Studios in London with a 56-piece orchestra, composed of some of the best musicians from the London Symphony Orchestra and London Philharmonic?
Into the Woods Fun Facts
I love good movie trivia like that little nugget. If you do, too, then read on for some Into the Woods fun facts.
- There were four cows cast to play Milky-White. Their names were Tug, Diamond, Two Fold and Pearl.
- Rapunzel’s hair in the film is 20 feet long. The braid is made from real hair and weighs almost six pounds.
- Production on “Into the Woods” began in September, 2013 at Shepperton Studios and on locations throughout England.
- Stephen Sondheim has received eight Tony® Awards, more than any other composer in history. He has won seven times: Best Music and Best Lyrics for “Company” (1971); and Best Score for “Follies” (1972), “A Little Night Music” (1973), “Sweeney Todd” (1979), “Into the Woods” (1988) and “Passion” (1994). His eighth honor was a 2008 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre.
- The foundation of the Woods set, built on Stage H at Shepperton Studios, was made up of 2,000 tons of soil, over 600 ferns, acres and acres of ivy and countless pallets of moss and turf.
- 95 percent of the trees used on the Woods set were real trees, which included 30-foot pine trees and hundreds of 25-foot oak tree branches, the leaves of which had to be removed and replaced with artificial ones (so they would last longer). The remaining five percent were full-sized whimsical trees constructed from plaster.
Pretty cool, huh? I cannot even imagine 30-foot pine trees on a stage lot! It would be something to see, for sure.
Have you seen Into the Woods yet? What did you think?
About Liza
Liza is a mom (5-year-old daughter, 20-year-old stepson, and 24-year-old stepdaughter) and wife living in Louisville. She loves spending time with her family, visiting the local zoo and parks, as well as planning travel adventures. Cooking and baking, DIY projects and crafts, and coffee - lots and lots of coffee - round out some of her other hobbies.