Sondheim at the Movies

You know your a musical theater kid when...

• You listen to the soundtrack on repeat until you have memorized every word (annoying everyone you live with)
• You have the idea of skipping important family time to go see a midnight showing of the new movie musical
• You could not wait 10 days to get the new movie musical soundtrack. You had to pre-order it ahead of time to make sure you could listen the moment it came out
• You know exactly what is going to happen in the movie because you have read every interview and watched every clip you can find

Anyone else doing this? Or am I just crazy...

If you haven't heard, "Into the Woods" will arrive at movie theaters near you on December 25th. One of the most beloved musicals of all time from the best song writer alive, Stephen Sondheim, has been made into a movie. Every high school, college, university, and community theater group has done this show at least once. And everyone knows the words. Finally, it is coming to the silver screen.

And you couldn't ask for a better cast: Meryl Streep as the Witch, James Cordon as the Baker, Emily Blunt as the Baker's Wife, Anna Kendrick as Cinderella, Chris Pine as Cinderella's Prince, Lilla Crawford as Little Red Riding Hood, Johnny Depp(also in "Sweeny Tood", another Sondheim show) as the Wolf, Daniel Huttlestone as Jack, Tracy Ullman as Jack's Mother... I could go on and on, but that's a lot already. You get the picture.

Then we are blessed with a director who has made 2 of the best movie musicals ever ("Chicago" and Kathy Bates' "Annie")--- Rob Marshall. And then Rob goes and asks the masters to come help with the whole project-- James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim himself. This is the perfect combination for a perfectly wrapped Christmas present to everyone who needs to erase Russell Crowe destroying "Stars" from your memory.

No, I haven't seen it yet. But if the soundtrack gets me this excited, I can only imagine sugar plums on Christmas Eve.

To calm by sweaty palms and racing heart until the day after Christmas when I will be dragging someone to go see this movie musical with me, I have decided to take a look at Sondheim's other creations that were also turned into movies. The infectious melodies on Sondheim and sincere story lines will hold you until Christmas.

"Company" (2011)
I went to go see this show when I was at a high school theater festival and had never heard of Sondheim or of this show. I needed to fill a few hours before I went to dinner, and it was the best decision I made. I fell in love with Sondheim's lyrics and catchy tunes without even realizing it. Neil

Patrick Harris stars as Robert, the single guy whose friends are all married, and they continually try to push him into relationships. This version is actually a recorded concert of the show then a full production. But because the show, like many Sondheim pieces, is focused on the music and story, you don't need any fireworks.

P.S. Stephen Colbert is in it!! And sings!! (and so many others you know and love)

"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" (1966)
Mel Brooks must have taken notes from this movie musical. It's a story set in ancient Rome where a slave wants to be set free, and his key to freedom is by setting up his master's son with a courtesan next door. Starring Zero Mostel, a comedy legend, known for his roles on stage and screen including "Fiddler on the Roof" and "The Producers".

"A Little Night Music" (1977)
Simply put, this story is about affairs. It features a fair performance by Elizabeth Taylor who really should not sing, but she's Elizabeth Taylor. We let her sing. The song is still pretty.

"Sweeney Todd" (2007)
Before "Into the Woods", Johnny Depp was the demon barber of Fleet Street, a man who longs for revenge and blood. He uses the same tone and vocal expression in this movie that he does on the soundtrack of "Into the Woods." It was so hard for me to pick just one song to show you, but I chose "Epiphany" because it really gets at Todd's madness and darkness.

"Sunday in the Park with George" (1986)
This is such an interesting concept for a musical -- a look behind what it takes to make a masterpiece. "Sunday in the Park" is all about George Seurat's story behind his painting of "Sunday in the Park". Mandy Patinkin stars as George and Bernadette Peters shows up! Truthfully, this is also a cheat. It's a recording of the stage performance. But it's still good.

BONUS: If you can't wait to see the movie, watch the recorded stage version with Bernadette Peters as the Witch. You can watch the whole thing online.