Disney’s film version of the classic Broadway musical Into the Woods, starring Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, and Chris Pine, is about six months away. However, many fans were upset recently when composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim opened up about some changes to the new movie. Now Sondheim has clarified some of his comments.
Recently, The New Yorker reported on a Master Class conversation between Stephen Sondheim and teachers, where they discussed some of the changes in new movie. The conversation started when one teacher pointed out the adult relationship between the Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood was too much for Disney. Sondheim agreed to the concerns adding:
"Well, you'll be happy to know that Disney had the same objections. You will find in the movie that Rapunzel does not get killed, and the prince does not sleep with the [Baker's Wife]. You know, if I were a Disney executive I probably would say the same thing."
He also added that the song following Prince’s affair, “Any Moment,” had been cut from the film:
The legendary composer went on to talk about the nature of compromise:
“Censorship is part of our puritanical ethics, and it's something that they're going to have to deal with. There has to be a point at which you don't compromise anymore, but that may mean that you won't get anyone to sell your painting or perform your musical. You have to deal with reality."
Needless to say these comments upset many fans of the beloved musical. Now Stephen Sondheim has come forward to clarify some the comments, releasing a statement:
“An article in The New Yorker misreporting my ‘Master Class’ conversation about censorship in our schools with seventeen teachers from the Academy for Teachers a couple of weeks ago has created some false impressions about my collaboration with the Disney Studio on the film version of ‘Into the Woods.’ The fact is that James (Lapine, who wrote both the show and the movie) and I worked out every change from stage to screen with the producers and with Rob Marshall, the director. Despite what the New Yorker article may convey, the collaboration was genuinely collaborative and always productive.
“When the conversation with the teachers occurred, I had not yet seen a full rough cut of the movie. Coincidentally, I saw it immediately after leaving the meeting and, having now seen it a couple of times, I can happily report that it is not only a faithful adaptation of the show, it is a first-rate movie.
“And for those who care, as the teachers did, the Prince's dalliance is still in the movie, and so is ‘Any Moment.’”
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