The Musical Moral of Into The Woods

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  • čas přidán 29. 04. 2021
  • No One Is Alone
    Twitter: / sideways440​
    Twitch: / sideways440​
    Patreon: / sideways440
    Sources:
    "Into the Woods from Stage to Screen" by Mark Eden Horowitz, in The Oxford Handbook of Musical Theatre Screen Adaptations
    "Sondheim on Music" by Mark Eden Horowitz has a whole chapter on Into the Woods including a list of all of the leitmotifs that Sondheim used in the show
    "Understanding the Leitmotif" by Matthew Bribitzer-Stull
    I can't recommend this book enough, I find myself combing through it over and over again
    Snugboy's video on adapting Into the Woods:
    • Disney's Into The Wood...
    Sondheim (and Lapine)'s MTI Conversation Piece where they both discuss the show:
    • Into the Woods - MTI C...
    Sondheim discussing how he wrote Sweeney Todd:
    • Stephen Sondheim on “S...
    Also, if you've got time, I'd highly recommend checking out Musical Hell's video on the 2014 remake as well:
    • Annie and Into the Woo...
  • Hudba

Komentáře • 4,6K

  • @eh-bc4dx
    @eh-bc4dx Před 3 lety +6135

    theres this one part on stage where the baker just.. picks the cow up, like a suitcase.. and runs away with it and i will be forever bitter that they couldnt do that in the movie

    • @QuikVidGuy
      @QuikVidGuy Před 3 lety +469

      imagine if they did a slightly off cg cow and he just
      squishes it down to be small enough to carry

    • @tortis6342
      @tortis6342 Před 3 lety +175

      why it should be an animated movie

    • @Kevbotoconnell
      @Kevbotoconnell Před 3 lety +387

      @@tortis6342 Or just not a movie at all. This musical is inherently theatrical. So much of the humor comes from the fact that it's a stage show. I just don't think it's possible to have the same type of humor in a movie.

    • @trickytreyperfected1482
      @trickytreyperfected1482 Před 3 lety +112

      @@Kevbotoconnell Though I did enjoy the movie, I will agree that it is inherently theatrical and adapting it to be a movie is... a strange choice.

    • @eoincampbell1584
      @eoincampbell1584 Před 3 lety +75

      @@Kevbotoconnell While that makes adapting it directly a terrible choice yes, I think a film adaption that took more liberties in changing the jokes and what appears visually (the fact you never see the giants' castle or faces makes sense on stage but feels so weird in the movie) could work it would just be very different to the stage version.

  • @corhydrae3238
    @corhydrae3238 Před 3 lety +3633

    The moral of the story is of course: Musical producers should finally get the clue that they should just start putting up professional recordings of their shows on streaming platforms rather than having them made into half-baked movies.

    • @stargirl2477
      @stargirl2477 Před 3 lety +166

      Yes, they should. Broadway is real expensive and not a lot of people can afford to see the show. I will say that the film's of these musicals have introduced a whole new generation to these musicals, or you have people in your family who are very musical oriented and will teach you the whole musical and what it is about. (At least, that was my case.) I know that some people will sneak cameras into the shows and record it that way, but there are problems with that. 1) Not every actor will be fine with being filmed, 2) A bootleg takes away some elements of the show and the camera cannot focus on what is happening, 3) Actors will act differently if they know they are being filmed, 4) Sometimes these shows will run for multiple times a week, and if you were to film the show to hand out to the public, you would need to either record each show and pick the best one to hand over or just record one show and hand that in, regardless if it is good or bad.Even if you record the show without the actor's permission, they will know they are being filmed. It might be good to help broaden the show so others could see it, but it would be very hard to in some situations.

    • @crstph
      @crstph Před 3 lety +78

      i watched it on vhs (im only 22 lol) over and over as a kid, and i would never have loved it if we didnt have that access to it. same with my legally blonde recording when they aired it on mtv-that was one of the most empowering, impactful shows on my life and thats only bc my mom thought to record it. i bought tickets to the broadway tour bc of that recording!! making musicals more accessible will cause MORE attendance not less. mama mia

    • @Mnnvint
      @Mnnvint Před 3 lety +5

      I think it's often questions of rights which put a stop to that.

    • @IreneWY
      @IreneWY Před 3 lety +9

      absolutely. I watched the 25th jubilee of phantom in the local cinema. It was great :) they should stream more. Maybe pandemic will change it

    • @tntree
      @tntree Před 3 lety +44

      I totally agree. Instead of making a movie for Hamilton they just recorded the performances on stage and put that on Disney Plus. This way it keeps all the original qualities without losing a ton through making a film. Look how well hamilfilm got received. Way better than any of these remakes.

  • @xkabuto
    @xkabuto Před 2 lety +6582

    To those wondering what happened: He started working on a big project for the channel (a maybe 4 hours long video on high school musical) wich would take a few months to do.
    The project apparently went downhill by the end of 2021, making him take a pause to plan and do other videos.
    In the meantime, people started harassing him on Twitter, Wich gradually escalated until he had to quit social media, his Patreon and his channel and take time to heal.
    As far as I have researched, he has no plans to come back yet and, sadly, we might never hear from him again.
    (sources: his Patreon and the sideways community subReddit)

    • @LikaLaruku
      @LikaLaruku Před 2 lety +285

      Kinda the same thing that happened to Red Bard.

    • @samuellrodd1214
      @samuellrodd1214 Před 2 lety +7

      Great so we lost both Lindsey Ellis and Sideways because of dickheads on Twitter. All the best video essayists are leaving and it's making me sad. We really can't have nice things

    • @craftgrrl14
      @craftgrrl14 Před 2 lety +1051

      Aw that's awful! I wish people would stop using social media to tear people down all the time. Twitter is a hell site. No one deserves to be harassed like that. It keeps causing wonderful creators to quit and hide away. I love getting educated about music in film by Sideways. I don't think I'll be able to find another channel who does it as well as he does.
      If he doesn't come back I'll understand and wish him well. If he does come back I will be overjoyed and watch every new video multiple times.

    • @eleazarloyo8473
      @eleazarloyo8473 Před 2 lety +632

      And this is why we can’t have nice things. Hope he is alright. :(

    • @hallow-oda
      @hallow-oda Před 2 lety +157

      i havent seen any evidence of harassment? in his last patreon message, he just said that people started painting him as "the guy who takes down movies" and he hated that

  • @brockdavis2046
    @brockdavis2046 Před 2 lety +1922

    “You can talk to birds?” is one of THE best-delivered lines in Broadway history. Change my mind.

    • @maxtherealone5491
      @maxtherealone5491 Před rokem +18

      I was thinking the same thing.

    • @JhadeSagrav
      @JhadeSagrav Před rokem +72

      Runner up:
      "I was just trying to be a good mother!"

    • @yourlocaldemon2195
      @yourlocaldemon2195 Před rokem +23

      And all of Bernadette’s lines

    • @Anime_theatre_lover
      @Anime_theatre_lover Před rokem +12

      AGREED! I’m doing into the woods junior at my theatre (I play the wolf) and my friend who plays Little red riding hood said almost this exact same thing

    • @kayleighbaker7802
      @kayleighbaker7802 Před rokem +45

      2nd runner up:
      Jack's Mother: You be careful with your children.
      Baker's Wife: I have no children.
      Jack's Mother: **gasp** That's okay too. 😂

  • @elisabethschmerzler963
    @elisabethschmerzler963 Před 3 lety +3460

    *Into The Woods:* WHEN WILL YOU LEARN! WHEN WILL YOU LEARN THAT YOUR ACTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES!!!!!!

  • @gnomepng
    @gnomepng Před 3 lety +1553

    "this IS a good musical" finally... a smart person with TASTE

    • @alexandravelardes7692
      @alexandravelardes7692 Před 3 lety +28

      Its my favorite musical!!

    • @technopoptart
      @technopoptart Před 3 lety +41

      and he chose the best and most literally ONLY version of it too

    • @houston-coley
      @houston-coley Před 3 lety +11

      I'm so relieved there are others with REAL TASTE

    • @Ayden_B
      @Ayden_B Před 3 lety +18

      do people not like into the woods? Like me personally its not my favorite sondheim show but I always just assumed most people thought it was a good show

    • @PrincessSybilla77
      @PrincessSybilla77 Před 3 lety +2

      My favorite

  • @kayleighlehrman9566
    @kayleighlehrman9566 Před 2 lety +1956

    Sacrificing the Narrator to the Giantess is, and will always be, the greatest piece of meta storytelling of all time

    • @JhadeSagrav
      @JhadeSagrav Před rokem +87

      Holy heck, right?!?!?!?
      "There must always be someone to tell the story. Think of your child!"
      UGGHHHH!!! Beautiful!

    • @emmawilliams8119
      @emmawilliams8119 Před 9 měsíci +30

      Idk bro, King Arthur and his knights getting arrested for the murder or the narrator (who was killed by an knight on an ACTUAL horse) from Monty Python and the Holy Grail is pretty fantastic imo

    • @SebastianSeanCrow
      @SebastianSeanCrow Před 5 měsíci +1

      Wasn’t the Narrator also one of the MCs dads? It was so wild I loved if

    • @NorthJackson
      @NorthJackson Před 5 měsíci +5

      @@emmawilliams8119 there are parts of into the woods that have huge monty python energy and im here for it

    • @thewhiterabbitchaser
      @thewhiterabbitchaser Před 2 měsíci

      the most valid comment ever @@emmawilliams8119

  • @Arctan95
    @Arctan95 Před 11 měsíci +132

    Local man makes his monthly pilgrimage to this channel to see if our king has returned, miss you bud.

  • @peterstamerra445
    @peterstamerra445 Před 3 lety +5551

    When I did this show, my director described this show in the most accurate way possible:
    In the first act, they get what they want
    In the second act, they get what they *deserve*

    • @JusteenWheatley
      @JusteenWheatley Před 3 lety +192

      Love that - that's amazing. Btw, out of curiosity, how did your stage show tackle the giant dying at the end?

    • @peterstamerra445
      @peterstamerra445 Před 3 lety +247

      @@JusteenWheatley It was really cool, actually! We had the a huge crash sound and Rapunzel’s tower collapsed. Suuuuuuper fun show

    • @severepain1938
      @severepain1938 Před 3 lety +37

      @@peterstamerra445 can I ask what/who was your role?

    • @mgailp
      @mgailp Před 3 lety +74

      @@JusteenWheatley In our production, we had a giant crash sound and threw a huge braid of hair onto the stage. Our production used the giant story book sets. (I think it was called a class C production).

    • @SarSaraneth
      @SarSaraneth Před 3 lety +14

      @@peterstamerra445 That's a very pithy description, but five seconds of thought is enough to see that it's a steaming pile of bullshit.

  • @nerdychocobo
    @nerdychocobo Před 3 lety +567

    Children won't listen progressing into children will listen makes me weirdly emotional

    • @ilurvsharrypotter
      @ilurvsharrypotter Před 3 lety +79

      oh, and the "children should listen" being children should listen to what I say, but they won't, but they will see what I do and listen to how I treat them and others. The paradox of parenthood trying to raise someone to be better than who you were/are

    • @crstph
      @crstph Před 3 lety +88

      its such a great moment, showing her growth; she’s realized (too late) that you cannot Make children do exactly what you tell them to, but that no matter what they WILL be influenced by and learn from the things you teach (intentionally or not).
      she taught her daughter to trust her without question, which led to rapunzel trusting the prince without question. rapunzel didn’t “listen”-but she *listened*

    • @Balletsimp
      @Balletsimp Před 3 lety

      @@crstph these replies are so very delicious

    • @Balletsimp
      @Balletsimp Před 3 lety

      @@ilurvsharrypotter ^

    • @Balletsimp
      @Balletsimp Před 3 lety

      i just wanted to remind everyone involved with this that it happened because MMMH its soo savory

  • @nottoday3561
    @nottoday3561 Před 11 měsíci +659

    The only CZcams Channel I regularly check to see if they have returned. Hope everything is okay with you. Thank you for getting me interested in music analysis.

    • @zah_old_acc
      @zah_old_acc Před 11 měsíci +22

      Same here. I recently found him and i really hope everything's okay.

    • @AnimeWolf5193
      @AnimeWolf5193 Před 9 měsíci +34

      There's a comment near the top. He was working a video, but things weren't going great and he took a pause around 2021. Meanwhile, he got harrassed to the point he got off social media.
      Which sucks cause this dudes essays are interesting.

    • @nottoday3561
      @nottoday3561 Před 9 měsíci

      I did see that, thats really unfortunate. People can be awful.@@AnimeWolf5193

    • @cherie..cherry
      @cherie..cherry Před 8 měsíci +11

      @@AnimeWolf5193that’s so awful. I hope there’s a day he comes back. Or finds joy in making videos again. Really miss his stuff

  • @scarlettefoxx5585
    @scarlettefoxx5585 Před 2 lety +1334

    Man i miss sideways. Might be one of my top 5 youtubers. He's so much fun. I hope he's alright

    • @june-iy2pd
      @june-iy2pd Před 2 lety +23

      my thoughts exactly :(

    • @joeyfromschool
      @joeyfromschool Před rokem +47

      the dude is still active on twitter he’s seemingly fine, just hasn’t made a video in a while

    • @sae_decay
      @sae_decay Před rokem +49

      @@joeyfromschool sadly he’s quit for the forseable future due to harassment

    • @linglingsapprentice7762
      @linglingsapprentice7762 Před 8 měsíci

      +1

  • @lunatickgeo
    @lunatickgeo Před 3 lety +1401

    Um, actually (takes off nerd glasses, puts on geek glasses), Rapunzel is the Baker's YOUNGER sister. Witch's line, "In the past, when you were no more than a babe, your father brought his young wife and you to this cottage." Because as we all know, THIS is the most important point in the whole video.

    • @Graycata
      @Graycata Před 3 lety +75

      I was gonna say something about that. But I want to scroll through and see if someone else already had.

    • @lunatickgeo
      @lunatickgeo Před 3 lety +85

      @@Graycata Restraint! It's a quality I admire in people. Mostly because I don't have lots of it myself.

    • @scfeng6883
      @scfeng6883 Před 3 lety +90

      And as the Witch had cursed the Baker's family when taking Rapunzel away, the Baker's Father would not have been able to father any more children since that moment. Which means that Rapunzel cannot be anyone's older sister.

    • @Kayjayoh
      @Kayjayoh Před 3 lety +1

      @@Graycata Same! :)

    • @lunatickgeo
      @lunatickgeo Před 3 lety +3

      @@scfeng6883 not gonna lie, that used to confuse the hell out of me because at first, I assumed the Baker was younger

  • @WillScarlet16
    @WillScarlet16 Před 3 lety +969

    A detail I love about "I Guess This is Goodbye" - Sondheim says it's the only song he's done with no rhymes, the idea being Jack is so dimwitted he can't rhyme.

    • @atticwindowful
      @atticwindowful Před 3 lety +37

      I didn't know that! Thanks for the tidbit :-)

    • @danielachamorro8783
      @danielachamorro8783 Před 3 lety +24

      Oh my god 🤣 I didn’t know that

    • @queerlyvictorian
      @queerlyvictorian Před 3 lety +104

      You can totally hear that in the OBC Jack’s delivery. It actually make me chuckle every time when he says “I hope that when I doooo / it won’t be on a PLATE.” He just emphasizes that there’s no rhyme there.

    • @Snugboy
      @Snugboy Před 3 lety +4

      WHAT?!?

    • @juliaparkerson3630
      @juliaparkerson3630 Před 3 lety

      omg i love that

  • @samlewis6487
    @samlewis6487 Před 11 měsíci +182

    I love the way that the Bean Theme is used during the three versions of "Children Must Listen." Specifically, the lyrics "Don't you know what's out there in the world. Someone has to shield you from the world." and how they reflect that the witch is being a hypocrite here. Sure, every character is flawed and they end up hurting each other, but the witch is no better. Who is she to think that she's any better than them? The bean theme is a representation of the beans as an object, but it's also a representation of the cycle of trauma and abuse. The witch's mother told her not to lose the beans, and punished her for them getting stolen even though it wasn't really her fault. But because if these beans, the witch gets a daughter who she equally abuses and traumatizes (as Rapunzel says, because of the witch she can never be happy). Because of the beans, the baker and his wife can't have a child. And then, in the struggle to get one, they lose themselves. The beans cause every death in the musical, they cause every child to lose their parent, from Jack to Red to the Baker, and it ripples down, causing the Baker's son to lose his mother. And because of this cycle, as the witch says, they all become liers and thieves, and if they keep going on like that the cycle won't break. The only way to change is to acknowledge the cycle and to move past it. They have to see that even the people they love can hurt them, and they have to work to fix those mistakes. Those mistakes were made out of love, but they're mistakes anyway. Everyone makes mistakes, but they have to do what they can to fix them. Even the characters who do the worst things, like the witch who exploits the Baker's desire for a child, kidnaps Rapunzel, and then blinds her and leaves her in the desert. All of these things are awful, almost irredeemable in any other story. And yet, Into the Woods somehow manages to build its moral of moving past abuse so well that it somehow stops us from hating her simply with "people make mistakes," which by all accounts should not excuse any of those actions. But yet, we see that every single thing she does is motivated by love. She truly loves Rapunzel. It manifests in ways that hurt her, though, and by the time she realizes this, it's too late for her to change. Her daughter is gone and dead, and everyone around her is making the exact same mistakes as she is. So then, back to the bean theme. In No One is Alone, the bean theme resolves and is reversed. This reflects that they're moving past the mistakes of the past, and they're trying to be better, which is all that they can do. They can try. They'll still make mistakes, even in solving these problems. Killing the giant is, in some capacity, a mistake in and of itself. She's a nice person (who's doing horrible things out of love for her husband, fancy how that works), but they unfortunately have to kill her. Because in life, and in the story, there's no perfect solution. They do what they have to, even if it's not the best option. All they can do is their best. (That's also the point of the final line of the last song, being "I wish" sung again, showing that they may make the same mistakes again). This whole musical is about ending this cycle, or at least trying. Oops. I may have written an essay. Um anyway. I really like this musical.

    • @juliane2595
      @juliane2595 Před 8 měsíci +4

      Woow this essay is amazing and it roy helped me to understand the moral of the story better! Thx!

    • @steviechords
      @steviechords Před 6 měsíci +3

      so, the show is about ending generational curses

  • @MyFireElf
    @MyFireElf Před 2 lety +1133

    Miss you, dude. Listening to all the Encanto analyses and thinking "you know who would have something fascinating to say about this?" Hope you're well.

    • @eret3
      @eret3 Před 2 lety +43

      he has been active on twitter, so i think he is doing well, but idk if we are getting a new video anytime soon.

    • @TheQuashingoftheTub
      @TheQuashingoftheTub Před rokem +11

      ​@@eret3I think he plans on stopping due to the harrassment he got about criticizing certain musicals. Might not be permanent, but Twitter and Discord kinda suck.

  • @mikebliss3153
    @mikebliss3153 Před 3 lety +1388

    "The cow as red as corn, the hair as yellow as milk."
    Wait what NO--

    • @bibliophilecb
      @bibliophilecb Před 3 lety +87

      I had to pause for a solid minute to cackle at that

    • @selectedshipper8282
      @selectedshipper8282 Před 3 lety +67

      15:27 if anyone wants a time stamp
      One word: I-FUCKING-CONIC

    • @zapazap
      @zapazap Před 3 lety +30

      Jack hearing this and it becoming an earworm.
      Later, Jack *incompetently* trying to collect milk:
      "The milk as yellow as...
      Oops."

    • @seaofglass77
      @seaofglass77 Před 3 lety +7

      I was a step sister in highschool. I could never get that bit.

    • @mikebliss3153
      @mikebliss3153 Před 3 lety +10

      @@zapazap
      Jack's Mother: "Jack, how many times do I have to tell you? Milky-White is a "She"--wait, that's not Milky-Whi--WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! JACK, NO!"

  • @BREADSWORD
    @BREADSWORD Před 3 lety +9584

    BABE WAKE UP NEW SIDEWAYS JUST DROPPED

    • @keolaquereto3406
      @keolaquereto3406 Před 3 lety +46

      Bruh I’m imagining the beautiful collaboration the two of you could do one day 👌

    • @adjoint_functor
      @adjoint_functor Před 3 lety +16

      Stolen from czcams.com/video/9b6OEjF4s1M/video.html&lc=UgwjaQATtYintzsaFy14AaABAg (open in new tab for some reason it doesn't show the original comment normally)
      (Oh and btw this was close to top comment when breadsword's comment was written, I'm almost certain this is not an accident)

    • @theDENIMMAN
      @theDENIMMAN Před 3 lety +8

      Also how I feel with new breadsword

    • @hychro
      @hychro Před 3 lety +3

      @BREADSWORD I’M AWAKE

    • @thegoodwitchluzura
      @thegoodwitchluzura Před 3 lety

      @Max Riley Liar. 🤥

  • @hchappy125
    @hchappy125 Před 8 měsíci +417

    Sideways just tweeted about how hard it is to start working on a video again. I’m sure it’s tough going, but I hope that means we’ll hear from you soon buddy!! Excited at the idea of another essay at long last, but take as long as it needs

    • @Miss_Trillium
      @Miss_Trillium Před 8 měsíci +49

      This is the best news I've had all day if it's true that he's working on a video

    • @Tomiply
      @Tomiply Před měsícem +7

      It's been half a year since your comment though, so who knows?

    • @Alirosa937
      @Alirosa937 Před měsícem +5

      Sideways I hope you know we are cheering you on!!!

  • @chibibble
    @chibibble Před 2 lety +4382

    Hey, Sideways. I hope you’re doing alright. Whatever it is you’re doing, or whatever is going on in your life right now, take however much time you need. Don’t worry about coming back because people are asking or pressuring you to, focus on your life. If you don’t end up returning at all, that’s alright too. You’ve already made enough to have an impact on many people’s lives, including mine. We would miss you, obviously, but we are not your top priority, YOU are your top priority.
    You’re work is great, and no matter what the subject is, I always walk away having learnt something and adding a new piece of knowledge to help with my writing.
    I’ll admit, it would be nice to know where you’ve been and what’s been happening, but you have a right to your own privacy and have no obligation to let us know.
    Whatever happens, I hope your alright above all else.

    • @imsil-gun
      @imsil-gun Před 2 lety +110

      Amen to this comment

    • @TH3RM4L
      @TH3RM4L Před 2 lety +197

      I just remembered that Sideways has posted in a while as well. I just presumed it was a combination of "long videos take a while to make" and college or whatever he does. Any news from patreon?

    • @mightyowl9246
      @mightyowl9246 Před 2 lety +79

      Just been binging some old content. I hope he’s doing ok

    • @dylanmcloughlin2187
      @dylanmcloughlin2187 Před 2 lety +26

      I came here to say this.

    • @chloeellis1246
      @chloeellis1246 Před 2 lety +490

      @@TH3RM4L I found this on his patreon from October
      Update
      Tl;dr the video I’ve been working on for 4 months is going into suspended animation so I can move on
      Hi everyone, kind of a crappy update, sorry, but it is what it is. For the last 4 months I’ve been working on a video about High School Musical. I never saw it when it first came out, and after getting a bunch of requests for it and checking it out I felt like I had to make a video about it.
      After starting the researching processes, I knew it was going to be a longer video, but by the time I got to writing the damn thing I quickly realized that it was 4, half-hour sections: a 2 hour video.
      Needless to say, I felt way less guilty taking a month or two off if it was going to be so long. I like to keep the videos at around the half hour length, so, for example, taking a month off to make the 1-hour Cats video kinda lined up in my head (half an hour per month; 2 months to make a 1-hour video).
      Well, after 4 months, and what should be the final deadline for the video I really don’t like where it’s at, for a few reasons. Firstly, this script deals with some really difficult and delicate subjects that I still really feel just aren't articulated exactly how they need to be with the current script. I hope you understand me not feeling ok clumsily stumbling through several really sensitive topics. Like I just *know* that I’m making some kind of mistake here, either I'm missing something, or I'm just not saying it in the right way, but I'm not one of these guys who has a master’s in philosophy and can properly express how what I'm trying to say needs to be said. Which, in turn, has led to me spending a LOT of time trying to get it right and I'm still just not 100% that it's where it needs to be in it's current form.
      On top of that, something really depressing has been happening all over my feeds across every platform.
      After going after Les Mis and Cats and having those videos both be really successful (thank you!) I’ve gained something of a reputation online for being the guy that takes down musicals? Especially movie musicals.
      I don’t want to be that.
      Normally when I say something is bad, I do it with the intention of defending something or someone else that has been wronged in some way. Cats for example, is a…functional? musical, and the film didn’t feel like it even cared how or why Cats worked at all. And while I didn’t like Les Mis, I tackled it from the perspective that Hooper was mistreating his cast and risked them being injured. Same for the live-action Disney movies, it really felt like they were mistreating or misusing their actors and it felt like not very many people were bringing light to that.
      And while I can say, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I do that thing where I swoop in to cringe-ly (sp?) white knight a bunch of people who didn't ask for help, I really worry that, like with most of my critics, a lot of people are going to look at the title and comment something to the effect of “yeah, take them down!!!1!!” which just isn’t the kind of energy or community I’m here to foster.
      Like, with the release of Dear Evan Hansen alone all I’ve been seeing are people saying “oh I can’t wait for Sideways to take this down” which just gives me really, REALLY bad vibes.
      So where do we go from here. I’m not deleting the video from my harddrive (it’s a solid state but I just can’t get harddrive outta my head, sorry) so there’s (hopefully a very good) chance that it’ll still see the light of day and I can get this video out to you all eventually, but I can’t overstate how much it’s just become a black hole in my life sucking all my time and energy into nothingness, and I just need to move on. Not just in terms of being able to make videos for the channel, but just so I can literally think about something else and be able to function as a human.
      For you patreons especially, I appreciate you hanging on during this weird blank space in my career. Obviously you haven’t been charged, and won’t be for any of this (and this is exactly why I don’t do monthly payments). I’m looking at October 1st as a kind of hard-reset day to just work on something else. Speaking of which, if you have any requests, I guess now would be a good time to comment them below for what is hopefully (fingers crossed!) going to be a new video in October.
      And as always,
      Thank you all for your continued support
      I literally could not do this without you!

  • @Dreveryn
    @Dreveryn Před 3 lety +2600

    I was literally just watching Sideways Cats video and was wondering "it's been about 3 months hope he's okay after that one."

  • @imtheonewhobroughtthebeans915

    “Friends come and go, but leitmotifs are *forever* “

  • @TheGeekMonster
    @TheGeekMonster Před 2 lety +131

    The first time you see Milky White just topple over and collapse on stage, and Jack screams, "Milky White is DEAD!" is one of the best moments in your theater experience LOL. I still crack up just thinking that someone would name a cow Milky White 😂

  • @bbavar
    @bbavar Před rokem +43

    The core message I took with me was about the hubris of adults trying to teach children to "be good" when they're not good, not wise, and not self aware. This is exemplified in the "children *** listen" songs that go from demanding obedience, to helpless frustration, to humility. The fairy tale theme is perfect for this message, because the stories are so often used to indoctrinate children with self-proclaimed morals that actually aren't good morals at all. As the show goes on, the ridiculousness of the premise that fairy tales are moral tales becomes more and more exaggerated, until it completely falls apart and is laid bare.

  • @saschabeth1852
    @saschabeth1852 Před 3 lety +2455

    Rapunzel actually healed her lover's blindness with her tears in the original tale, so this show didn't make that up (it's also one of the only things Tangled didn't change, although they added all the bits with the flower and the hair powers that told us she was magical beforehand).

    • @zapazap
      @zapazap Před 3 lety +209

      What the stage show added was turning the dropping of tears into an act of assault! :)

    • @broadwaybrook2319
      @broadwaybrook2319 Před 3 lety +172

      But in the original tale, the peasant guy steals the witch's plant for his sick pregnant wife, so yes, Tangled came up with the flower but it's inspired by the original tale

    • @bowmanc.7439
      @bowmanc.7439 Před 3 lety +24

      @@zapazap I took it as her hearing the narrator, and decided to force some mucus out of her eyes to cure her prince

    • @cannibalisticrequiem
      @cannibalisticrequiem Před 3 lety +13

      Pretty sure Ethan never implied that. Although I wonder if OBC Rapunzel ever accidentally headbutted her prince during the shows run, or during rehearsals.

    • @zapazap
      @zapazap Před 2 lety +6

      @@cannibalisticrequiem Hee! That would probably have been funny to see!

  • @anna48792
    @anna48792 Před 3 lety +2235

    "and that doesn't even begin to discuss what is the main musical idea for the whole show"
    T H E B E A N T H E M E

    • @imthecoolestguyalive
      @imthecoolestguyalive Před 3 lety +65

      It's so funny to hear a grown man say "BEAN THEME" with a dead serious voice.

    • @kage3069
      @kage3069 Před 3 lety +39

      Bean theme bean theme bean theme
      After saying that a few times "bean" and "theme" don't sound like words anymore

    • @stargate525
      @stargate525 Před 3 lety +3

      A bean!

    • @alencheese
      @alencheese Před 3 lety +7

      T H E B E A N T H E M E

    • @g.w.k.y6869
      @g.w.k.y6869 Před 3 lety +3

      Literally the moment I read this comment this part on the video played. Very fun B)

  • @nompuehuenu
    @nompuehuenu Před 3 měsíci +33

    it's been 2 years... we miss you, man. 🫂

    • @crosieog1774
      @crosieog1774 Před 3 měsíci +4

      glad to know I'm not alone here

  • @ThePsh07
    @ThePsh07 Před 2 lety +529

    Anyone else come back to this channel now end again to check for a new video?
    I miss these musical analyses.

    • @dabbyabb
      @dabbyabb Před 2 lety +13

      Yep. That's why I'm here

    • @Cliffviewnightradiodj
      @Cliffviewnightradiodj Před 2 lety +9

      He’s been on hiatus for awhile sadly. Check the subreddit for more info

    • @bc9942
      @bc9942 Před 2 lety +1

      @@Cliffviewnightradiodj do we know why he’s in hiatus?

    • @Gloomy_Ghost_Grave
      @Gloomy_Ghost_Grave Před 2 lety +6

      @@bc9942 one of the replies to a comment for this video shared a post that was on sideways patreon about his current state.

    • @Gloomy_Ghost_Grave
      @Gloomy_Ghost_Grave Před 2 lety

      @@bc9942 it was Chloe Ellis' reply to chibibbles comment.

  • @seopark7467
    @seopark7467 Před 3 lety +704

    I swear to god when I heard “careful the things you say, children will listen” for the first time I started BAWLING

    • @zapazap
      @zapazap Před 3 lety +36

      The most poignant moment in the play, I'd say.
      I don't bawl, but my eyes certainly well up.

    • @gdg4686p
      @gdg4686p Před 3 lety +74

      me when i heard “witches can be right, giants can be good, you decide whats right, you decided whats good”

    • @AnimeSunglasses
      @AnimeSunglasses Před 3 lety +14

      I dunno about the FIRST time I saw it, but it makes me cry EVERY time now!

    • @Snowbird5779
      @Snowbird5779 Před 3 lety +15

      Fam I started welling up watching it played in THIS video. I can't with that

    • @beanstheclown
      @beanstheclown Před 3 lety +27

      Every time. Hell, just reading the line makes tears well up. It is SO VERY IMPORTANT that we remember that moral. Children learn by watching the adults around them, none more so than their parents. If we want our children to grow and mature and make a better world we have to make the hard choice to carefully monitor our own words and behavior so that they have a model to learn from.

  • @weesalikesmilktea4829
    @weesalikesmilktea4829 Před 3 lety +732

    Us: "Say the line, Sideways!"
    Sideways: "Leitmotif"
    Us: *cheering*

  • @spemka
    @spemka Před 7 měsíci +76

    I miss this. Sideways would have so much to say on the little mermaid remake, I’m sure

  • @ianevans9137
    @ianevans9137 Před 3 měsíci +22

    Come back dad the kids miss you

  • @otterzrkuhl
    @otterzrkuhl Před 3 lety +489

    I hated Into the Woods when I saw the movie and then a few years later I had to read the stage script for an English class and I was like “wait was this good the whole time?”

    • @ashproductions
      @ashproductions Před 3 lety +9

      I mean, the movie wasn't ...

    • @hatchettwit
      @hatchettwit Před 3 lety +35

      When the movie came out I was excited because I grew up with the original, watching it over and over in the 90s. I was really let down by the movie, to the point that I actually walked away and didn't finish it. It kinda confuses me to be perfectly honest. Disney is GOOD at music, humor, and story and making it all fit beautifully. And then there's their live actions for the last several years. Each one a disappointment with a completely new vibe of not understanding how to wield nostalgia and demanding the right to change things to fit their cancerous view of seriousness and unspectacular normality. And they keep making them. Just enough people go watch because they hope, and because the money doesn't reflect how bad the work really was.. they don't see a reason to change.

    • @crstph
      @crstph Před 3 lety +12

      @@hatchettwit its also bc 1) kids dont know how bad it is. they didnt (and often wont) see the original, and theyre not there for masterful storytelling (which is NOT to say kids won’t appreciate a movie just because its good or complex. COME ON DISNEY), theyre there for entertainment & the characters, which are still fun to watch even if the comparison makes u want to rip ur hair out. kids are a MONSTER market bc when they obsess over things, they watch overandoverandover. so u have the market of returning adults, loyal disney fans, AND hyperfixating little kids
      2) they keep making them bc they want to renew their rights to these properties. this was the nail in the coffin for me giving up hope that theyll ever stop-cinderella was jussst coming up on becoming public domain when they released the live action, and now they have another 75(or whatever) years of selling blue dresses and slippers to little girls YAYYYY

    • @hatchettwit
      @hatchettwit Před 3 lety +4

      @@crstph You sure it was coming up on domain time? I could have sworn mickey was the longest running one and every time it came up the lobbied their asses off.

    • @politereminder6284
      @politereminder6284 Před 3 lety +2

      @@crstph The first time I saw the film, I decided that this musical was DEFINITELY NOT for kids. I wasn't familiar with the stage musical, but it was obviously not something I wanted my little people exposed to.
      The py is obviously for adults and the movie did not succeed in kiddifying it.

  • @rainbow-dam
    @rainbow-dam Před 3 lety +793

    Who would’ve thought something called “The Bean Theme” would’ve become something so powerful

    • @rachaelregier8442
      @rachaelregier8442 Před 3 lety +33

      I mean beans are a 💫 *powerful* 💫 things

    • @Graycata
      @Graycata Před 3 lety +2

      I always thought of it as "The Woods" theme, till this video

  • @Sparc-qe1xp
    @Sparc-qe1xp Před rokem +122

    My heart sinks thinking about you not coming back. You're one of the best channels I've ever come across and you cover a niche I never even knew I liked. Your analyses and commentary are, believe it or not, something that is very beneficial to the enjoyment of content and it sucks that a bunch of slobs on the internet are costing us all that, not to mention your own mental health. I sincerely hope you find your passion again and come back to this channel with more amazing reviews and analyses, it's literally the most entertaining thing I've ever seen and listened to on here. I love you Sideways!

  • @LizardsLore
    @LizardsLore Před 3 měsíci +30

    I really wish Sideways was still making videos… I miss these kinds of video essays. Into the Woods is hands down still my favorite musical.

  • @selectedshipper8282
    @selectedshipper8282 Před 3 lety +1144

    Little red’s “You can talk to birds?” at 14:09 will never not make me laugh

    • @oliverdelica2289
      @oliverdelica2289 Před 3 lety +5

      Hell yeah

    • @AuralayKristine
      @AuralayKristine Před 3 lety +40

      Haha yes!!! Because we're so used to taking certain fantastical elements at face value, you just...never really question that a princess can talk to woodland creatures, so when it's pointed out it's such a trope subversion that it just slams into you out of nowhere. I absolutely LOST IT the first time I saw this musical and heard that line. Comedy brilliance!

    • @DrawciaGleam02
      @DrawciaGleam02 Před 3 lety +16

      @@AuralayKristine
      I watched the movie and I liked that line too.
      Especially Cindy's reaction. She was like, "Yeah, it's a thing."

    • @angelle050801
      @angelle050801 Před 3 lety +13

      It's so perfectly deadpan and I love it😂😂😂

    • @rocknroll20024
      @rocknroll20024 Před 3 lety +1

      Yep

  • @beardyschultz
    @beardyschultz Před 3 lety +2237

    As my parents once told me:
    "The witch screamed herself out of existence, because she was surrounded by idiots who couldn't agree on how to deal with the problem that could kill them all, despite the easy solution. Relatable."

  • @lu-qx9gw
    @lu-qx9gw Před měsícem +31

    rip sideways you would’ve hated mean girls the musical :(

  • @Snugboy
    @Snugboy Před 3 lety +3071

    WHAT THE ABSOLUTE F????!!?!? DID I JUST GET MENTIONED IN A SIDEWAYS VIDEO???? Dude holy shit I have been an absolute gigantic fan of yours for so long. Thank you so so so much for watching my little old video on that awful film adaptation. This has seriously made my day

  • @LU-qr3kh
    @LU-qr3kh Před 3 lety +956

    I'm about halfway through this video, and to my understanding, I really doubt I'm wrong, the musical moral is that this is the musical equivalent of "Me and the boys at 3am looking for BEANS"

    • @skep2923
      @skep2923 Před 3 lety +58

      That is basically the story of Jack and the Beanstalk

    • @tortis6342
      @tortis6342 Před 3 lety +9

      How can anyone not agree with that?

    • @zapazap
      @zapazap Před 3 lety +3

      And nothing BUT BEANS

  • @Naleo07
    @Naleo07 Před 10 měsíci +63

    I miss you man, you were one of the best essay style you tube video makers I had ever watched, thank my dude for all your content. an wherever you are I hope you are doing well.

  • @issi7285
    @issi7285 Před měsícem +11

    I still miss sideways so so much

  • @amanday3103
    @amanday3103 Před 3 lety +629

    You know the sad thing? I did Into the Woods Jr. in middle school and it’s literally just the first act of the show and then that’s it.

    • @starbournehero771
      @starbournehero771 Před 3 lety +146

      That is a sin against theatre

    • @Smieska_13
      @Smieska_13 Před 3 lety +8

      Me too!!!

    • @shinydino
      @shinydino Před 3 lety +124

      Into the Woods Jr. bothers me so much because it neglects the entire message of the show. I’m not against kid-friendly adaptations of shows as long as they can maintain the essential elements and themes of the original work. Some shows, like Cabaret or even Rent, lose too much of their core identities and/or messages by being toned down to be faithfully adapted, but I think you can remove something like the orgy scene from Pippin without undermining the number that plays before it so long as you insinuate that Pippin’s not satisfied with his encounters. You can make Be More Chill work without the sex scene or mention of masturbation so long as you find other ways to characterize these people that still illustrate the purposes BEHIND those aspects of the show. It’s when the adaptation doesn’t attempt to respect the source material that I feel physically ill from frustration.

    • @KimberlySchwartz1
      @KimberlySchwartz1 Před 3 lety +9

      Same BUT I was so curious I bought the dvd of this performance and ever since the 6th grade it’s been my favorite musical! So at least curiosity can lead to you finding something amazing!!

    • @that_orange_hat
      @that_orange_hat Před 3 lety +3

      lmao yeah i did a high school production this year and now im so mad about that!!

  • @1dr_wall769
    @1dr_wall769 Před 3 lety +873

    Sideways just so passionately saying "T H E B E A N T H E M E" is like meeting Sara Tonin for the first time

  • @mesquitatm104
    @mesquitatm104 Před 2 měsíci +17

    I miss you bro. Your unhinged word pacing feels like home to me. Please come back

  • @seearuh4218
    @seearuh4218 Před měsícem +16

    SIDEWAYS BABY PLEASE COME HOME

  • @perfectlyhopeless
    @perfectlyhopeless Před 3 lety +3959

    Say what you will about the live action Into The Woods. Chris Pine dramatically singing and tearing open his shirt is a treat

    • @sarahfuentes1365
      @sarahfuentes1365 Před 3 lety +449

      That's literally the best part of the movie.

    • @kage3069
      @kage3069 Před 3 lety +72

      Yes. Yes. Yes.

    • @itsjanolli
      @itsjanolli Před 3 lety +230

      OH DEFINITELY i remember watching it when it came out and was so bored but that scene alone made it worth it

    • @dillonohlemiller9027
      @dillonohlemiller9027 Před 3 lety +257

      They nailed Agony

    • @shannon3353
      @shannon3353 Před 3 lety +195

      @@dillonohlemiller9027 Agony is also allowed to be silly and jokey

  • @Tog1259
    @Tog1259 Před 3 lety +334

    "It's like taking the comedy out of Shrek" Perfect comparison

  • @carterfoerch4556
    @carterfoerch4556 Před 7 měsíci +22

    We miss you Sideways, I’m a music major who learned LOADS from you going into my freshman year, the way you present info in depth without dumbing it down but also making it relatable is impressive. We all know you aren’t “the guy who tears down movies”, anyone who says otherwise is too dumb to hear what you are saying. All I’m saying is I love your work and if you ever want to return we’d be thrilled to have you back!!!!

  • @Karilinklo
    @Karilinklo Před rokem +102

    I wake up everyday hoping Sideways comes back

  • @ReyhanJoseph
    @ReyhanJoseph Před 3 lety +1284

    I want the emperor's new groove to be analyzed by sideways

    • @ceciliaatie4249
      @ceciliaatie4249 Před 3 lety +128

      i want everything to be analyzed by sideways

    • @JennaGetsCreative
      @JennaGetsCreative Před 3 lety +68

      +Payton Reid(ST) Just because it's not a musical with characters singing songs with lyrics doesn't mean there isn't music. It absolutely has music, and it uses music humorously at points. Remember Kronk doing his own theme song? All the times the camera misbehaves and the music highlights it?

    • @ShakespearsCyst
      @ShakespearsCyst Před 3 lety +25

      @@JennaGetsCreative Kronk's theme song is everything

    • @genius171
      @genius171 Před 3 lety +3

      this needs more likes

    • @rattyeely
      @rattyeely Před 3 lety +13

      He could anaylize the cut musical numbers and how much they influenced the actual score

  • @sophiemason8444
    @sophiemason8444 Před 3 lety +1074

    "You're just nice. You're not good, you're not bad, you're just 'nice'". I feel so many people need to hear that

    • @Nightman221k
      @Nightman221k Před 2 lety +5

      Keyboard slack-tivists in particular.

    • @GeekyGuy.
      @GeekyGuy. Před 2 lety +3

      @Stanley Stensaas I understood that reference

    • @ItsBAndBees
      @ItsBAndBees Před 2 lety +5

      I love that line too, reminds me of another favorite movie of mine “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” where a main character hates being called “nice”. I wonder if it was a nod to this..

  • @soph996
    @soph996 Před 2 lety +278

    I just came back from reading the latest patreon update and I'm so incredibly sorry that you've gone through so much crap personally and on social media/CZcams.
    I genuinely had no idea your videos were getting plagiarized like that and it just straight up sucks. I hope, if you do upload more videos in the future (if not that's also cool) to become one of the voices you can rely on. No one deserves to be discredited like that, least of all you.
    Best wishes and best of luck

    • @catlover4319
      @catlover4319 Před rokem

      Would you mind explaining what he said in the patreon about if he will be continuing to post youtube videos and why?

    • @fernandocortes1031
      @fernandocortes1031 Před rokem

      @@catlover4319 it's on another comment

  • @peonieprincess
    @peonieprincess Před 11 měsíci +18

    God … I cant believe it’s been 2 years

  • @animanya394
    @animanya394 Před 3 lety +445

    “You are not good or bad you are just nice. I am not nice or good I’m just right” damn

    • @Mnnvint
      @Mnnvint Před 3 lety +38

      Even the horribly abusive mom and would-be baby sacrificer gets to make a point.

  • @amayorangee
    @amayorangee Před 3 lety +1555

    I still remain incredulous that they changed Rapunzel's ending therefore destroying the emotional impact of the witches Lament. I also agree that they took out all of the humor when it could've been adapted well into a film.

    • @sovietcanuckistanian
      @sovietcanuckistanian Před 3 lety +117

      How can someone see Rapunzel's glorious cry-headbutts and think to themselves "This film doesn't need that"?

    • @triccele
      @triccele Před 3 lety +99

      It might be an unpopular opinion, but I actually preffer the ending for Rapunzel in the movie. Everyone is miserable or dead at the end, but Rapunzel got the chance to be happy at the end. She escaped her abusive parent, found someone who loved her and respect her, and got a chance to run away. Yes, that lessen the impact of the "children won't listen" first reply... but still.

    • @amayorangee
      @amayorangee Před 3 lety +82

      @@triccele Hey everyone is entitled to their opinion :). Since it was a Disney movie they had to cut out a lot of dark material so there was bound to be a happy ending for someone.
      I like the original material because there wasn't really one "good character". The witch is actually my favorite. In the original, Rapunzel becomes free but she ends up with a husband who cheats on her, goes insane, and then gets crushed to death because Jack was selfish and went back up the bean stalk. The witch knew the world was dark, wild, and that people were selfish... so she wanted to protect Rapunzel from that. She was a hag because someone stole from her. She also points this out in Last Midnight by calling out the others for the selfish things they did and then peaces out because she's done with everyone. The witch also embodies what most parents feel: when your child grows up and moves away... you feel like you lost them. It'll never be like when they were young and needed you.
      I'm mostly incredulous because changing the Rapunzel story took away the complexities of the witch. Now she was just a crazy witch who imprisoned her daughter.

    • @kage3069
      @kage3069 Před 3 lety +26

      I agree, I still really like the movie. Of course it is different from the original musical, some aspects (sadly) just can't be adapted, like killing the narrator and breaking the fourth wall. I like to see the movie and the musical as two separate works and I enjoy both a lot. And you've got to give the actors credit, they are without question the best part of the movie!

    • @lee_s0a
      @lee_s0a Před 3 lety +21

      @@amayorangee What I just disliked about it is it could have been told better but they treated Rapunzel as a comic relief when it was clear she was the most honest with her darkest experiences. While the musical's punchlines work, it's just strange that she didn't get a proper arc treatment (at least, compared to the Baker's wife or mostly everyone else) and she was just /that/, one of the punchlines :< I'm just saying, she has potential to show the impact of her struggles upfront and give more weight to the emotions of the Witch.
      (if this makes sense lol sorry english isn't my first language)

  • @juliastms
    @juliastms Před rokem +62

    Whatever the reason is why you stopped uploading videos, I hope you're doing okay. And I hope you know how much of a positive impact you had (and continue to have) on so many people. I've been watching your videos for years and I keep coming back to them. I think I watched every single video on your channel at least +5 times (some of them even more than that) because they give me so much comfort.

  • @julhol7482
    @julhol7482 Před 10 měsíci +29

    We miss you, man, but take your time to heal. Your content is some of my favorite on CZcams.

  • @hiddendruid
    @hiddendruid Před 3 lety +5455

    Lord have mercy my favorite essayist is back

    • @cicelyb9443
      @cicelyb9443 Před 3 lety +54

      no the way I got so excited the moment I saw this video

    • @d3vitron779
      @d3vitron779 Před 3 lety +24

      Lord have mercy, I’m boutta bust

    • @alanhegewisch4486
      @alanhegewisch4486 Před 3 lety +24

      This is like running into your old crush when you're already together with your cool new video essayist, bad boy CJ The X.

    • @ghintz2156
      @ghintz2156 Před 3 lety +12

      Same! The hiatus was worrying me.

    • @sampepper7682
      @sampepper7682 Před 3 lety +2

      Same

  • @carmenmercedes9903
    @carmenmercedes9903 Před 3 lety +946

    For anyone wondering about the lyric changes for the witch:
    She's singing about how children must listen
    Then about how they won't
    Then how they will
    Or, (thanks to J. Soul in the replies)
    "Children don't know any better, they must listen to their elders or else they'll get themselves hurt."
    "Despite whats best for them, children can't be forced to do the right thing, and they end up getting hurt."
    "Children may not listen to your orders, but they still watch and listen to your actions, so act as you would want them to, and they will internalize that."

    • @shmunkyman33
      @shmunkyman33 Před 3 lety +112

      Or:
      "Children don't know any better, they must listen to their elders or else they'll get themselves hurt."
      "Despite whats best for them, children can't be forced to do the right thing, and they end up getting hurt."
      "Children may not listen to your orders, but they still watch and listen to your actions, so act as you would want them to, and they will internalize that."

    • @jacobb5484
      @jacobb5484 Před 3 lety +8

      Aka the original point of fairytales, conveying a moral to children.

    • @carmenmercedes9903
      @carmenmercedes9903 Před 3 lety +1

      @@jacobb5484 true!!

  • @TheQuashingoftheTub
    @TheQuashingoftheTub Před rokem +19

    Into the Woods is very special to me. In middle school, I was shoved into theater for some reason despite my crippling anxiety. Thankfully everyone else in my class had similar issues and we voted on focusing on the technical aspect of theater that year. Into the Woods was one of the few projects we started an analysis on that we actually got to see through to the end and I loved it. I wasn't really able to design any costumes like they wanted because I kinda sucked at drawing humans and clothing, but I at least had a blast and made a Theater friend. We saw Into the Woods in theaters together, and while the movie. . . Exists it was the first movie I ever went without family to see. The Broadway musical still slaps.

  • @ANTREU96
    @ANTREU96 Před 6 měsíci +13

    We miss you, sideways

  • @MicahRion
    @MicahRion Před 3 lety +320

    Also one of my favorite jokes in the show is, “if the end is right, it justifies... the beans!”

    • @HannyBunny1998
      @HannyBunny1998 Před 2 lety +9

      @Greg Elchert To be fair, this is the same man who wrote a 7 minute long song purely made up of cannibalism puns!

    • @W3Rn1ckz
      @W3Rn1ckz Před 2 lety +1

      THE BEEEEEEEEEEEEES!

  • @PogieJoe
    @PogieJoe Před 3 lety +407

    We did Into the Woods at my very Catholic high school as a kid. The first act was met with laughter and claps. The second half was met with deafening silence. Lol
    It’s a damn fine musical in my opinion.

    • @misteryA555
      @misteryA555 Před 3 lety +54

      Usually schools only do the first act for exactly this reason, I know mine did lol

    • @VividDayDream
      @VividDayDream Před 3 lety +24

      I did into the woods jr at my theater for no specific reason and oh my god. they just cut out all of act two in the jr edition. I hated it.

    • @skriddlehiddles
      @skriddlehiddles Před 3 lety +21

      @@VividDayDream Good to know. I’m the assistant director for the theatre program where I teach. We will not be doing that one.

  • @willgilhespy
    @willgilhespy Před rokem +46

    We love you bro, and I'm sorry for all the horrible things that happened to you online, you're a true positive force in the world and I, as well as millions of others, wish you the best in whatever endeavor you pursue next.

  • @mightytaconerds7919
    @mightytaconerds7919 Před 7 měsíci +18

    One only can dream of the glorious day when Sideways returns to CZcams

  • @nobleaj8
    @nobleaj8 Před 3 lety +216

    “You can talk to birds?” Is my favorite laughs line ever.

  • @e.j.meehan6209
    @e.j.meehan6209 Před 3 lety +278

    The way the Baker's wife delivers "You forgot your scarf" is like top 10 line deliveries.
    Also one small developing motif (maybe?) that I love is during the midnight songs Jack's mother says "The slotted spoon doesn't hold much soup" referring to her son jack as being very dimwitted. And in the finale of the show, they reprise this moment and Jack's Mother says "The slotted spoon can catch the potato" And it's like... such a beautiful little quirky thing to turn that line around? Idk I've always loved that moment!

    • @AnotherJenn42
      @AnotherJenn42 Před 3 lety +23

      I tried to explain the brilliance of those lines to my mom when I was a teenager. I still remember the blank look she gave me. Granted, I’m no Sideways, but I’m moderately to fluently articulate. She loves musicals, but on a surface level. I love the analysis and delving deeper. I really appreciate your comment. My teenage self is finally validated.

    • @cannibalisticrequiem
      @cannibalisticrequiem Před 2 lety +11

      Yup! It's basically saying that even people who seem unintelligent on certain topics, *can* be knowledgeable in others. Jack may have not been very bright upon first glance, but after visiting the Land of the Giants, he knows how to track giants and helps to formulate a plan to slay the giant's wife. (Although the show unfortunately cannot delve deeper into how the giantess was justified in her anger because this human boy manages to sneak/break into her house, but she doesn't try to squish him in retaliation, instead showing him hospitality by entertaining him (in different versions of the story she feeds him and tells him stories of giants) and he repays her kindness by stealing from her. Twice. And murdering her husband. (I know it most versions, Jack kills the giant to protect himself because the giantess warns if her husband finds Jack he will eat him, "grinding Jack's bones to make his bread", but in Woods, it's set up that the giant gives chase after Jack steals his harp.)

    • @Soroboruo
      @Soroboruo Před 2 lety +1

      Yes! It's such a good... not quite Brick Joke? It's funny, but it's touching at the same time. It feels like she was able to truly recognize her son's potential.

  • @naomiagustina0102
    @naomiagustina0102 Před rokem +27

    I love the “bean theme” in the reprise of Agony where the notes truly sound agonizing

  • @WillowLackett
    @WillowLackett Před 7 měsíci +22

    But when the world needed him most... *he vanished.*

  • @angelreader4564
    @angelreader4564 Před 3 lety +189

    whenever i say this is my favorite musical, ppl respond with "you only like it cuz it's funny" and YES! i do! because that's the point! the humor is integral to the themes of the show! the idea that comedy detracts from any "high-brow" themes, messages, and explorations baffles me. this show is genuinely so much fun, and has a lot to say.

    • @niftythegoblin
      @niftythegoblin Před 3 lety +33

      People act like humour can't be a great way to reflect on very real outlooks. Like the only way to get a conversation going is by being stern and serious all the time. Most of the best lessons media has to teach us comes in the form of humour.

    • @redacted5078
      @redacted5078 Před 3 lety +7

      Tbh humour is literally one of the greatest ways to convey a message and its underrated

    • @abigailw7146
      @abigailw7146 Před 2 lety

      yeah no duh would you rather it not be funny?

  • @andylindsey
    @andylindsey Před 3 lety +844

    The stage musical looks a lot more fun than the movie Disney made.

    • @zapazap
      @zapazap Před 3 lety +66

      Certainly more fun to watch. Probably more fun to make.

    • @wiebemartens1030
      @wiebemartens1030 Před 3 lety +40

      I didn't even know the Disney made film was a remake of this musical, now I get why the movie seemed so boring

    • @jbvader721
      @jbvader721 Před 3 lety +67

      @@wiebemartens1030 Disney was probably the worst studio choice for a film adaptation of this show. If it was R rated, broke the fourth wall similar to Deadpool and went all out in terms of stylism, it may have had a chance.

    • @25meip
      @25meip Před 3 lety +44

      And they actually have this full stage recording released on CZcams for free, it really is quite great. Every performer nails it

    • @brendanmilburn9067
      @brendanmilburn9067 Před 3 lety +33

      @@jbvader721
      I don't think it needs to be R rated, PG-13 would be fine. However I honestly think the movie was able to include quite a lot of the stage show even within the PG rating limits, like I'm surprised Hello Little Girl at all made it into the film adaptation. But I do agree it does lose some edge and uniqueness getting rid of it's fourth wall breaking satirical nature.

  • @the_moistest
    @the_moistest Před rokem +12

    Please come back. We miss you.

  • @helens1016
    @helens1016 Před 2 lety +47

    While I like this video for the most part, I don't think *every* character's wish is selfish. Honestly, none of them are really that selfish. It's just the shit they do while trying to fulfill their wish that's sometimes immoral.

  • @peanutthelion815
    @peanutthelion815 Před 3 lety +549

    There's so much youtube that's just "this is bad and here's why" and it's usually interesting and... Nice, but sometimes it's just good to hear "this is amazing and here's why". I love to hear people gushing about the good and nice things in life. :')

  • @maevemonroe
    @maevemonroe Před 3 lety +762

    Any day with a Sideways Sondheim video is a good day.
    The witch's line "You're not good, you're just nice" made my kid brain explode when I watched it the first time. Growing up in the Midwest, that line is just... damn.

    • @Wrynwynn
      @Wrynwynn Před 3 lety +13

      YUP.
      SAME.

    • @zapazap
      @zapazap Před 3 lety +44

      "You're not good, you're not bad, you're just nice".
      Yup. Sung with such contempt by Peters.

    • @omelette_Doo
      @omelette_Doo Před 3 lety +7

      Totally changed my life

    • @mcorby53
      @mcorby53 Před 3 lety +23

      I lived in the South for 26 years and the Midwest for 10. *Not good, just nice* is the hot syrup that makes the south so sticky.

    • @mg7977
      @mg7977 Před 3 lety +15

      That line has stuck with me my whole life. For everyone else that this line resonates with-are any of you ADHD or autistic? I always feel like that line-and, in general, the Witch's alienation from the "regular" people in the show-captures a really core aspect of being neurodivergent in a society that privileges neurotypicals.

  • @theiammike123
    @theiammike123 Před 2 lety +31

    We miss you Sideways. 😥

  • @smileymoomaroo
    @smileymoomaroo Před rokem +22

    Miss you sideways! I've always loved your videos and come back to rewatch. Hope you're doing okay! 🫶

  • @stephaniewhelchel3873
    @stephaniewhelchel3873 Před 3 lety +580

    I remember when I saw this on stage a few years ago, the actress playing the witch had broken her ankle or something, and she started off using a cane to get around, but eventually progressed to a golf cart. And it worked.

    • @jesselynmaxkidz2989
      @jesselynmaxkidz2989 Před 2 lety +65

      Oh my God that must've been a joy to watch. I kinda wanna see that, must've been hilarious

    • @CherryBomb_Games
      @CherryBomb_Games Před 2 lety +52

      Just me visualizing that made me laugh. I'd be freaking howling watching that.

    • @katherinevadney948
      @katherinevadney948 Před 2 lety +41

      I’m just wondering if/why they randomly had a working golf cart backstage

    • @lookmanobraincells9072
      @lookmanobraincells9072 Před 2 lety +65

      I saw a version where one of the actors playing the stepsisters wasn't there for some reason, she was listed, so one guy was playing both just by stepping into different positions and using voices and it was HILARIOUS

    • @spooky_boi6978
      @spooky_boi6978 Před 2 lety +19

      @@lookmanobraincells9072 that’s the scenario my school’s production is in. My best friends are playing both the princes and the stepsisters. It’s been golden so far

  • @KarlieStarrSings
    @KarlieStarrSings Před 3 lety +125

    "There is no such thing as a happily ever after because there is always something new to learn"
    Damn! That is raw

  • @benv7933
    @benv7933 Před měsícem +8

    Sideways I hope you're doing OK. We love and miss you so much.

  • @funkyfreshfella1041
    @funkyfreshfella1041 Před 4 měsíci +14

    Hey, Im not sure when or if you'll ever come back, but I just wanted to let you know how much I've enjoyed your videos throughout the years, your high quality, extremely informative videos used to make my day, or even week, I'm now rewatching all your old videos one by one! I hope that youre having a decent day, and a decently good year so far!

  • @zo5658
    @zo5658 Před 2 lety +2654

    this isn’t that deep, but the cinderella’s line at the beginning “what’s the good of being good when everyone is blind” is amazing to me since the stepsisters get blinded and it’s kinda symbolic

    • @blazerheata6479
      @blazerheata6479 Před 2 lety +160

      Yeah and then in Act 2 Cinderella is still acting 'good' when her stepsisters are LITERALLY BLIND. Pleasing her family, letting them into the royal family despite how they blatantly use her for this.

    • @chuckmcginty5765
      @chuckmcginty5765 Před 2 lety +126

      @@blazerheata6479 Not to mention the next line.
      What's the good of being good
      If everyone is blind
      And you're always left behind?
      She is left behind, and subsequently is the only one to survive of all of them.

    • @yoschiii
      @yoschiii Před 2 lety +136

      Also "What's the point of being good if everyone is blind" shows that Cinderella was not inherently good to begin with. She wanted a reward for being good, which is not the point of goodness. Goodness is goodness whether or not there is a reward, but she felt entitled to a reward for being 'good'. Its genius songwriting.

    • @GippyHappy
      @GippyHappy Před 2 lety +36

      Also the prince is blinded and the giant too. There's a lot of blinding in this musical.

    • @JhadeSagrav
      @JhadeSagrav Před rokem +15

      ​@@GippyHappy
      "...if everyone is blind"
      it was FORESHADOWING all along! 😂

  • @awebono2312
    @awebono2312 Před 3 lety +213

    I love how he always sounds like he’s being timed and he doesn’t have time to breathe

  • @caitlinkershaw8006
    @caitlinkershaw8006 Před 2 lety +131

    As a musical theatre nerd, I really appreciate you giving these musicals their credit. I heard that some people see your channel as a negative take on some musicals, but that's obviously not true. You clearly have such a deep love and respect for music and musical theatre, and any negative opinions you have are more about wanting to pay homage to the stage productions in the movies (which a lot don't do well). Sorry for this essay hehe. Hope you're doing okay and whenever, if ever, you're ready to make another video, I'll be ready and eager to watch it

  • @samtasmic15
    @samtasmic15 Před 9 měsíci +10

    come back please come back we miss you

  • @acapellascience
    @acapellascience Před 3 lety +1743

    I wish
    more than anything
    more than the moon
    to have Sondheim's mastery over motif

    • @mg7977
      @mg7977 Před 3 lety +39

      Same!!
      I'm actually just learning music now, so I could be dead wrong, but here is what I'm starting to think about motif: I think part of why it seems so intimidating and confusing to a lot of people who are otherwise musically talented is that true mastery over leitmotif-like the kind Sondheim has-is that people seem to think of it as this kind of inaccessible God Tier music theory skill, but the ability to deploy and develop motifs effectively is less a product of music theory genius or expertise and more of an emotional intelligence/storytelling skill.
      Basic music theory knowledge is obviously a prerequisite, and advanced music theory knowledge is obviously even better, but It's about understanding what the most important characters, props, places, and moments are in your show/movie/concept album/whatever, what their meanings are, how those meanings and feelings evolve over time, and knowing enough music theory to understand how to communicate those evolutions in meaning. A lot of people who write musical theatre, I think, have a lot of musical talent and knowledge without understanding story-or understanding human beings for that matter-and that's a big part of what separates Sondheim from the rest of the pack.

    • @stargirl2477
      @stargirl2477 Před 3 lety +5

      Your not wrong. I think that motifs are very good to storytelling-be it in a play or in a book- little snipits of what you want to get across that are interwoven into the plot and characters through music or anything else. Also having an understanding of what the story is about, and the characters, can really help in driving the motif, be it through song choices or spoken under a vamp. This is one of the reasons why I like Stevan S's shows - he really understands the story and what he wants tell through little snips of musical dialogue sprinkled throughout the show and how the characters personas are supposed to be. Even though I love ALW and the musicals he produces for getting me invested in tragic/misunderstood or just out of luck characters- like the Phantom or Evita- I wasn't able to get as much of a motif that ties the themes or story together quite as well. Sure, there can be callbacks to the score and help flesh out the character, but that's about it. ( I might add that getting motifs out of the books that half of ALW musicals are based on can make you 1) understand the characters & story more 2) you can find motifs that can be interconnected to the tale, and build around that.)

    • @rickelvi
      @rickelvi Před 3 lety +8

      You get exactly what you want, in fact all you can compose are exact transcriptions of Sondheim's work and you go to jail for plagiarism

    • @mgailp
      @mgailp Před 3 lety +10

      @@mg7977 While the basic writing of leitmotif takes a decent amount of knowledge and skill, Sondheim's ability to weave them together is what truly what puts him above and beyond. To have them all working together without clashing musically (unless that tells part of the story), or getting lost in the other music, is much harder than creating them individually.

    • @ezelfrancisco1349
      @ezelfrancisco1349 Před 2 lety +1

      Sondheim have two songwriting books, called Finishing The Hat and Look, I Made A Hat

  • @hospitalgal101
    @hospitalgal101 Před 3 lety +267

    One of my favorite stage gags of all time is the Baker getting frustrated with leading the cow away and picking it up and running. I get so mad when the cow is played by an actor (on stage) or cgi.

    • @TheBridgieShow
      @TheBridgieShow Před 2 lety +50

      I know this comment is super old, but I saw a version of ItW that had an actor playing the cow and they made it work. It was a high school production where the baker was obviously, like, the most experienced senior and the cow was this guy who was probably a freshman. In that scene, when the baker gets frustrated, the baker just picked up the cow and piggy-backed him across the stage. It was absolutely hilarious and a great way to implement the gag.

    • @hospitalgal101
      @hospitalgal101 Před 2 lety +5

      @@TheBridgieShow that is super creative

  • @parkzalie
    @parkzalie Před měsícem +7

    Hope you're doing okay Sideways, I still rewatch your videos and I still love them! We miss you

  • @geraldinebs2785
    @geraldinebs2785 Před 5 měsíci +13

    I miss your commentary and musical insight, however I hope that time away has helped you find peace. Thank you for your work and passion 💖

  • @ZoeFaythe
    @ZoeFaythe Před 3 lety +496

    Somebody might've pointed this out already but y'all ever think about how there's 5 notes in the bean theme and 5 characters left at the end (Cinderalla, Jack, the Baker, Little Red, and the baby)

    • @silentsmurf
      @silentsmurf Před 3 lety +13

      I never realized this. Thank you 🙏

    • @EmilynWood
      @EmilynWood Před 3 lety +52

      I was actually wondering if there was any significance to the number 5 in reference to the beans. Another parallel, now that I think about it, is that there are five fairy tales/stories going on in the play--Cinderella, Rapunzel, Red Riding Hood, Jack, and the baker and his wife's story.

    • @broadwaybrook2319
      @broadwaybrook2319 Před 3 lety +4

      What happened to Rapunzel's twins? They died as well?

    • @AlinaAniretake
      @AlinaAniretake Před 3 lety +2

      @@broadwaybrook2319 right before Rapunzel said, that "Your way of raising me, never made me happy" she said, that she was sealed with Prince into a Desert, which resulted in death of her twins

  • @olympiadeverre
    @olympiadeverre Před 3 lety +884

    I did a whole lot of writing about Into the Woods last week, and one of the most intriguing things to me is that Rapunzel especially never has a truly happy ending. Even though she marries her prince, the abuse she suffered is still at the forefront. Her “because of what you did, I can never be happy” drops like a bombshell after the others sing about being “so happy.”
    It’s a “wake the fuck up, audience” moment that really got me thinking. She was doomed from birth, infantilized and kept under the strongest supervision until being thrust into the world with no preparation whatsoever. She’s got moments of happiness, but they’re just moments (just some other passing moments, even). And as much as the Witch talks about accepting the blame in Your Fault, she clearly won’t accept the blame for how royally she fucked up her own child.
    The movie was made right after Tangled, so of course Disney couldn’t kill off their freshest princess. And that hurts the movie beyond belief.

    • @ashproductions
      @ashproductions Před 3 lety +164

      Exactly my thought, and allowing Rapunzel a happy ending with her prince completely undermines not just the movie, but the Witch's entire arc. Her grief at the end is basically becomes a continued jealousy over her "daughter" going off and marrying a prince, and not the literal grief and mourning after the child she raised and abused threw herself under a giant's foot. That's hugely dark, and hugely important. So much was lost in that movie...

    • @dramafinn2425
      @dramafinn2425 Před 3 lety +60

      I played Rapunzel in my school's production of Into The Woods, and when I played her, I got a sense of what you're saying. She never gets her happily ever after. And all she wanted in that scene in the second act was for her mother to take the blame, to say sorry. Maybe if she did, Rapunzel might have lived and got a happier ending.

    • @dramafinn2425
      @dramafinn2425 Před 2 lety +42

      @The Unagamer in the second act she dies. The witch is trying to get her to stay with her, but she’d rather run towards danger (the giant) than be near the witch, which resulted in her death. I feel as though the witch is definitely in the wrong, because it’s not about rapunzel not listening. It’s more about how she can’t trust the witch, and the only thing she was ever taught was to trust her, so she doesn’t know her way. It also really speaks to the message at the end, ‘careful the things you do/say, children will listen’. Its about the lessons you teach them to prepare them for the world.

    • @miamakes99
      @miamakes99 Před 2 lety +4

      Her story is actually really reminiscent of Hardy's Tess of the D'Urbervilles, totally unprepared for real life and as soon as she's dropped in it you know she's doomed

    • @cannibalisticrequiem
      @cannibalisticrequiem Před 2 lety +19

      I have to say I disagree with the notion that the witch never owns up to how badly she fucked up Rapunzel during "Your Fault". I don't think she needed to, because we already see the realization of the damage she caused occur when Rapunzel chooses to kill herself rather than be around her mother, and that's the slap in the face the witch needs in that moment. At first she's in denial singing "Children Won't Listen", but she seems to realize as the show goes on just how much she failed her daughter. The coldly delivered line, "Wake up! People all around us are dying! You are not the only one to suffer a loss!", Last Midnight is a loud cry of pain, hurt, and anger. She has quietly accepted that *she* is the one solely responsible for her daughter's death and becomes disgusted by everyone pointing fingers, trying to shift the blame to someone else and she becomes fed up with it and yeets herself out of the story. Even if she had stuck around for the showdown with the giantess, she still had nothing to live for as her child was dead. She genuinely loved Rapunzel and the tragedy is that she *was* trying to be a good mother, but she had already failed long before then because of her own toxic relationship with *her* mother (the witch outright states that her ugliness was a punishment from her long-deceased mother if someone were to ever steal her magic beans - so we can only guess how their relationship was, even though I'm guessing it was not good) and because she never truly worked through her issues, the witch ended up continuing the cycle of abuse and perpetuating generational trauma onto her relationship with Rapunzel. Then at the very end of the show when she sings "Children Will Listen", she finally acknowledges that your interactions and relationship with your children *do* matter. Children *will* listen to everything you say, and things you may say without thinking or out of anger/frustration will be taken to heart and mold them into the adults they become. (And if you're not careful, that may result in your child not wanting to have anything to do with you because of how you treated them, or worse, they would rather be dead than to be around you ever again.)

  • @Shadow1Yaz
    @Shadow1Yaz Před 4 měsíci +11

    I miss you. Your videos being me such comfort. I hope you’re doing ok.

  • @sybilcollas
    @sybilcollas Před rokem +67

    Just wanted to drop a hello and a thanks (not like flowers on a tomb, more like letters to a stranger who might never read them). Your videos are amazing and your content helped me both personally and professionally. I'd be sad if you don't make a comeback, but you left us a precious legacy. For what it's worth I do cite you as a source when I evoke stuff I learned from Sideways. I hope you're ok.

  • @noahfortner2
    @noahfortner2 Před 3 lety +181

    I dont even care about music, i just live for this guy’s enthusiasm

  • @petalpoison1
    @petalpoison1 Před 3 lety +511

    After months of lowkey spamming "Into the Woods" in the Twitch chat in hopes of ingraining it into his subconscious, Sideways has now talked about my favorite musical. My dreams came true

  • @shineyluna1268
    @shineyluna1268 Před 4 měsíci +9

    I know sideways probably isn't coming back to youtube, but the last 6 months of media have made me really miss him and his videos

  • @sharonwiebe3971
    @sharonwiebe3971 Před měsícem +7

    I still come back and watch these videos every now and then. We miss you Sideways ;-; hope you are doing well

  • @smolglowcloud
    @smolglowcloud Před 3 lety +517

    Okay I haven't finished the video yet, but about the "I Wish" thing, when I was playing Little Red, I noticed something. All the characters who get an "I Wish" in the opening, also get an "I Wish" in the opening of act two, EXCEPT for Little Red. Her act two "I Wish" doesn't come until "No One Is Alone," which is really freaking sad.

    • @TheAceUpYourSleeves
      @TheAceUpYourSleeves Před 2 lety +34

      Oh god you’re right, oh no that’s really sad!!

    • @awesomehawkins
      @awesomehawkins Před 2 lety +73

      And she doesn’t even finish it though 😭😭
      “I wish-“
      “I know”

    • @blazerheata6479
      @blazerheata6479 Před 2 lety +76

      In fact, her act 1 'I wish' starts out as 'I wish, it's not for me but for my granny in the woods!' while she does eat most of the sweets she bought, she just wanted the best for her grandma. The bread, the flowers across the way, and then to find her grandmother in act 2

    • @chavitanwar2126
      @chavitanwar2126 Před 2 lety +5

      It must probably have some significance. Such a carefully thought out show would not just forget about it.
      Any thoughts? I've only seen the play once (on CZcams, I live in India)
      Edit: ok i just watched it again (on CZcams) and I just realized, Little Red doesn't really want anything in the beginning of act 2. She's just living her life normally until the giant comes down and she gets an I wish after she realizes that her grandmother's oak is crushed.