I’m in a production of into the woods and they gave that line to our narrator and I love my director so much but I do not believe that is quite as good of a choice because I think if it’s Cinderella it shows that we never stop wishing and even once we get what we want we still have wishes
This musical, in my humble opinion, it one of the greatest musicals of all time. I saw it in 7th grade theatre class and I remember it so vividly. The music is, I have no words, its incredible to say the least. Plus, the dialogue and performances are hilarious.
I saw it when it first ran on Broadway in the late 1980s and I loved it but Sondheim has better shows- especially Sweeney Todd which I saw around the same time in a revival at Lincoln Center.
What's interesting is that this was ALL pre recorded on the original Broadway set, up until the point Phylicia finishes her phrase "Children Will Listen", then it is live on the Tony Awards stage when Joanna starts singing "Careful the things you do..." They made a GREAT transition! You'd never notice.
This musical is all right but I just love the song by itself. Children Will Listen perhaps the first song by Stephen Sondheim that vividly comes to mind when I think of his reputation as a Broadway legend.
James Lapine!! Without him writing the wonderful book for this musical and directing it along with Sunday In The Park With George, and Passion stephen sondheim's last to 3 musicals wouldn't have made their legacy without him on the team.
Phylicia made a beautiful witch. I saw the show on Broadway with this cast including phylicia. I was 19. I will never forget it. Fourth row left orchestra !
Into The Woods is one of the greatest Broadway shows, and there's literally a part for everyone. It's definitely one of my personal favorites. I was singing along to every word, and I can't help but to smile and get chills every time I watch this.
She had already left the show by this point. Tony performances are almost always the current Broadway cast. Many say her early exit is what cost her the Tony.
"Bernie" had left the show by the time the Tony Awards occurred. She was at the Tony's but chose not to perform the "Woods" number. She ended up presenting the Tony to Joanna Gleason for Best Actress in a Musical.
I remember my parents went to see Into the Woods with Phylicia Rashad, while I stayed home with Grandma, lol. I watched the film version over and over again later, loved it of course. It's so interesting to finally see Phylicia take on the character!
A couple of Sweeney Todd alums were in the original cast: Merle Louise (the Beggar Woman) was the Giantess and Cinderella's Mother, and Edmund Lyndeck (Judge Turpin) was Cinderella's Father. (Huh. How about that. The Judge got to be with Lucy after all.) I was a little misled by this clip--this and an early TV commercial. Both made the show look like a lighthearted fractured-fairy-tale romp. I think that was why, at the age of 16 listening to the album for the first time, I was so floored by the dark turns the plot took. It wasn't until later that I realized that Stephen Sondheim wasn't messing with happy fairy tale endings just to be a jerk--he wanted to show that each of the characters had acted thoughtlessly, immorally, or irresponsibly, and that their actions had consequences.
I find this performance is impressive with all of the quick changes and scene changes. Geezaloo I guess that's one of the challenges of theater. Love it
I love love love Bernadette as the witch forever, but I honestly wish I could see a bit more of Phylicia Rashad in the role. ... although I find it hard to believe Rapunzel would've been letting princes up her hair if Claire Huxtable were her mom...
That was awesome. I watched the Disney version recently with my daughter. I had never heard of the story before. Now I cant get the songs out of my head. I love it! Gonna buy the dvd. Into the woods! Into the woods!
she was also 'off' a lot - and actually much of the audience preferred Joy Frantz (seen here as Cinderella's mother) who was Peters' cover, and played during her vacations. At least she wasn't late to every f*cking note like Peters :-)
Rob Marshall's a great director of movie - musicals...he did Chicago, and that was an awesome adaptation. The thing that will make or break the Disney version is whether or not they let Rapunzel live. There was talk at the beginning of production that Rapunzel wouldn't die to make it less scary. However, Rapunzel's death makes the Witch a sympathetic character, so if she lives they'll be making a huge mistake.
Not so much for me. Disney has done very dark material before. Even murder and death (Bambi and the Lion King come to mind). It's the Adultery and infidelity that worry me. Because those themes also play a huge role in the show.
SirJedi Consular What's miraculous is that Disney is planning on cutting the death of Rapunzel instead of the infidelity - I'm not one for changing the storyline at all in this show, because it's brilliant and everything pieces together perfectly. I'm pretty sure I saw a little moment with Emily Blunt and Chris Pine though, so I'm under the impression that the show is still rife with infidelity. I don't necessarily think getting rid of the infidelity would change the story for those characters as much as Rapunzel's death changes the Witch though.
Bernadette Peters wasn't in this performance because she was busy for most of the show's run starring in Slaves of New York. She came back, however, for the 1991 PBS special. I don't know why they cast Meryl Streep as the Witch in the new movie, but, she might be good.
Andrew McNamara Yeah, Meryl Streep is certainly a screen legend but Bernadette Peters is one of the biggest broadway legends of our time, and is considered the master performer of the work of Stephen Sondheim. I think Streep will do great in the role of the Witch, but there's no sense comparing her to Bernadette, who really has no comparison.
Since Into The Woods got the awards for Best Book and Best Original Score, it could have won Best Musical. ...why did Phantom of the Opera have to open that year as well?
Phantom is not even half the musical into the woods is, and Into the Woods should have cleaned up at the Tony's, I'm mean it won best, book, score, and leading actress, best musical was expected, phantom just did not deserve it.
I found it strange that Into The Woods won those important awards and yet somehow didn’t get best musical. Due to Into The Woods being my fav musical I’ve always held a grudge against phantom but also despite the grudge I still find phantom a pretty lackluster show and super dull.
The show opened with Bernadette Peters, but Phylicia took over shortly after. I saw it with Phylicia - front row mezzanine. I'll never forget it. :-) I haven't seen anything as good since then.
I am so excited! There's a local community college in my state that's performing Into the Woods this weekend and maybe next weekend. Anyway, I get to see this tonight and I'm very excited!
As Frontrowcenter explained it was a mutual decision between her & the producers to not submit her name for Tony consideration given the fact she basically played the role as a favor to Sondheim & Lapine who had no one to open the show when they were just about ready to go into rehearsals.
With the exception of Rashad, this is indeed the entire OBC. They look slightly different from the video we're used to because this telecast was about 2 years prior to when they filmed it (hence why Ferland looks so much younger). An unbeatable OBC.
True, but the majority of the original cast is there, and they're all awesome in their own right. Also, Phylicia Rashad did a good job, Bernadette's shoes are hard to fill.
That witch is Felisha Reshad... Or Claire Huxtable from THE COSBY SHOW... I saw her in a production of it reviving her role as the witch... She surpassed Peter's witch by far!!!
I was always under the impression that this was a prepackaged video montage. In order to accommodate that set, they would have had to fit the TONY stage with the right tracks and lifts, which for such a brief performance just doesn't seem feasible. If you watch the TONY peformance for "Beauty and the Beast", I think they did the same thing.
Most of the prosthetics are part of a mask. Her beautiful face was already made up under the mask. In the production the outfit is always something that turns around or a large cloak thrown off. They have it down to a science.
Simone Farber Remember the previous Stephen Sondheim musical adaptation, Which was Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd movie. I hope the Into the Woods movie will be just as good and not end up as a critical disappointment like that awful animated King and I remake from the former Disney loser who directed those crappy Swan Princess movies.
Phylicia Rashad did a pretty good job playing the Witch for ITW. Yes, it's not like Bernadette Peters (love her, wonderful actress/singer). But Rashad brought her own style and it worked for her. I know everyone has their favorite to iconic Broadway roles, but sometimes others too contribute their talents to make the role even greater.
Yes, that version is better due in part to the fact that she's in it, but this versiion is great, too. Also, Jack's hat is better in that version. Yes, I care about something as miniscule to everyone else as a hat.
ummm, I accidentally clicked subtitles and there was a bunch of random sentences like, "Even from highland games but I'm a Krakow" Did that happen to anyone else on this video or is it just my computer?
Ten years ago I saw the OBC video recording here on CZcams. I enjoyed the first act more then the second act. I felt too bad for the characters to enjoy the whole show how they didn't get the happy ending they originally wanted. At least I like Children Will Listen
As the Frontrowcenter blog explained it was a mutual decision between her & the producers to not submit her name for Tony consideration given the fact she basically played the role as a favor to Sondheim and Lapine who had no one to open the show when they were just about ready to go into rehearsals.
I love that in 1988 they pretty much said "screw it" and threw the entire show into the tv excerpt.
But someone who hadn't seen or heard about it from that could think it was a very happy and have no clue all the characters that die or are maimed.
True; yet if you thought Sondheim made a purely kid-friendly musical when you took your kids you did not do your homework!
Yea I saw it when I was really young but I loved it!
Simone Farber I disagree that it's not kid-friendly. Kids are far more capable of dealing with dark matter than people give them credit for.
Best comment! So true.
Angela Lansbury narrating Into the Woods is about as perfect a pairing as I can think of.
I'm ready for a revival with her as the narrator.
@@charlieinfinite9434 but the Narrator must be the Baker's Father/Mysterious Man. So....
@@davilopes1663 I thought of that before making my statement. It is esily swapped with mother.
@@charlieinfinite9434 is not so easy. The changes would be in the music too. Like the Witches Rap "You father cried you mother DIED" things like this.
@@davilopes1663 Your mother cried, your father died. We can make it work. There's always a way - this is theatre!
You have to admire how much they squeezed in to a couple of minutes!
That's show biz.
Welcome to Into To The Woods shoved into 5 minutes..
the very last "I wish" that cinderella sings at the end gives me chills. Every. Time.
I love if that what u means cause I can't stop going back to see it
I’m in a production of into the woods and they gave that line to our narrator and I love my director so much but I do not believe that is quite as good of a choice because I think if it’s Cinderella it shows that we never stop wishing and even once we get what we want we still have wishes
@@willbaggett2543 It also links the end back to the beginning
Why
This musical, in my humble opinion, it one of the greatest musicals of all time. I saw it in 7th grade theatre class and I remember it so vividly. The music is, I have no words, its incredible to say the least. Plus, the dialogue and performances are hilarious.
I saw it when it first ran on Broadway in the late 1980s and I loved it but Sondheim has better shows- especially Sweeney Todd which I saw around the same time in a revival at Lincoln Center.
I think it's one of the worst.
Chicago is the greatest musical of all time!!!
Welcome to Into The Woods: The Cliff Notes Edition
What's interesting is that this was ALL pre recorded on the original Broadway set, up until the point Phylicia finishes her phrase "Children Will Listen", then it is live on the Tony Awards stage when Joanna starts singing "Careful the things you do..." They made a GREAT transition! You'd never notice.
You're right. Cinderella's change from peasant to ballgown is far too fast to be live.
Woah the first thing that tipped me off was Joanna’s makeup looked different.
@@ellisgage yeah I was about to ask if they did the Tonys at the Martin Beck
Theatre that year because the set was identical.
Thanks, interesting info
Angela's sleeves deserve a Tony.
Hear! Hear!
Nicholas Carroll YES
“Careful the tale you tell, that is the spell.” Chills every time!!!
This musical is all right but I just love the song by itself. Children Will Listen perhaps the first song by Stephen Sondheim that vividly comes to mind when I think of his reputation as a Broadway legend.
Whoever directed that did a great job. The entire musical in four minutes.
James Lapine!! Without him writing the wonderful book for this musical and directing it along with Sunday In The Park With George, and Passion stephen sondheim's last to 3 musicals wouldn't have made their legacy without him on the team.
Why are everyone's cheekbones so intense
Haven't you heard? All fairy tale characters have killer cheekbones
1988. That’s why.
Because late 80s
And the whitest of white teeth.
I never noticed this... now I will never un-notice it. 😳
Lovely little known fact: Cinderella and Prince Charming/The Wolf are married in real life and have three children
Neat! :D
To live in the late 80's and early 90's in NYC was probably the best times to experience these Broadway stories.
pallafox
yes, this was the golden era
Still kind of angry that I can't marry Robert Westenberg. I keed!
Cheyenne Printup i live in NYC i would love to have lived in the 80's or 90's
there is also those nasty camera looks soo
Into the Woods: Condensed Version
I know this is the condensed version, but I really enjoy seeing all the characters on stage taking part of the prologue.
Phylicia Rashad as the witch......Yes.
Little red riding hood comes out of nowhere.
Yes
So did the wolf
I saw this exact cast on Broadway and my heart swelled. Thank you to brilliant Stephen Sondheim and to this incredible company.
Basically the entire first act in 5 minutes! Great!
Phylicia made a beautiful witch. I saw the show on Broadway with this cast including phylicia. I was 19. I will never forget it. Fourth row left orchestra !
Into The Woods is one of the greatest Broadway shows, and there's literally a part for everyone. It's definitely one of my personal favorites. I was singing along to every word, and I can't help but to smile and get chills every time I watch this.
Can we just have a comment section about Chip Zein in every musical he's in.
Man I wish Bernadette Peters was at this award night
why wasn't she?
Ken Graham dunno
She had already left the show by this point. Tony performances are almost always the current Broadway cast. Many say her early exit is what cost her the Tony.
Garmuncle
I always wondered why Bernadette was not nominated for Into the Woods.
+lru she awarded Gleeson her tony.
"Bernie" had left the show by the time the Tony Awards occurred. She was at the Tony's but chose not to perform the "Woods" number. She ended up presenting the Tony to Joanna Gleason for Best Actress in a Musical.
I remember my parents went to see Into the Woods with Phylicia Rashad, while I stayed home with Grandma, lol. I watched the film version over and over again later, loved it of course. It's so interesting to finally see Phylicia take on the character!
I just realized Chip Zien has dem cheekbones.
A couple of Sweeney Todd alums were in the original cast: Merle Louise (the Beggar Woman) was the Giantess and Cinderella's Mother, and Edmund Lyndeck (Judge Turpin) was Cinderella's Father. (Huh. How about that. The Judge got to be with Lucy after all.)
I was a little misled by this clip--this and an early TV commercial. Both made the show look like a lighthearted fractured-fairy-tale romp. I think that was why, at the age of 16 listening to the album for the first time, I was so floored by the dark turns the plot took. It wasn't until later that I realized that Stephen Sondheim wasn't messing with happy fairy tale endings just to be a jerk--he wanted to show that each of the characters had acted thoughtlessly, immorally, or irresponsibly, and that their actions had consequences.
Jennifer Schillig Also the actress who played Little Red was also in Sunday in the Park with George and the revival of A Little Night Music.
Merle Louise also played Granny :)
I heard the actress who played Johanna eventually went on to play the witch
I love Angela Lansbury being the narrator! She's perf!
They literally fit the whole damn show in five minutes 😂
when you realise that the Baker's Wife is Rachel Green's boss from Friends lmao
Omg I always wondered why she looked so familiar and couldn’t figure it out until now 🤯
The last “I Wish..” always gives me chills!
I find this performance is impressive with all of the quick changes and scene changes. Geezaloo I guess that's one of the challenges of theater. Love it
PHYLICIA RASHAD. that is all.
I love love love Bernadette as the witch forever, but I honestly wish I could see a bit more of Phylicia Rashad in the role. ... although I find it hard to believe Rapunzel would've been letting princes up her hair if Claire Huxtable were her mom...
who else loved the last I wish from cinderella
I don't because I felt too bad with her being bored with running a kingdom and being cheated on by her prince.
Anyone else in love with the set? Oh my god. Haha
Ugh, to have been alive and able to see this in real time🥺😍🤩
Into the woods in 4:00 minutes: GO!
Oh to have seen this on Broadway when it opened!!!
I know!
That was awesome. I watched the Disney version recently with my daughter. I had never heard of the story before. Now I cant get the songs out of my head. I love it! Gonna buy the dvd. Into the woods! Into the woods!
i know peters is peters but i like this witch bye
i agree
she was also 'off' a lot - and actually much of the audience preferred Joy Frantz (seen here as Cinderella's mother) who was Peters' cover, and played during her vacations. At least she wasn't late to every f*cking note like Peters :-)
you mean Cinderella's stepmother?
Anjo Malunes that's a good !!!😁😅
I saw both. Bernadette was SOOO much better!
This musical is 35 years old this year
Into the woods has some really funny moments of dark humor so I'm a little skeptical about Disney's version.
SO TRUE!!!!!
Truth be told, the glue to the story is the Baker's Wife. She is the glue and the secret to pulling off this production. No good wife = bad production
Rob Marshall's a great director of movie - musicals...he did Chicago, and that was an awesome adaptation. The thing that will make or break the Disney version is whether or not they let Rapunzel live. There was talk at the beginning of production that Rapunzel wouldn't die to make it less scary. However, Rapunzel's death makes the Witch a sympathetic character, so if she lives they'll be making a huge mistake.
Not so much for me. Disney has done very dark material before. Even murder and death (Bambi and the Lion King come to mind). It's the Adultery and infidelity that worry me. Because those themes also play a huge role in the show.
SirJedi Consular What's miraculous is that Disney is planning on cutting the death of Rapunzel instead of the infidelity - I'm not one for changing the storyline at all in this show, because it's brilliant and everything pieces together perfectly. I'm pretty sure I saw a little moment with Emily Blunt and Chris Pine though, so I'm under the impression that the show is still rife with infidelity. I don't necessarily think getting rid of the infidelity would change the story for those characters as much as Rapunzel's death changes the Witch though.
Bernadette Peters wasn't in this performance because she was busy for most of the show's run starring in Slaves of New York. She came back, however, for the 1991 PBS special. I don't know why they cast Meryl Streep as the Witch in the new movie, but, she might be good.
Streep is a MUCH bigger ox office deal than Peters, and she showed decent musical chops in "Mama Mia," which made mucho bucks.
Ms Streep is a great actress. Peters is not.
Nick Mayor Gee. you are a bigger idiot than I thought. You know nothing about Broadway divas!
Andrew McNamara Yeah, Meryl Streep is certainly a screen legend but Bernadette Peters is one of the biggest broadway legends of our time, and is considered the master performer of the work of Stephen Sondheim. I think Streep will do great in the role of the Witch, but there's no sense comparing her to Bernadette, who really has no comparison.
Well said. I can't believe this conversation has gone on since January.
I like that they had Lansbury play the narrator
Since Into The Woods got the awards for Best Book and Best Original Score, it could have won Best Musical.
...why did Phantom of the Opera have to open that year as well?
I will forever be bitter about this. I have so much hatred for Phantom already but Into the Woods is far superior.
shannon patota Why so much hatred for Phantom?
Phantom is not even half the musical into the woods is, and Into the Woods should have cleaned up at the Tony's, I'm mean it won best, book, score, and leading actress, best musical was expected, phantom just did not deserve it.
I found it strange that Into The Woods won those important awards and yet somehow didn’t get best musical. Due to Into The Woods being my fav musical I’ve always held a grudge against phantom but also despite the grudge I still find phantom a pretty lackluster show and super dull.
Because phantom would sell better for touring productions
Great musical. And Angela Lansubry was 63 here. Looking good!
Thanks for posting this. Saw this show about a week before the Tony's. Phylicia Rashad was a very good Witch.
I love Chip's voice.😻
My friends and I were lucky enough to see the OBC. Such an experience! 🥰
wait Phylicia Rashad was in this production! I've only seen the BernieP version! That's friggin sweet
The show opened with Bernadette Peters, but Phylicia took over shortly after. I saw it with Phylicia - front row mezzanine. I'll never forget it. :-) I haven't seen anything as good since then.
I am so excited! There's a local community college in my state that's performing Into the Woods this weekend and maybe next weekend. Anyway, I get to see this tonight and I'm very excited!
2:36-2:41. The fastest costume change I have ever seen
Grace Cho that part was actually filmed
Having Paul MCartney introduce Into the Woods in this clips looks so delightful.
May you rest in peace, Angela ❤️
i do love this movie and the stage show
I have not seen the movie,but have seen the original musical,it was fantastic.
I miss Into The Woods...
Well, we're all in the woods now....
Mrs. Huxtable, what are you doing?
How can you not love this?
i love this song
After listening to the soundtrack for the movie, i have high hopes for it to be good. Meryl Streep sounds phenomenal.
Can't stand Meryl Streep any more.
As Frontrowcenter explained it was a mutual decision between her & the producers to not submit her name for Tony consideration given the fact she basically played the role as a favor to Sondheim & Lapine who had no one to open the show when they were just about ready to go into rehearsals.
The Mysterious Man following Jack has got to be the best part of this. It's at about 2:17
Excited for the movie
Cant believe how cinderella changed into her gown, curled her hair, did her makeup in 3.0 secs
Welcome to show business!
holy crap! Is that Phylicia Rashad? I didn't know she was in this! so cool!
She was horrid. And couldn't sing the role. And she looked like the Bride of Frankenstein.
She wasn't, it was the divine Bernadette Peters, who just couldn't be there for the Tony's that night and so Rashad filled in for her.
***** Bernadette Peters had left the production by Tony time, and Phylicia Rashad was one of the replacements..
Ah, I wasn't aware. Either way, though I adore Phylicia Rashad as an actress, she's nowhere near the singer that Bernadette Peters is.
Nick Mayor well dont blame her, blame the makeup amd costume design team. Lol
4:46. Baker: Taps his wife because she kinda forgot the next step. They took it very well though! The show must go on!
With the exception of Rashad, this is indeed the entire OBC. They look slightly different from the video we're used to because this telecast was about 2 years prior to when they filmed it (hence why Ferland looks so much younger). An unbeatable OBC.
I'm watching this in 2015...
I'm surprised they didn't throw "Giants in the Sky" somewhere in there
I loved this when it was shown on PBS playhouse...and Bernadette Peters played the witch!
That's my TV Mom! ❤
Iiked it about everything about it
True, but the majority of the original cast is there, and they're all awesome in their own right. Also, Phylicia Rashad did a good job, Bernadette's shoes are hard to fill.
That witch is Felisha Reshad... Or Claire Huxtable from THE COSBY SHOW... I saw her in a production of it reviving her role as the witch... She surpassed Peter's witch by far!!!
Uh, no. Not even close.
How did Cinderella change so fast
Magic!
it was a decoy, as was the wolf.
I was always under the impression that this was a prepackaged video montage. In order to accommodate that set, they would have had to fit the TONY stage with the right tracks and lifts, which for such a brief performance just doesn't seem feasible. If you watch the TONY peformance for "Beauty and the Beast", I think they did the same thing.
i think they did the same for sunday in the park with george too
I'm sure that part was pre-filmed so the could have stopped to let her change.
And how do they change the witch make up in such a short time
That’s amazing, it’s like only 1min and 30 sec
Most of the prosthetics are part of a mask. Her beautiful face was already made up under the mask. In the production the outfit is always something that turns around or a large cloak thrown off. They have it down to a science.
when you dont have time to watch the full play
Omg! Mr Huxtable as the witch! I did not know that!
❤ Angela
Aw previews are fun
MRS POTTS
I can't wait for Disney's upcoming film adaptation of this musical.
It's going to break my heart but I'll be there opening weekend.
Simone Farber Is it because it comes out on Christmas Day?
Alex McGillvrey I'm afraid they're gonna drown it in unnecessary creature /CGI effects (like Alice in Wonderland) or worse, change the ending.
Simone Farber Well, they got the play's original writer writing the screenplay, so I'm not worried about that part.
Simone Farber Remember the previous Stephen Sondheim musical adaptation, Which was Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd movie. I hope the Into the Woods movie will be just as good and not end up as a critical disappointment like that awful animated King and I remake from the former Disney loser who directed those crappy Swan Princess movies.
This awsome but where is bernadette
Anyone know how they do the chair levitation? I get the feeling the Baker's Wife helps out with it as she always stands really close to the chair.
Phylicia Rashad did a pretty good job playing the Witch for ITW. Yes, it's not like Bernadette Peters (love her, wonderful actress/singer). But Rashad brought her own style and it worked for her. I know everyone has their favorite to iconic Broadway roles, but sometimes others too contribute their talents to make the role even greater.
If phantom of the opera was nominated any other year this would have won hands down
pretty cool
They should change the title to "Mrs. Pots narrates into the woods in less than 5 minutes.
Yes, that version is better due in part to the fact that she's in it, but this versiion is great, too. Also, Jack's hat is better in that version. Yes, I care about something as miniscule to everyone else as a hat.
I did not see the Broadway hit, but I loved Johnny Depp as the Wolf...especially when he was "grandmother."
ummm, I accidentally clicked subtitles and there was a bunch of random sentences like, "Even from highland games but I'm a Krakow" Did that happen to anyone else on this video or is it just my computer?
Lmaooo
nice philesha looks very pretty
Ten years ago I saw the OBC video recording here on CZcams. I enjoyed the first act more then the second act. I felt too bad for the characters to enjoy the whole show how they didn't get the happy ending they originally wanted. At least I like Children Will Listen
Is it just me or is this incredibly chaotic
to make a 2 hour show to 5 mins.. yeah
Is the witch the same who acted in hansel and gretel canon movie tales from the 80s?
I thought Bernadette Peters was in the original cast.
She was but she left before the tonys’
As the Frontrowcenter blog explained it was a mutual decision between her & the producers to not submit her name for Tony consideration given the fact she basically played the role as a favor to Sondheim and Lapine who had no one to open the show when they were just about ready to go into rehearsals.
Is that Phylicia Rashad playing the witch!??
Yes, it is she. The one and only.