This musical is truly an odd one indeed. It appeared as a musical on the big screen in 2014. This one is of particular interest since it has been selected as the musical for my children's participation next summer (2018). It made its stage debut in the mid-1980s. Our family has viewed this musical in three different formats: one, junior high stage; two, high school stage; and three, on the theatrical version in 2014.
In case you haven't seen this one, try to image a combination (literally) of story lines from Cinderella, Jack and Bean Stock (including a giant or two), Rapunzel (and a witch), Little Red Riding Hood (with a wolf), and a baker and his wife (childless). How odd a combination.
So what drives the plot? What would you do if what you wished for came true? Would you still make that wish? What about everyone else too? Try throwing all theses plot lines together in one big musical. And oh by the way, the setting is in the woods (hence, the name for the musical).
Just for review. Let's go over the plots again. Cinderella: wicked step-mother with two snotty step-sisters and Cinderella in a house together. The prince holds a ball and they all want to go. Cinderella too. Girl meet prince and they live happily ever after. Wrong!! Not in this musical. Just wait till you see it (if not already). There is a very similar twist with the others as well. Jack got some magic beans for his cow, threw them in the ground creating a bean stalk. He climbs it steals a harp and golden-egg laying goose, and finally, chops down the bean stalk and kills the giants who falls down. Red riding hood is going to grandmas house with some goodies in a basket. Meets a roof along the way who is later at grandma's house (full with big teeth, eyes, and ears). He proceeds to eat grandma and Red. Woodsman comes in and saves the day. No more wolf.
Well, let's move on to the issues. For an unbeliever, it may be no big deal, but morality and ethics matter. More importantly, the source or foundation for ethical and moral decision making is paramount. In this film (musical), morality and ethics are almost are relative as you can imagine. In fact, the individual person sets their own rules of good and evil (while in the woods).
Its hard to say too much without ruining the plot and ending. The focus of the movie is the baker and his wife wanting a child. Their home however is cursed and childless because his dad stole some magic beans (hint, hint) from a witch, who just happened to take the baker's sister as a child and lock her in a tower (she just happens to have long hair and a familiar name). The witch tells them they can have a child if they are willing to gather some items for her within a three day period: A cape, red as blood; hair, yellow as corn; a milky white cow; and and a golden slipper (not glass). You can see now where all these plot lines will cross paths.
The musical changes scenes as the baker and his wife interact with these other plots. This includes lying, cheating, stealing, or whatever it takes to give these items to the witch so they can have a child (supposedly removing the curse). The latter half of the musical expands on the lack of morality as expressed "in the woods." This includes blaming others, more deception, death, infidelity, and of course more deception.
Thoughts and comments as always encouraged.
Discernment is needed with all musicals and every form of cultural engagement.
