Happy Now, Happy Hence: Stephen Sondheim Releases Statement About Into the Woods: 'It Is a First-Rate Movie'

Stephen Sondheim has clarified his view on the upcoming Into the Woods movie. The legendary composer has released a statement in response to the vehement reaction to a piece that ran in The New Yorker that revealed differences between the stage and screen versions.

The composer says that he, alongside the show’s book writer and film’s screenwriter James Lapine, worked out every change with movie director Rob Marshall, and having seen a full rough cut, can call the film not only “a faithful adaptation,” but also a “first-rate movie.” 

"An article in The New Yorker misreporting my 'Master Class' conversation about censorship in our schools with 17 teachers from the Academy for Teachers a couple of weeks ago has created some false impressions about my collaboration with the Disney Studio on the film version of Into the Woods," Sondheim said in the statement. "The fact is that James (Lapine, who wrote both the show and the movie) and I worked out every change from stage to screen with the producers and with Rob Marshall, the director. Despite what the New Yorker article may convey, the collaboration was genuinely collaborative and always productive. When the conversation with the teachers occurred, I had not yet seen a full rough cut of the movie. Coincidentally, I saw it immediately after leaving the meeting and, having now seen it a couple of times, I can happily report that it is not only a faithful adaptation of the show, it is a first-rate movie. And for those who care, as the teachers did, the Prince’s dalliance is still in the movie, and so is 'Any Moment.'"

Yes, "Any Moment" is in there. And Sondheim is happy. If he's happy, so are we. Right? Call off your curses!

Into the Woods will be in theaters on December 25.