Into the woods wolf costume 1987

In the mid 1980’s Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine set out to write Into the Woods, a “quest” musical that would intertwine the characters and narratives of classic fairy tales with a contemporary underpinning.

By excavating the often overlooked darker aspects and implications (the ones you don’t see in the Disney versions), Sondheim and Lapine reintroduced audiences to the bedtime stories they heard as children—only this time Cinderella, Little Red and the charming Prince were tangled in confusion, conflict, sexual tension and ethical dilemmas.

While these fairy tale characters navigated unfamiliar emotional territory, they were instantly recognizable to audiences thanks to the detailed costume designs of Ann Hould-Ward, who collaborated with Lapine and Sondheim just a few years prior when she translated the pointillistic art of George Seurat into wearable fashion for Sunday in the Park With George.

This year marks 30 years since Into the Woods premiered at the Old