document_title: The Bodyguard (musical)

question_text: who plays whitney houston in the bodyguard musical

text: The Bodyguard (musical)

text: Background[edit]

text: The musical is based on the 1992 film The Bodyguard which starred and featured songs by Whitney Houston.[2][3] The show was officially confirmed in February 2012 and following six years of development, producers confirmed the show would play London's Adelphi Theatre from November 2012.[4][5][6][7] Costing around five million pounds to produce[8] the show is written by Alexander Dinelaris, produced by Michael Harrison and David Ian[9] directed by Thea Sharrock, set and costumes are designed by Tim Hatley, with lighting by Mark Henderson, sound by Richard Brooker, video projection by Duncan McLean,[10] choreography by Arthur Pita,[11] musical arrangements, orchestrations and underscore by Chris Egan[12]

text: The show's book by Alexander Dinelaris brings the story forward to present day[13] and changes the focus of the story to bring the character of Rachel Marron to the forefront rather than the bodyguard.[14] The script adapted from the original screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan[15] also expands the role of Rachel Marron's sister Nicki.[16] The stage musical like the original film features music by Whitney Houston[17] which in addition to the original movie soundtrack[18] adds the following additional Houston tracks So Emotional, One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love for You, I'm Your Baby Tonight, How Will I Know,[19] Oh Yes, All the Man That I Need, All at Once and I Wanna Dance with Somebody.[18][20]

text: Following Whitney Houston's death the show's star Heather Headley considered withdrawing from the role of Rachel Marron originated by Houston in the film.[21] She later said "You don't want people to compare you to Whitney. I didn't want it before and especially not now after her passing. I want people to come in and say this is Heather's version - this is Heather playing Rachel Marron and singing Whitney songs. I am always trying to find a way to make them my own but still acknowledge and keep the integrity of her music."[5]

text: Synopsis (current version)[edit]

text: Act One[edit]

text: Rachel Marron is one of the most famous singers around but is unaware that a stalker has been sending her deranged and disturbing death threats. She continues to perform while her manager searches for a bodyguard that can protect her ("Queen of the Night"). Frank Farmer is a former Secret Service Agent hired to serve as Rachel's bodyguard. Frank manages to get into Rachel's mansion without needing any clearance and explains that security needs to be heightened, but Rachel is oblivious to her stalkers threatening notes and believes that she is perfectly safe. Frank watches as Rachel rehearses one of her songs with her young ten-year-old son Fletcher ("How Will I Know"). Afterward, Frank is introduced to Rachel's existing bodyguard, Tony, who believes that he is good enough and that Rachel doesn't need Frank to protect her.

text: Rachel works on a new song with her sister, Nikki ("Greatest Love of All"). Meanwhile, Frank equips Rachel's mansion with security, and Fletcher imprints on him, looking up to Frank as a fatherly figure. Rachel sees them interacting and goes up to Frank and tells him that she does not want him to interact with her or her family. Frank leaves for the night to see Nikki perform at a small club. After performing, Nikki sits down with Frank and shares a drink with him. She tells him about her childhood band, and that after Rachel joined it became clear that there could only be one singer in the family. Frank gives a chilly Nikki his coat, and Nikki flirts with him, hoping to begin a romantic relationship with him ("Saving All My Love for You").

text: Sy, Rachel's music producer, pressures an angry Rachel to perform at a nightclub called the Mayan. Rachel ignores him and angrily vents about Frank, who won't let her go to Sunday Brunch. Frank tells Rachel that she can't do anything that she's normally done, like weekly Sunday Brunch. Rachel asks Frank if she can perform at the Mayan, but Frank tells her that it is too dangerous. In an effort to anger Frank, Rachel tells Sy to book the show at the Mayan.

text: The night of the show at the Mayan approaches and Rachel's stalker prepares to kill her. Rachel arrives at the Mayan to find a death threat in her dressing room. Frank reveals to Rachel that this isn't the first note and that a stalker is trying to kill her. Frank tells Rachel that they should leave, but Rachel declines, explaining that she doesn't want to be a coward. Rachel gets on stage and performs, but the stalker comes on stage and almost stabs her, before being thrown off stage by Frank. Frank swoops Rachel up into his arms and runs out of the club with her, saving her from death. ("Mayan Medley"). Back at home, both Rachel and Nikki wonder about their feelings for Frank ("Run To You").

text: Rachel begins to be more cautious and asks Frank out on a date since she can't leave the house unless he's with her. Frank reluctantly agrees, and the two go to a small karaoke bar, where a group of college girls performs a hilarious and broken rendition of "Where Do Broken Hearts Go". Rachel tries to figure out Frank's life and says that if she gets him figured out then he has to sing. Frank agrees and Rachel guesses incorrectly, but Frank decides to sing anyway. He goes up to the stage and sings a shaky rendition of "I Will Always Love You". Rachel goes up after him and surprises the audience as they realize that she is the real Rachel Marron. Rachel proclaims her love for Frank and the two embrace and share a passionate kiss ("I Have Nothing").

text: Act Two[edit]

text: Rachel wakes up in bed next to a sleeping Frank, presumably after sex. Nikki sees this and grows jealous of her sister. Soon afterwards, Rachel works on a new song in the recording studio ("All the Man That I Need").

text: Frank later gets a call from his employer that he needs to break off his relationship with Rachel, explaining that the stalker followed them to the karaoke bar and stole Rachel's scarf. Frank tells Rachel that he was reckless and can't be romantically involved with a "client". Rachel is extremely mad and storms off. Frank comforts a troubled Fletcher by giving him a clearance badge for the night of the Oscars. Frank then leaves with Rachel for a benefit concert in Miami, Florida, where Rachel performs a splendid routine ("I'm Every Woman").

text: Frank checks in with the temporary bodyguard who is watching Nikki and Fletcher. Everything is presumably fine, but Frank is unaware that the temporary bodyguard is actually the stalker. The stalker tells Fletcher that he needs help with Rachel's "present", and Fletcher eagerly goes to help him. Nikki sits in her room thinking about her unrequited love for Frank, but upon going inside Fletcher's room she sees that he has disappeared and in his place on the bed is one of Rachel's dresses, stolen from her dressing room ("All at Once"). Nikki calls Frank and Rachel and they return home from Miami. Fletcher is alright, but the stalker took his clearance badge for the Oscars. Realizing that her son and sister are in as much danger as she is, Rachel tells Frank that she will do whatever he says if it will keep them protected. Frank has Rachel cancel the rest of her tour and the four of them travel to Frank's deceased parent's cabin ("Run to You (Reprise)"). Frank confides in Rachel that this cabin holds lots of memories and that he misses his father and his mother, who he wishes he had spent more time with before they died. Frank watches happily as Rachel shares a tender moment with her sister and son ("Jesus Loves Me").

text: That night a drunken Nikki admits to Frank that she wrote to the stalker pretending to be Rachel in order to feel attention. Nikki now believes that it is her fault that all of this has happened, and Frank comforts her and promises to catch the stalker. Soon afterward the stalker breaks into the cabin and approaches Nikki. She believes that it's Frank, but screams in terror as the stalker fatally stabs her ("Nikki's Death"). Frank, Rachel and Fletcher run into the room and find Nikki on the ground. The stalker runs off and Frank chases after him, trying to shoot him down. Meanwhile, Rachel tries to keep her sister alive but weeps as she dies in her arms ("Jesus Loves Me (Reprise)").

text: Frank, Rachel and Fletcher return home. Frank comforts a fearful Fletcher and asks Rachel if she is still going to attend the Oscars. Rachel tells Frank about her and her sister's dream of winning an Oscar and decides to do it for her sister.

text: At the Oscars, Rachel performs "One Moment in Time" from the Oscar nominated film Queen of the Night that she co-wrote with Nikki. As she performs the stalker prepares to shoot her. Frank notices just in time and jumps in front of Rachel. He gets shot, and Rachel holds him in her arms, uttering the famous line, "Let him go, he's my bodyguard!".

text: Frank returns to the mansion sometime later, still recovering from a shot to the arm. Frank shares a tender goodbye with Fletcher and Rachel, who kisses him goodbye as they presumably go on another tour with a new bodyguard ("I Will Always Love You").

text: Encore[edit]

text: After the final bows, the entire cast returns on stage to perform a spectacular rendition of the song "I Wanna Dance With Somebody".

text: Productions[edit]

text: West End (2012–2014)[edit]

text: The Bodyguard's premiere production opened in London's West End on 5 December 2012, following previews at the Adelphi Theatre from 6 November 2012.[22] The production which initially was booking until April 2013,[23] opening cast included Grammy and Tony Award winner Heather Headley as Rachel Marron, Lloyd Owen as Frank Farmer and Debbie Kurup as Nicki Marron. Ray Shell created the role of DEVANEY, Rachel Marron's manager.[24] A month after opening with advance sales of more than four million pounds[25] booking was extended until 28 September 2013.[26] Headley departed the show at the start of August[27] with her alternate Gloria Onitiri[28] taking over the role short term until 7 September 2013.[29] From 9 September the show's first major cast change took place with soul artist Beverley Knight taking over the role of Rachel Marron and Tristan Gemmill as Frank Farmer.[30] The show initially extended to March after Knight took over but later extended booking to 30 August 2014.[31] In March 2014, producers announced that The X Factor winner Alexandra Burke would take over from Knight on 2 June.[32][33] A typical London performance runs two hours and 25 minutes, including one interval of 20 mins.[34]

text: The show closed at the Adelphi Theatre on 29 August 2014,[35][36] to make way for Made in Dagenham[37] having come to the end of its contract with the theatre.[38] Producers had explored the option of transferring to the nearby Aldwych Theatre, but as the venue had 350 less seats they decided against moving.[39] Commenting on the closure, producer Michael Harrison said, “We always knew we would have to leave the Adelphi to make way for another show and we looked at length for an alternative theatre as the business has been phenomenal. The only other theatre we could have moved to, and we rang more numbers than you could imagine, had 300 less seats. It’s a big show, there are nearly 30 people in the company, a 10-piece orchestra, automation, more computers and technical staff than you can imagine, so it can’t just run cheap and cheerfully like certain other West End shows.”[38]

text: UK, Ireland and Monaco Tour (2015–2016)[edit]

text: A tour of the United Kingdom commenced at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton in February 2015.[40] Producers created a new set for the touring production and added a new Whitney Houston song, Million Dollar Bill.[41] The tour visited Glasgow, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Wolverhampton, Stoke-on-Trent, Bradford, Cardiff, Plymouth, Dublin, Bristol, Birmingham, Southend, Edinburgh, Nottingham, Sheffield, Oxford, Manchester, and Eastbourne.[42][43] Alexandra Burke reprised her role as Rachel Marron from the West End production, with Pop Idol and Thriller – Live actress Zoe Birkett playing the role at matinee performances for the first half of the tour.[44] Stuart Reid played Frank Farmer. After Zoe Birkett left the production, singer Carole Stennett played Rachel Marron at the matinee performances for the remainder of the tour. After its final performance in the United Kingdom, the tour was transferred to Monaco for a limited engagement from 23 to 26 June 2016 at the Grimaldi Forum.[45]

text: Netherlands (2015–2017)[edit]

text: The first non-English production had its first try-out on 12 September 2015, in the Netherlands. The show currently plays at the Utrecht Beatrix Theater and had its premiere on the 27 September. This production uses all-new costume, set, lighting and sound designs (sound design by Gareth Owen) and includes the new song that was also included in the UK and Ireland tour.[46]

text: Singer Romy Monteiro, who competed in the 2014 season of The Voice of Holland, was cast as Rachel Marron,[47] with the role of Frank Farmer shared by Dutch actors Mark van Eeuwen and Dave Mantel. On 25 January 2016, producers announced actor Miro Kloosterman had joined the cast. From mid-February 2016 to January 2017, he shared the role of Frank Farmer with Van Eeuwen and Mantel.[48]

text: Carolina Dijkuizen portrayed the role of Rachel's sister, Nicki Marron, until September 2016, after which singer Nurlaila Karim took over the role.

text: April Darby alternates the role of Rachel Marron with Monteiro, while understudies Samantha Klots and Tjindjara Metschendorp portray the role when both singers are unable to perform. In February 2017 Samantha Klots left the show and was replaced by Anne Apello as understudy Rachel Marron/Backing Vocal. In March 2017 Talita Angwarmasse joined the cast as alternate Rachel Marron.

text: The other main cast includes Nickelodeon presenter Patrick Martens and actor Ferry Doedens alternating the role of Sy Spector, Ruurt de Maesschalck and Mike Ho Sam Sooi alternating as Bill Devaney, model and actor Bram Blankestijn als The Stalker, Zjon Smaal as Tony Scibelli and Robbert van den Bergh as Ray Court (who, in this version, is slightly based on the character Spencer Reid from Criminal Minds). Roy Kullick assumed the role of Ray Court on 25 July 2016. Paul Donkers took over the role of Tony Scibelli at the end of September 2016. Donkers will leave the show again in May 2017, after which Zjon Smaal will return to portray Tony Scibelli until the final performance.

text: The show closed at the Beatrix Theatre on 16 July 2017. The sets and costumes were shipped to Madrid to be used for the Spanish production.

text: Cologne (2015–2017)[edit]

text: In November 2015 Bodyguard made its German debut in the Musical Dome in Cologne. The show ran until 2017 before moving to Stuttgart.[49]

text: German singer and actress Patricia Meeden, who was a contestant of The Voice of Germany plays the role of Rachel Marron. Jürgen Fischer and alternately Jadran Malkovich portray Frank Farmer, and South African actress Tertia Botha plays Nicky Marron. The other main cast includes American musical actor Dennis Kozeluh as Bill Devaney, Jadran Malkovich as Sy Spector (Carsten Lepper is taking over as Sy Spector from March 2017), Tom Viehöfer as The Stalker, Christian Peter Hauser as Tony Scibelli and Michael Clauder as Ray Court.[50]

text: West End Revival (2016–2017)[edit]

text: Following completion of the first UK tour, the production was scheduled to transfer to the West End's Dominion Theatre which had been running the musical made from Queen songs, "We Will Rock You", from 15 July 2016,[51] booking for a limited run until 7 January 2017.[52] Beverley Knight will reprise her role as Rachel Marron and will be joined by Ben Richards as Frank Farmer.[53]

text: US Tour (2016–)[edit]

text: On 15 May 2015, producers announced that the show would make its North American Debut in the Fall of 2016 at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey for previews. The National Tour would launch from the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis and would star Grammy-nominated singer Deborah Cox as Rachel Marron, and Judson Mills as Frank Farmer.[54][55]

text: Seoul (2016–2017)[edit]

text: In December 2016, Bodyguard made its Korean debut in LG Arts Center in Seoul and it is first production in Far East country. The show will run until 5 March 2017.

text: Korean actress Jung Sun Ah, Korean Singer Yangpa and Son Seung Yeon will play the role of Rachel Marron. Lee Jong Hyuk and Park Sung Woong portray Frank Farmer and Choi Hyun Sun plays Nicki Marron. The other main cast includes Han Dong Gyu as Bill Devaney, Lim Ki Hong as Sy Spector, Lee Yool The Stalker, Jeon Jae Hyeon as Tony Scibelli and Kim Dae Ryeong as Ray Court. Fletcher will be played by Yoon Felix, Moon Seo Yoon and Lee Tae Kyung.[56]

text: Toronto (2017)[edit]

text: Producers announced that Beverley Knight will play the role of Rachel in the Toronto production. Rachel John confirmed that the entire London Revival Cast will transfer with Beverley Knight. The production played a short limited engagement from February 11 2017 through April 9 2017 at the Ed Mirvish Theatre.[57]

text: Australia (2017–)[edit]

text: On 9 October 2016, producers confirmed that the Australian tour of the musical would begin in Sydney on 21 April 2017 at the Lyric Theatre before moving on to Brisbane in July and Melbourne in August. The lead role will be played by Paulini,[58] while Kip Gamblin will portray Frank Farmer.[59]

text: Madrid (2017–)[edit]

text: A Spanish production will open on 28 September 2017 at the Coliseum Theatre in Madrid, Spain, produced by Stage Entertainment and starring Fela Domínguez as Rachel Marron, Iván Sánchez and Maxi Iglesias alternating as Frank Farmer, Damaris Martínez as Nicki Marron, Armando Buika as Bill Devaney, Alberto Cañas as Tony Scibelli, Juan Bey as Sy Spector, Dani Tatay as the stalker, and Javier Martínez as Ray Court.[60][61] This version of the show will use the same new designs as the Dutch version.

text: Musical Numbers[edit]

text: Original London production[edit]

text:
Act I[20]

"Queen of the Night" - Rachel and Ensemble
"I'm Your Baby Tonight" - Rachel, Fletcher and Ensemble
"Oh Yes" - The Stalker and Rachel
"Saving All My Love" - Nicki
"Saving All My Love" (Reprise) - Nicki
"So Emotional" - Rachel, DJ and Ensemble
"Run to You" - Rachel and Nicki
"How Will I Know" - Karaoke Girls
"I Will Always Love You" - Frank
"I Have Nothing" - Rachel and Nicki

Act II[20]

"All the Man That I Need" - Rachel and Ensemble
"I'm Every Woman" - Rachel and Ensemble
"All at Once" - Nicki
"Jesus Loves Me" - Nicki, Fletcher and Rachel
"Jesus Loves Me" (Reprise) - Rachel and Ensemble
"One Moment in Time" - Rachel
"I Will Always Love You" (Reprise) - Rachel
"I Wanna Dance with Somebody" - Company

text: UK tour and international productions[edit]

text:
Act I[62]

"Queen of the Night" - Rachel and Ensemble
"How Will I Know" - Rachel, Fletcher and Ensemble
"Greatest Love of All - Rachel
"Saving All My Love" - Nicki
"Mayan Medley" - Rachel and Ensemble
"Run to You" - Rachel and Nicki
"Where Do Broken Hearts Go" - Karaoke Girls
"I Will Always Love You" - Frank
"I Have Nothing" - Rachel

Act II[62]

"All the Man That I Need" - Rachel and Ensemble
"I'm Every Woman" - Rachel and Ensemble
"All at Once" - Nicki
"Run to You" (Reprise) - Rachel
"Jesus Loves Me" - Fletcher, Nicki and Rachel
"Jesus Loves Me" (Reprise) - Ensemble
"One Moment in Time" - Rachel
"I Will Always Love You" (Reprise) - Rachel
"I Wanna Dance with Somebody" - Company

text: Orchestra[edit]

text: The musical uses a ten-member orchestra consisting of 3 keyboards, 2 guitars, bass guitar, drums, percussion, trumpet/flugel and woodwind (tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet & ewi).[63]

text: Principal roles and cast members[edit]

text:
Characters
Original West End cast[64][65][66]
Original UK tour cast
West End Revival cast
Original US tour cast
Original Dutch Cast

Rachel Marron
Heather Headley
Alexandra Burke
Beverley Knight
Deborah Cox
Romy Monteiro

Rachel Marron (alternate)
Gloria Onitiri
Zoe Birkett
Carole Stennett
Jasmin Richardson
April Darby

Frank Farmer
Lloyd Owen
Stuart Reid
Ben Richards
Judson Mills
Dave Mantel, Mark van Eeuwen, Miro Kloosterman

Bill Devaney
Ray Shell
Mensah Bediako
Mark Holden
Charles Gray
Ruurt de Maesschalck

Tony Scibelli
Nicolas Colicos
Siôn Lloyd
Alex Andreas
Alex Corrado
Zjon Smaal

The Stalker
Mark Letheren
Mike Denman
Matthew Stathers
Jorge Paniagua
Bram Blankestijn

Fletcher
Luis Buddy, Caius Duncombe, Jaydon Fowora Knight, Kwame Kandekore, Taylor Lockhart, Malaki Paul
Elliot Aubrey, Jhayheim Davis, Mark Jones, Xhanti Mbonzongwana, Chiesa Musonda, Seito Smith
Keaton Edmund, Max Fincham, Jaden Oshenye, Mickell Stewart-Grimes
Douglas Baldeo

Rory
David Page

Michael Wade-Peters

Sy Spector
Sean Chapman
Adam Venus
Dominic Taylor
Jonathan Hadley
Patrick Martens

Nicki Marron
Debbie Kurup
Melissa James
Rachel John
Jasmin Richardson
Carolina Dijkhuizen

Douglas
James Wooldbridge

Matthew Schmidt

Terry Minella
Robert Jezek

Ray Court
Oliver Le Sueur
Glen Fox
Glen Fox
Jarid Faubel
Robbert van den Bergh

Jimmy
Gil Kolirin

Charles Hagerty
Matthew Schmidt

Maria Ramirez
Janet Kumah
(character removed)
(character removed)
(character removed)

Herb Farmer
Mark McKerracher
(character removed)
(character removed)
(character removed)

Skip
James Wooldbridge

Charles Hagerty
Matthew Schmidt

text:
Rachel Marron –Gloria Onitiri,[27] Beverley Knight,[67] Alexandra Burke[68]
Rachel Marron (alternate) –Joelle Moses[69]
Frank Farmer – Tristan Gemmill[69]
Bill Devaney – Richard Lloyd King[69]
Tony Scibelli – Stephen Marcus[69]
The Stalker – Michael Rouse[69]
Sy Spector – Dominic Taylor[69]
Ray Court – Stuart Reid[69]

text: Critical reception[edit]

text: The West End performance of The Bodyguard has received generally positive reviews from critics. Paul Coltas of Time Out opens his critique on a positive: “There is surely an excruciatingly tacky musical adaptation of the Whitney Houston-starring romantic thriller 'The Bodyguard' to be made. But this is not it.”[70] Charles Spencer of The Daily Telegraph echoes Coltas’ initial reservations in the opening of his review but ultimately praises the director’s work (Thea Sharrock), saying “Her production, spectacularly and ingeniously designed by Tim Hatley, is far more enjoyable than the movie.”[71]

text: Libby Purves of The Times described it as giving “throbbing new life to that thin story, half gig, half thriller.” Best of Theatre commented on the stage adaptation saying “There is no denying that these songs really are some of the most energetic and catchy pop songs ever written and they have been cleverly weaved into the narrative of the musical”,[72] and London Theatre’s writer, Peter Brown praised the overall production despite the character and stories stating “I found Thea Sharrock's production incredibly slick in terms of the design and functionality, and the singing and songs are great. But overall, I felt a little disappointed with the lack of character and story detail.”[73]

text: There were also some negative critics including Michael Billington from The Guardian, who said that the musical was "one more example of the necrophiliac musical morbidly attracted to a cinematic corpse".[74]

text: Awards and nominations[edit]

text: Original London production[edit]

text:
Year
Award Ceremony
Category
Nominee
Result

2013
Laurence Olivier Award
Best New Musical[75]
Nominated

Best Actress in a Musical
Heather Headley[75]
Nominated

Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical
Debbie Kurup[75]
Nominated

Best Set Design
Tim Hatley[75]
Nominated

Evening Standard Award
Best Night Out[76]
Nominated


document_title: Into the Woods (film)

question_text: who plays prince charming in into the woods

root

text: Into the Woods (film)

text: Plot[edit]

text: A Baker (James Corden) and his Wife (Emily Blunt) wish for a child but suffer under a curse laid upon the Baker's family by a Witch (Meryl Streep) who found the Baker's father robbing her garden when his mother was pregnant. Because the Baker's father also stole some beans, the Witch was punished with the curse of ugliness by her own mother. The Witch offers to lift the curse, but only if the Baker and his Wife obtain four critical items for her: a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, a hair as yellow as corn, and a slipper as pure as gold. The Witch later tells the Baker that she asked him to do this task for her because she is not allowed to touch any of the objects.

tag: p

text: The Witch's demands eventually bring the Baker and his Wife into contact with Jack (Daniel Huttlestone), who is selling his beloved cow, Milky-White, and to whom the Baker offers magic beans left him by his father (which were stolen from the Witch) which grow into a large beanstalk; with Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford), whose ruby cape the couple notices when she stops to buy sweets on her way to grandmother's house; with Rapunzel (MacKenzie Mauzy), whose tower the Baker's Wife passes in the woods; and with Cinderella (Anna Kendrick), who also runs into the Baker's Wife while fleeing from the pursuing Prince (Chris Pine).

text: After a series of failed attempts and misadventures, the Baker and his Wife finally are able to gather the items necessary to break the spell. Meanwhile, each of the other characters receive their "happy endings": Cinderella marries the Prince; Jack provides for his mother by stealing riches from the Giant in the sky, and kills the pursuing Giant by cutting down the beanstalk; Little Red Riding Hood and her Grandmother are saved from the Big Bad Wolf (Johnny Depp); and the Witch regains her youth and beauty after drinking the potion.

text: However, each of the characters learns their "happily ever after" is not very happy: the Baker is worried that he is a poor father to his newborn baby; the Baker's Wife is temporarily seduced by the Prince; Cinderella is disenchanted by the cheating Prince; and the Witch learns that she has lost her powers with her restored youth and beauty. The growth of a second beanstalk from the last remaining magic bean allows the Giant's Wife to climb down and threaten the kingdom and its inhabitants if they do not deliver Jack in retribution for killing her husband. The characters debate the morality of handing Jack over. In the process, Red Riding Hood's Mother and Grandmother, Jack's Mother, and the Baker's Wife are killed. The characters blame each other for their individual actions that lead to the tragedy, ultimately blaming the Witch for raising the beans in the first place. She curses them for their inability to accept their individual responsibilities. Casting all her remaining beans away, she begs her mother to punish her again and disappears into a large pit of boiling tar.

text: The remaining characters resolve to kill the threatening Giant's Wife, though Cinderella and the Baker try to explain to the distraught Red Riding Hood and Jack the complicated morality of retribution and revenge. The characters lure the Giant's Wife into stepping in the tar pit where she ultimately trips and falls to her death. With The Giant's Wife dead, the characters move forward with their ruined lives. The Baker, thinking of his Wife, is determined to be a good father. Cinderella decides to leave the Prince and help the Baker, and Jack and Red Riding Hood, now orphans, are living with the Baker and Cinderella. The Baker comforts his son after he begins to cry by telling a story as the movie ends with the Witch's moral, meaning that children can change due to the parent's actions and behaviors.

text: Cast[edit]

text:
Meryl Streep as The Witch[8]
Emily Blunt as The Baker's Wife[9]
James Corden as The Baker[10]
Anna Kendrick as Cinderella[11]
Chris Pine as Cinderella's Prince[12]
Tracey Ullman as Jack's Mother[13]
Christine Baranski as Cinderella's Stepmother[14]
Johnny Depp as The Big Bad Wolf[15]
Lilla Crawford as Little Red Riding Hood[16]
Daniel Huttlestone as Jack[17]
MacKenzie Mauzy as Rapunzel[18]
Billy Magnussen as Rapunzel's Prince[19]
Tammy Blanchard as Florinda[8]
Lucy Punch as Lucinda[8]
Frances de la Tour as the Giant's Wife[20]
Richard Glover as the Steward[20]
Joanna Riding as Cinderella's Mother[20]
Annette Crosbie as Little Red Riding Hood's Grandmother[20]
Simon Russell Beale as the Baker's Father[20]
Tug as Milky-White[21]

tag: ul

text: Stage-to-screen changes[edit]

text: While it was initially reported that Disney had decided to make some major plot changes for the film version in order to make it more family-friendly,[22] Stephen Sondheim revealed that this was not the case and that any changes in the film version had been approved by him and James Lapine.[23][24]

text: Thus, the film does slightly differ from the stage production. The songs "I Guess This Is Goodbye",[25] "Maybe They're Magic",[26] "First Midnight" and "Second Midnight" interludes, "Ever After" (Act I finale of the original play),[25] "So Happy",[27] "Into the Woods" Reprise, "Agony" Reprise[25] and "No More" (performed by the Baker) were cut from the film,[28] although both "Ever After" and "No More" are used as instrumentals in the film. Meanwhile, many of the songs in the film have slightly different lyrics than their stage counterparts due to the slight tweaking of storylines.

text: Other changes include a major reduction of the significant role of the "Mysterious Man", who manipulates much of the action in the first act and is eventually revealed to be the Baker's father. Also, the character of the Narrator is deleted, and the film is instead narrated by the Baker.[29] The minor role of Cinderella's Father was cut, and he is instead mentioned as deceased. Due to the film's compressed storyline, Rapunzel's pregnancy is eliminated, as is the subplot where the two princes have affairs with Snow White and Sleeping Beauty.[29] In the film, the Giant's Wife attacks during the marriages of Cinderella and Rapunzel to their respective Princes, no more than a few weeks after the events of act one; in the stage show, nearly a year passes between the first and second acts. Rapunzel's ultimate fate is also changed: rather than being killed by the giant, she refuses to cooperate with the Witch and flees with her prince.[29]

text: Similarly, much of the violence and sexual content is slightly toned down from the original musical. For instance, the death of Jack's Mother is less violent in the film. On stage, the Steward clubs her to death with his staff; in the film, he simply shoves her to the ground and she hits her head on a log. The death of the Baker's Wife is not explicitly shown in the film, and the cause of her death is changed from being crushed by a tree in the Giant's Wife's wake to accidentally backing off the edge of a cliff while fleeing from the Giant's Wife.

text: Production[edit]

text: Early development[edit]

text: Early attempts of adapting Into the Woods to film occurred in the early 1990s, with a script written by Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel. A reading was held with a cast that included Robin Williams as The Baker, Goldie Hawn as The Baker's Wife, Cher as The Witch, Danny DeVito as The Giant, Steve Martin as The Wolf, and Roseanne Barr as Jack's Mother.[30] By 1991, Columbia Pictures and Jim Henson Productions were also developing a film adaptation with Craig Zadan as producer and Rob Minkoff as director.[31][32] In 1997, Columbia put the film into turnaround, with Minkoff still attached as director, and Billy Crystal, Meg Ryan, and Susan Sarandon reportedly in talks to star.[33] After the report by Variety, a film adaptation of Into the Woods remained inactive for 15 years.

text: Development at Disney[edit]

text: After the critical and commercial success of Chicago in 2002, director Rob Marshall approached Stephen Sondheim as he was interested in adapting one of his musicals such as Follies and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, although Sondheim suggested Into the Woods instead.[34] Marshall concurred, but development of the project was then postponed while he focused on directing Memoirs of a Geisha and Nine. In 2011, Marshall's interest in the project was rekindled when he heard a speech by President Barack Obama on the tenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks to the families of the 9/11 victims, which seemed to evoke the same message as the musical's most important song, "No One Is Alone".[35] Marshall firmly believed that Into the Woods was “a fairy tale for the post-9/11 generation".[36] In January 2012, Marshall approached Walt Disney Pictures—for whom he had just directed Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides—and pitched the idea to the studio,[34] with Lapine writing the script and Sondheim "expected" to write new songs.[37] Academy Award-winner Dion Beebe, who previously collaborated with Marshall on Chicago, Memoirs of a Geisha, and Nine, served as cinematographer.[38] Sondheim confirmed that a new song had been written for the film.[39]

text: With Disney's backing, a three-day reading of the entire updated screenplay took place in New York in October 2012 under Marshall's direction, with Nina Arianda as the Baker's Wife, Victoria Clark as Cinderella's Mother/Granny/Giant, James Corden as the Baker, Donna Murphy as the Witch, Christine Baranski as Cinderella's Stepmother, Tammy Blanchard as Florinda, Ivan Hernandez as the Wolf, Megan Hilty as Lucinda, Cheyenne Jackson as Rapunzel's Prince, Allison Janney as Jack's Mother, Anna Kendrick as Cinderella, Michael McGrath as Steward/Mysterious Man, Laura Osnes as Rapunzel, Taylor Trensch as Jack, Casey Whyland as Little Red Riding Hood, and Patrick Wilson as Cinderella's Prince.[40] It was this reading which ultimately convinced Walt Disney Studios president Sean Bailey to green-light the film despite ongoing concerns about the dark nature of the original musical (which Disney executives had begun to understand since Marshall's original pitch).[34] However, Disney (which self-finances all its films)[41] provided only a relatively small production budget of $50 million (relative to other feature-length fantasy films on its development slate), in turn forcing both cast and crew to accept pay cuts to work on the film.[34]

text: Reports subsequently surfaced in January 2013 that Meryl Streep had been cast to play the Witch.[42][43] Streep had instituted a personal "no witch" rule after she turned 40 and was offered three witch roles, but ultimately broke her own rule to do a Sondheim role again.[34] (As a young Yale University student, she had participated in the original production of Sondheim's The Frogs.) During the same month, it was reported that Janney had been confirmed to join the film as well.[44] Five months later, however, Tracey Ullman was cast as Jack's Mother instead.[13]

text: In April 2013, Johnny Depp was in final negotiations, along with Streep, to join the film.[9][15] The Hollywood Reporter reported that to help make the film on such a tight budget, Depp agreed as a favor to Disney and to Marshall (whom he had just worked with in On Stranger Tides) to a "boarding" arrangement, in which he would appear in a minor role for a fee of $1 million, instead of his typical fee of $20 million for a starring role.[45] In May, James Corden, who took part in the reading of the screenplay, was in talks to play the role of the Baker.[46] On May 10, 2013, Disney confirmed the casting of Streep, Depp, and Corden as the Witch, the Big Bad Wolf, and the Baker, respectively.[10] That same month, Emily Blunt and Christine Baranski were cast, respectively, as the Baker's Wife and Cinderella's Stepmother.[14][47][48] Marshall later confirmed that Blunt was selected for her "warm[th]" and likeability to ensure the emotional impact of the sudden death of the Baker's Wife: "[T]hat’s very important for that character because it’s the heart of the piece and you really have to love her so when she’s gone it should feel like a kick in the gut."[35] After she was cast, Blunt discovered she was pregnant and her costume and choreography had to be adjusted accordingly.[34][49] However, her "overweight" appearance during production actually fit in with the role of the Baker's Wife;[34] as she explained, "I feel like she would have eaten a lot of carbs working in the bakery."[49]

text: Also in May, Jake Gyllenhaal and Chris Pine entered negotiations to play the Princes.[12] However, Gyllenhaal dropped out of the film due to scheduling conflicts with another film, Nightcrawler, and was subsequently replaced by Billy Magnussen.[19][50] One month later, Anna Kendrick began talks to play Cinderella in the film.[11] In June 2013, Walt Disney Studios publicly announced that the film had been greenlighted, and scheduled a release date for Christmas Day 2014.[6][51] In July, MacKenzie Mauzy, Tammy Blanchard, Lucy Punch and Daniel Huttlestone joined the cast.[8][17][18] In early August, Sophia Grace Brownlee's representatives announced that she had been cast as Little Red Riding Hood.[52][53] The announcement of Brownlee's casting, which was widely reported but never confirmed by Disney, was criticized as "a stunt" and was met with concern due to her age and the sexual undertones present between Little Red and the Wolf.[54][55][56] Mauzy later revealed that she first auditioned for Cinderella but did not get the part. However, director Marshall saw her audition tape and brought her back in for Rapunzel, after recognizing "the 'vulnerability' and 'emotion' Mauzy could bring to Rapunzel after she read just one line", as he recalled.[57] The film's plot synopsis and the official casting of lead actors Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, and Emily Blunt were revealed at the D23 Expo on August 10, 2013.[58][59] On September 16, 2013, Lilla Crawford was confirmed as playing the character of Little Red Riding Hood, despite previous reports suggesting Brownlee.[16] Crawford auditioned for Marshall via Skype, who offered her the role within two hours; she was on a flight to London the next day.[34] Later on, Dominic Brownlee spoke about the withdrawal of his daughter Sophia Grace from the movie: "After careful consideration, we the parents of Sophia Grace, felt that as rehearsals progressed that she was too young for this part. It was a joint decision between us and the director and producer of Into the Woods to withdraw Sophia Grace from the film."[60] Apart from Crawford, the casting of Richard Glover, Frances de la Tour, Simon Russell Beale, Joanna Riding, and Annette Crosbie in other roles was also separately announced later on September 16.[20]

text: Filming[edit]

text: In July 2013, before filming began, Marshall put the cast through six weeks[34] of rehearsals on a soundstage and blocked their scenes.[2] In August, the cast members visited Angel Studios to separately record their respective parts in the presence of Sondheim himself.[2] Over 90% of the vocal tracks in the final version of the film are from the recording studio sessions, while the rest were recorded on location or on the set.[2] The advantage of blocking and rehearsing all scenes first was that the cast members could then precisely calibrate their voices in the recording studio to the planned appearance of each scene when later filmed, thereby minimizing the slightly disconcerting disconnection between vocals and choreography typical of music videos.[61]

text: Principal photography took place at London's Shepperton Studios in September 2013, with additional filming taking place at Dover Castle, Hambleden, Waverley Abbey,[62][63][64] and Richmond Park.[65][66] A forest of ancient pine trees in Windsor Great Park was used for many of the scenes in the woods.[67] Marshall struggled with how to stage the melodramatic duet "Agony" in the forest until discovering online that Windsor had an artificial waterfall at Virginia Water Lake, which turned out to be the perfect location for the song.[67] The production was shot digitally, using Arri Alexa cameras configured in a two-camera setup.[61] Footage was edited together in Avid Media Composer.[61] The exterior of Byfleet Manor in Surrey served as Cinderella's home.[68]

text: The filmmakers spent a whole day shooting scenes which involved Rapunzel's hair being climbed upon.[57] Mauzy claimed that the filmmakers wanted to take advantage of her blonde hair, and that the top of Rapunzel's hair appeared in the film was her own real hair; make-up artists only braided it into the extension.[57] This hair extension was engineered by hair designer Peter King.[69] After testing loose, flowing hair which King found "uncontrollable", he decided to have twenty-seven wefts of real hair woven together into a 30-foot braid, a design which took inspiration from an Arthur Rackham illustration of Rapunzel.[69] In order to bring in enough real Russian hair strands needed for the extension, King and his team had to work with several distributors from Germany and England.[69] The hair-braiding process required three people, each holding a separate strand and weaving in and out.[69] King also dyed the wefts for them to match Mauzy's champagne blonde hair color, and blended together six different shades from ash and strawberry to create realistic gradations and highlights.[69] Between scenes, Mauzy had to "wrap [the hair] around her arm like huge rolls of wool", as recalled by King.[69] A stuntman was employed to shoot hair-climbing scenes.[57] Thin rope and metal rings were the only additional tools concealed within the braid to hold the weight of a person climbing up.[69]

text: The film's final shot, which essentially merges into and links back to its first shot, actually transitions digitally between three shots: a Technocrane on location lifting as high as possible into the sky, an aerial drone flying down a valley in Wales, and a shot of an overcast sky in Manhattan, New York City.[70] Filming concluded on November 27, 2013.[71]

text: On July 14, 2014, Steve Baldwin posted on a social networking site that reshoots were made during the whole month of July.[72] The following month, however, Rob Marshall denied the film went through re-shoots.[73] Instead, they spent three days shooting new material that had been cut and re-added to the script after Disney screened the movie.[73] For his role as the Wolf, Depp worked closely with the film's costume designer Colleen Atwood to create a Tex Avery-inspired costume, complete with zoot suit and fedora.[74]

text: Music[edit]

text: As noted above, the majority of the songs were pre-recorded by the cast.[2] Music producer Mike Higham, who had previously worked with Sondheim on Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, recorded the film's score with the London Symphony Orchestra and London Philharmonic.[21] Music supervisor and conductor Paul Gemignani instructed the actors on how to sing, including singing live to a camera on set, to prerecorded music in studio, and with a live studio orchestra. Jonathan Tunick orchestrated Sondheim's original music.[21] The key to the song, "Hello, Little Girl," was altered to better suit Johnny Depp's lower vocal range. In regards to the song's musical arrangement, Higham explained, "we emphasized the woodwinds to make it feel a little lighter, especially the flutes. And we just made it a little jazzier — played more on the walking bass line. Inherently, when it has a jazz feel, it just feels lighter."[75] The film's soundtrack was released by Walt Disney Records on December 15, 2014.[76]

text: While it was initially reported that the film version would feature two new songs: a duet for the Baker and his Wife, titled "Rainbows"—originally written for a 1992 film adaptation that was never made—and a new song for the Witch, eventually titled "She'll Be Back".[77] In the end, neither song appears in the finished film: "Rainbows" was cut before shooting began and "She'll Be Back", though filmed, was cut from the film on the grounds that it slowed the story down. "She'll Be Back" was included as a bonus feature on the film's home media release.[78][79]

text: Release[edit]

text: The first official company presentation took place at the 2013 Disney D23 expo.[80] The official teaser trailer debuted on July 31, 2014.[81][82] A featurette was released showing behind-the-scenes clips and the vocals of Streep, Kendrick, Blunt and others.[83] A second trailer was released on November 6, 2014.[84]

text: The film held its world premiere at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City on December 8, 2014.[85] It was released theatrically in the United States on December 25, 2014.

text: Home media[edit]

text: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment released the film on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital download in North America on March 24, 2015.[86] The film debuted in second place on the home media charts behind The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.[87] The home media version includes Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's original song "She'll Be Back".[79]

text: Reception[edit]

text: Box office[edit]

text: Into the Woods grossed $128 million in North America, and $85.1 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $213.1 million, against a budget of $50 million.[3]

text: Into the Woods began playing across North American theaters on December 24, 2014, and earned $1.1 million from late-night Christmas Eve showings[88][89] and $15.08 million on its opening day (including previews) from 2,440 theaters.[90] Its opening day gross was the fourth-biggest Christmas Day debut and the sixth-biggest Christmas Day gross ever.[91] The film was among one of four films put into wide release on December 25, 2014, the other three being Universal Pictures' Unbroken (3,131 theaters), Paramount Pictures' The Gambler (2,478 theaters), and TWC's Big Eyes (1,307 theaters).[92] It earned $31.1 million in its traditional three-day opening ($46.1 million including its Christmas Day gross) debuting at #2 at the box office behind The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, achieving the highest opening weekend for a film based on a Broadway musical (previously held by Mamma Mia!).[93][94] The film's $3.5 million debut in Japan marked the largest opening for a 21st-century live-action musical film.[95]

text: Critical response[edit]

text: Despite early screenings prior to the film's release, Disney issued an embargo on professional reviews of the film until two weeks before general theatrical release.[96] Into the Woods received generally positive reviews from critics. The review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes reports that 71% of critics gave the film a positive review based on 196 reviews, with an average rating of 6.6/10. The site's consensus reads: "On the whole, this Disney adaptation of the Sondheim classic sits comfortably at the corner of Hollywood and Broadway—even if it darkens to its detriment in the final act." The cast—particularly the performances by Streep, Blunt and Pine—received wide acclaim as well as its production design, and costume design[97] Another review aggregator, Metacritic, calculates a score of 69 out of 100, based on 41 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[98] In CinemaScore polls conducted during the opening weekend, cinema audiences gave Into the Woods an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale.[99]

text: Streep was immensely applauded for her performance as the Witch, with many critics and audiences believing she was the film's heart. Lou Lumenick of the New York Post called her and Blunt's portrayals as "two of the greatest female performances of the year". For her performance, Streep received Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, and Broadcast Film Critics Association Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress.

text: The Hollywood Reporter wrote that the film "benefits from respect for the source material, enticing production values and a populous gallery of sharp character portraits from a delightful cast".[100] Stephen Holden of The New York Times lauded the film, writing; "Into the Woods, the splendid Disney screen adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim-James Lapine musical, infuses new vitality into the tired marketing concept of entertainment for 'children of all ages'".[101] Leonard Maltin called the movie as "one of the year's best films". Similarly, Pete Hammond of Deadline praised the film as "the most dazzling movie musical since Marshall's own Chicago." and praised the performance of the cast, particularly Streep. Lou Lumerick of the New York Post called the film "this century's best musical" and lauded the performances of Streep and Blunt as the best female performances of the year. Scott Mendelson of Forbes gave a positive review declaring the film "Rob Marshall's best movie ever" and praised it for its genuine entertainment and strong cast performances.[102] Richard Corliss of Time gave a positive review, stating that the film was a "smart, appealing, upside-down children’s story for adults of all ages".[103] Gregory Ellwood of HitFix tipped Streep as an Academy Award contender in the Best Supporting Actress category, and also praised the performance of Chris Pine.[104]

text: Richard Lawson of Vanity Fair,[105] Karen D'Souza of the San Jose Mercury News,[106] and Dana Stevens of Slate[107] all published critical reviews of the film. All three found much to like in the acting (especially Blunt and Pine's performances), but all three also concluded that after the various cuts and changes, the final version of the film had failed to adequately preserve the power of the dark existentialist message at the heart of the original musical's second act.[105][106][107] Stevens characterized the result as a "generic dystopian bummer,"[107] while Lawson criticized the film as a "dutiful but perfunctory adaptation" which lacked "genuine heart".[105] Paul Katz of The Huffington Post felt the change in tone between the last two acts was too abrupt, and also criticized the film's faithfulness to the stage musical.[108] Conversely, Alyssa Rosenberg of The Washington Post disliked the performances by Streep and Depp, while simultaneously calling the film's first two acts a "surprising delight".[109]

text: Accolades[edit]

text:
List of awards and nominations

Award
Date of ceremony
Category
Recipient(s) and nominee(s)
Result

Academy Awards[110]
February 22, 2015
Best Supporting Actress
Meryl Streep
Nominated

Best Production Design
Production Design: Dennis Gassner; Set Decoration: Anna Pinnock
Nominated

Best Costume Design
Colleen Atwood
Nominated

AACTA International Awards[111]
January 31, 2015
Best Supporting Actress
Meryl Streep
Nominated

Art Directors Guild Awards[112]
January 31, 2015
Excellence in Production Design for a Fantasy Film
Dennis Gassner
Nominated

American Cinema Editors[113]
January 30, 2015
Best Edited Feature Film – Comedy or Musical
Wyatt Smith
Nominated

American Film Institute[114]
December 9, 2014
Top Eleven Films of the Year
Into the Woods
Won

British Academy Film Awards[115]
February 8, 2015
Best Costume Design
Colleen Atwood
Nominated

Best Makeup and Hair
Peter Swords King, J. Roy Helland
Nominated

Broadcast Film Critics Association[116]
January 15, 2015
Best Supporting Actress
Meryl Streep
Nominated

Best Acting Ensemble
The Cast of Into the Woods
Nominated

Best Art Direction
Dennis Gassner/Production Designer, Anna Pinnock/Set Decorator
Nominated

Best Costume Design
Colleen Atwood
Nominated

Best Hair & Makeup

Nominated

Casting Society of America[117]
January 22, 2015
Big Budget Comedy
Francine Maisler, Bernard Telsey, Tiffany Little Canfield
Nominated

Chicago Film Critics Association
December 15, 2014
Best Art direction/Production Design
Dennis Gassner, Anna Pinnock
Nominated

Costume Designers Guild[118]
February 17, 2015
Excellence in Fantasy Film
Colleen Atwood
Won

Detroit Film Critics Society
December 15, 2014
Best Ensemble
The Cast of Into the Woods
Nominated

Empire Awards[119]
March 29, 2015
Best Male Newcomer
Daniel Huttlestone
Nominated

Florida Film Critics Circle
December 19, 2014
Best Art Direction/Production Design
Dennis Gassner, Anna Pinnock
Nominated

Golden Globe Awards[120]
January 11, 2015
Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Into the Woods
Nominated

Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
Emily Blunt
Nominated

Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture
Meryl Streep
Nominated

Kids' Choice Awards[121]
March 28, 2015
Best Villain
Meryl Streep
Nominated

MPSE Golden Reel Awards[122]
February 15, 2015
Feature Musical
Mike Higham, Jennifer Dunnington
Nominated

MTV Movie Awards[123][124]
April 12, 2015
Best Villain
Meryl Streep
Won

San Diego Film Critics Society
December 15, 2014
Best Production Design
Dennis Gassner, Anna Pinnock
Nominated

Satellite Awards[125][126]
February 15, 2015
Best Ensemble – Motion Picture
Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Johnny Depp, Lilla Crawford, Daniel Huttlestone, MacKenzie Mauzy, Tracey Ullman, Christine Baranski, Tammy Blanchard, Lucy Punch, Billy Magnussen, and Frances de la Tour
Won

Best Costume Design
Colleen Atwood
Nominated

Best Sound (Editing and Mixing)
Blake Leyh, John Casali, Michael Keller, Michael Prestwoood Smith, and Renee Tondelli
Nominated

Best Visual Effects
Christian Irles, Matt Johnson, and Stefano Pepin
Nominated

Saturn Awards[127]
June 25, 2015
Best Fantasy Film
Into the Woods
Nominated

Best Supporting Actress
Meryl Streep
Nominated

Best Production Design
Dennis Gassner
Nominated

Best Costume
Colleen Atwood
Nominated

Best Make-up
Peter King and Matthew Smith
Nominated

Screen Actors Guild Awards[128]
January 25, 2015
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Meryl Streep
Nominated

St. Louis Film Critics
December 15, 2014
Best Music Soundtrack

Nominated

Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards[129]
December 8, 2014
Best Ensemble

Nominated

Best Art Direction
Dennis Gassner and Anna Pinnock
Nominated

Young Artist Awards[130]
May 15, 2015
Best Performance in a Feature Film – Supporting Young Actor
Daniel Huttlestone
Nominated

Best Performance in a Feature Film – Supporting Young Actress
Lilla Crawford
Won

tag: table


document_title: Miracle on 34th Street (1994 film)

question_text: who plays kris kringle on miracle on 34th street

text: Miracle on 34th Street (1994 film)

text: Plot[edit]

text: Cole's Department Store's special events director Dorey Walker (Elizabeth Perkins) fires Tony Falacchi from being the Cole's Department Store's Santa Claus after he gets drunk before taking part in the Thanksgiving parade. Immediately trying to find a replacement, she spots an elderly man (Richard Attenborough) who was berating the inebriated Santa before the parade. When Dorey begs him to take over, he introduces himself as Kris Kringle. Kris does so well during the parade that he is immediately hired to be Cole's main Santa for the holiday period. All the children in New York begin to believe that he is the real Santa, with the exception of Dorey's six-year-old daughter Susan (Mara Wilson). Dorey's boyfriend, Bryan Bedford (Dylan McDermott), does his best to convince Susan to believe. While being babysat one night by Kris, Susan shares with him her Christmas wish, she would like a dad, a house (used every year for the Cole's catalogue photoshoot) and a baby brother. Kris asks if she would begin to believe in Santa if she got all those things. Susan agrees that she would.

text: Kris is credited with bringing in increasingly more sales to Cole's than previous years. One night, he is arrested for assaulting a man on the street, later revealed to be the original drunk Santa, Tony Falacchi. Falacchi had taken revenge by means of setting up Kris to be arrested, with the help of members of staff from a rival department store of Cole's, Shopper's Express. With the help of Bryan, Dorey takes Kris's case to court, and drums up support for him from the public. It soon becomes clear that to get Kris acquitted and freed, Bryan must somehow prove that not only does Santa exist, but that Kris is the real one. It is a seemingly impossible task until Bryan comes up with a plan that requires some help from Susan.

text: Just as the judge is about to make his decision – and it seems he was going to rule against Kris – Susan walks up to the judge with a Christmas card containing a $1 bill. On the back, the words In God We Trust are circled. The judge realizes that, since the US Department of Treasury can put its official faith in God on US currency with no hard evidence, then the people of New York can believe in Santa Claus in the same way. Left with no choice, the elated judge dismisses the case and declares that Santa is real, existing in the person of Kris Kringle.

text: Following the court case, Dorey and Bryan are maneuvered by Kris into realizing their true feelings for each other, and are married in a very small ceremony right after the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass. On Christmas morning, Susan wakes to the news of the marriage (via the bright reflections of Dorey's engagement ring on the Christmas tree) and is elated to see that she has part one of her Christmas wish, Bryan as her new step-dad. Together, Susan, Dorey and Bryan drive out to the catalogue house and upon arrival, find that Kris has arranged for them to purchase the house, which they can now afford due to the size of the Christmas bonus Dorey has received as a result of Kris' work at Cole's. Susan, now having got two out of three of her wishes, excitedly runs upstairs in the house to look at her bedroom. Dorey and Bryan are about to kiss when Dorey ask her what the last part of her Christmas wish was, and she triumphantly announces that it was a baby brother. Dorey and Bryan both look at each other, shocked, before glancing down at Dorey's stomach and sharing a kiss. The film ends with the belief that Susan has now received all she asked for in her wish.

text: It is mentioned that Kris has gone overseas.

text: Cast[edit]

text:
Richard Attenborough as Kris Kringle, said to be the real Santa Claus. He reluctantly takes on the duty as Cole's Santa Claus after the original drunk Santa is terminated.
Elizabeth Perkins as Dorey Walker, Susan's mother. She is the director of special events for Cole's, and Bryan Bedford's girlfriend.
Mara Wilson as Susan Walker, Dorey's 6-year-old daughter.
Dylan McDermott as Bryan Bedford, Dorey's boyfriend and neighbor.
J. T. Walsh as Ed Collins, a lawyer
Simon Jones as Donald Shellhammer, the general manager of Coles, known for his departing phrase "Chin-Chin".
James Remar as Jack Duff, a minion under the greedy Victor Landberg.
Jane Leeves as Alberta Leonard, another minion under the greedy Victor Landberg.
William Windom as C.F. Cole
Robert Prosky as Judge Henry Harper, the city judge presiding over Kris' case. He has a grandson who is seen thinking Kris is Santa Claus in the first scene of the film.
Allison Janney as a brazen woman shopper in Cole's Christmas Shopping Center.
Jack McGee as Tony Falacchi, the drunk Santa who was fired from being the Cole's Santa Claus.
Joss Ackland (uncredited) as Victor Landberg, owner of a competing store who is eager to see Cole's go out of business so he can buy out the facility and extend his market.

text: Reception[edit]

text: At the box office, the film opened at #8 with $2,753,208[3] and eventually finished with $17,320,146 in North America and $46,264,384 worldwide.[1]

text: Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a score of 59% based on reviews from 34 critics.[4] TV Guide called the film "curiously depressing",[5] while Desson Howe of The Washington Post said, in contrast to the 1947 version, "[it] will not be found on television (or its computer equivalent) half a century from now."[6] Its supporters include Gene Siskel & Roger Ebert, who gave the film "two thumbs up" on their show. Michael Medved of Sneak Previews said "This is the new holiday classic America has been waiting for."

text: Release[edit]

text: The Dreamstone 27th episode The Return accompanied the film's theatrical release.


document_title: Constitution of Nepal

question_text: when was first written constitution declared in nepal

text: Constitution of Nepal

text: Nepal Constituent Assembly[edit]

text: The Interim Constitution provides for a Constituent Assembly, which was charged with writing Nepal's permanent constitution. Under the terms of the Interim Constitution, the new constitution was to be promulgated by April 28, 2010, but the Constituent Assembly postponed the promulgation by a year because of disagreements. On May 25, 2011, the Supreme Court of Nepal ruled that the 2010 extension of the Interim Constitution was not right. Since May 29, 2011 the Constituent Assembly repeatedly extended the Interim Constitution.

text: On May 28, 2012, the Constituent Assembly was dissolved after it failed to finish the constitution after the latest extension, ending four years of constitution drafting and leaving the country in a legal vacuum.[3][4] New elections were held on November 19, 2013 to the Second Nepalese Constituent Assembly and political leaders pledged to draft a new constitution within a year.[5][needs update]. The new assembly expressly committed that the new constitution would be promulgated on January 22, 2015. However, due to continued differences on key issues including system of governance, judicial system and federation issues like number, name and areas of the states to be carved, the constitution could not be finalized and promulgated in time.

text: Basic features of the Constitution[edit]

text: The constitution is largely written in gender neutral term. Some of the important aspects of the constitution include the following:

text:
The Constitution has restructured the Nation into a federal republic. The Constitution has divided the nation into seven states and finalized the march of the Nation towards republicanism from constitutional monarchy and federalism from unitary system.
Bicameral parliamentary system has been created with two houses at the Center and unicameral parliamentary system in each state.
Mixed electoral system has been opted for the elections of the lower house at the Center with both first past the post election system and proportional election system are used to elect members of the lower house.
Rights of gender and sexual minorities are protected by the new constitution with provisions of special laws to protect, empower and develop minority groups as well as allowing them to get citizenship in their chosen gender.
Recognizing the rights of women, the constitution of Nepal explicitly states that “women shall have equal ancestral right without any gender-based discrimination.”
Bans any acts leading to conversions from one religion to another. It also prohibits acts that undermine or jeopardize the religion of another. At the same time it declares the nation to be secular and neutral toward all religions.
Nepal also has continued to abolish the death penalty. Nepal had abolished death penalty in 1990 after the promulgation of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990.
The Constitution defines wide range human rights as fundamental rights.

text: Preamble[edit]

text: We, the Sovereign People of Nepal, Internalizing the people's sovereign right and right to autonomy and self-rule, while maintaining freedom, sovereignty, territorial integrity, national unity, independence and dignity of Nepal, Recalling the glorious history of historic people's movements, armed conflict, dedication and sacrifice undertaken by the Nepalese people at times for the interest of the nation, democracy and progressive changes, and respecting for the martyrs and disappeared and victim citizens, Ending all forms of discrimination and oppression created by the feudalistic, autocratic, centralized, unitary system of governance, Protecting and promoting social and cultural solidarity, tolerance and harmony, and unity in diversity by recognizing the multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religious, multi-cultural and diverse regional characteristics, resolving to build an egalitarian society founded on the proportional inclusive and participatory principles in order to ensure economic equality, prosperity and social justice, by eliminating discrimination based on class, caste, region, language, religion and gender and all forms of caste- based untouchability, and Being committed to socialism based on democratic norms and values including the people's competitive multiparty democratic system of governance, civil liberties, fundamental rights, human rights, adult franchise, periodic elections, full freedom of the press, and independent, impartial and competent judiciary and concept of the rule of law, and build a prosperous nation,Do hereby pass and promulgate this Constitution, through the Constituent Assembly, in order to fulfil the aspirations for sustainable peace, good governance, development and prosperity through the federal, democratic, republican, system of governance.

text: Previous Constitutions[edit]

text: In the 68 years history of constitutional development onto this Constitution, Nepal experienced 7 different constitutions in different time period. Previous constitutions of Nepal were enacted in 1948, 1951, 1959, 1962, 1990 and 2007.[6]

text: Government of Nepal Act 1948[edit]

text: In 1948, the Government of Nepal Act was enacted. Since the mid-nineteenth century, the country had been a monarchy where the prime ministers, from the Rana dynasty, had sweeping control over the affairs of the state.[7] The 1948 document introduced limited democratic elements, but the experiment was not successful due to the misgivings of the Rana rulers to give away power.[8]

text: Interim Government of Nepal Act 1951[edit]

text: The Interim Government of Nepal Act 1951 was promulgated after the Revolution of 1951 at the end of the Rana period.[9] This text strengthened the authority of the king, and introduced relevant reforms such as the creation of the Supreme Court and the inclusion of fundamental rights and socio-economic goals to be pursued by the state.[10]

text: Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 1959[edit]

text: The Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 1959 followed the previously mentioned interim text. Interestingly, despite the establishment of a bicameral parliament, the king continued to hold important powers such as the prerogative to appoint half of the members of the Senate and the suspension of parliament under certain circumstances.[11]

text: Constitution of Nepal 1962[edit]

text: The democratic experiment was short-lived, as in 1962 a new constitution came in to eliminate political parties, and to introduce the so-called panchayat system. In this model, panchayats were councils organized at the local level, presumably to ensure the representation of citizens. However, the king exercised much stronger authority than in the 1959 regime. and could modify the constitution or suspend it in case of emergency.[12]

text: Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 1990[edit]

text: In 1990, the first Jana Andolan, Popular Revolt, brought multi-party democracy back to Nepal. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 1990 lifted the ban on political parties, described a democratic representative system where the authority of the king was curtailed, and enshrined fundamental rights.[13] Although the 1990 constitution substantially increased the democratic character of the state in comparison with the Panchayat Regime, critiques have argued that this text did not adequately represent all sectors of society, even though Nepal is a multi-cultural country where diverse social groups coexist [14]

text: Nepal Interim Constitution 2006[edit]

text: Again following the 2007 democracy movement in Nepal, Interim Constitution was promulgated in 2007.

text: Controversy over 2015 Constitution[edit]

text: This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

text: The promulgation of the new constitution was immediately followed by virtual blockade of all checkpoints at Nepal-India border. Various Human Rights Activists and some ethnic groups in lowland Nepal have accused the Constitution of being gender discriminatory especially in regards to citizenship provisions. They allege new constitution makes it difficult for woman to pass on citizenship to their children as compared to men.[15]

text: Similarly, Madhesi and indigenous population view that the new constitution fails to address demands of marginalized communities and support status-quo of the ruling groups. They are protesting mainly over the federal delineation of new states as proposed in the constitution fearing existing demarcation could affect their political representation.[16][17] With the protest ongoing since August 15, 2015 or earlier, at least 45 people, including 8 security personals and one Indian National, have been killed. Human Rights Watch has criticized the Nepal Government as well as the protesters for violation of human rights during the protest.[18][19] Additionally, there is controversy over Nepalese citizenship rules, which Nepal deems to protect the state from being overwhelmed by Indian immigrants, and which India claims discriminates against Madhesis of Indian origins, the draft constitution and final constitution that passed differ on this issue.

text: Citizenship Provisions in the Constitution of Nepal 2015[edit]

text: The conditions to be fulfilled to be a Nepalese Citizen are outlined below (Copied from Section 11, Part 2, Constitution of Nepal, 2015)(final) [20]

text: (1) The persons who have acquired citizenship of Nepal at the commencement of this Constitution and the persons who are eligible to acquire citizenship of Nepal under this Part shall be deemed to be the citizens of Nepal.

text: (2) The following persons who have their permanent domicile in Nepal shall be deemed to be citizens of Nepal by descent:-

text: (a) A person who has acquired the citizenship of Nepal by descent before the commencement of this constitution.

text: (b) Any person whose father or mother was a citizen of Nepal at the birth of such a person.

text: (3) A child of a citizen who has acquired citizenship of Nepal by birth before the commencement of this Constitution shall, if his/her father and mother both are the citizens of Nepal, shall be entitled to Nepali citizenship by descent upon his/her attaining the age of majority.

text: (4) Every child found in Nepal whereabouts of whose paternity and maternity is not known shall, until the mother or father is traced, be deemed a citizen of Nepal by descent.

text: (5) A person born to a Nepali citizen mother and having his/her domicile in Nepal but whose father is not traced, shall be conferred the Nepali citizenship by descent.

text: Provided that in case his/her father is found to be a foreigner, the citizenship of such a person shall be converted to naturalized citizenship according to the Federal law.

text: (6) If a foreign woman married to a Nepali citizen so wishes, she may acquire naturalized citizenship of Nepal as provided for in a Federal law.

text: (7) Notwithstanding anything contained elsewhere in this Article, in case of a person born to Nepali woman citizen married to a foreign citizen, he/she may acquire naturalized citizenship of Nepal as provided for by a Federal law if he/she is having the permanent domicile in Nepal and he/she has not acquired citizenship of the foreign country.

text: Provided that if his/her father and mother both are the citizen of Nepal at the time of acquisition of the citizenship, he/she, if born in Nepal, may acquire citizenship by descent.

text: (8) Except provided for in this Article, Government of Nepal may confer naturalized citizenship of Nepal according to Federal law.

text: (9) Government of Nepal may confer honorary citizenship according to Federal law.

text: (10) In case any area is annexed into Nepal by merger, the persons having domicile in such area shall be citizens of Nepal subject to a Federal law.