This is so surreal, watching an almost completely different cast in the original production of _Into the Woods,_ not just Dick Cavett as the Narrator. I'm so used to watching the version that was broadcast on American Playhouse on PBS (the one you can get on DVD or streaming) with the OBC. For one thing, Cavett wears a different costume as the Narrator (presumably the same suit he would usually wear on his talk show), and also having the Witch enter without any applause, since she's not played by Bernadette.
Saw this cast and thought Ms. Joslyn was great. Loved her in Sunday in the Park with George as Dot. Great in that too. Got to briefly speak with her after seeing Into the Woods and she could not have been nicer.
This explains Betsy's comment about Gemignani REALLY quickening the tempo of the rap as the run went along. He's destroying her here, but she keeps up. I love her
Unfortunately the Into The Woods casting history was not preserved well, but I believe that Betsy was the longest running Witch on Broadway. She played it before and after Phylicia Rashad. Personally I prefer Nancy Dussault.
I saw "Into the Woods" in March of 1988. It was the original cast with no cast listing of Bernadette. I sensed she may have already left. Betsy Joslyn played the Witch and she was excellent! For me her middle vocal range is her best asset. "Sweeney Todd" and in the recording of "A Doll's Life", she sings through the notes like Barbara Cook. However, as she goes into her upper range, her voice just naturally has an edge. At times in "A Doll's Life", she pulls back her vocal tone to reduce the edge but the vocal focus noticeably changes. When she sings in her full head voice, the edge simply returns. She's a great performer and you can only refine the talents you were gifted with. Check out on YT when she played Johanna on Broadway. Everything about the performance is less melodramatic and vocally more pleasing.
Plus, in the Sweeney Todd video, Johanna's entire first scene (except the Beggar Woman's bit) is raised a whole step. It befits Cris Groenendaal's tenor voice, but I suspect Joslyn would have been shown to better effect in the original keys.
Who is that playing the Baker's Wife? I know it isn't Joanna Gleason; and since this is Betsy Joslyn as the Witch, I'm guessing it's one of the replacements from further along in the original run.
Around the lines of "If what I'm about to say sounds familiar I'm the Narrator a new employee and I told it to too soon. By raise lf hands who wants to hear it again"
This is so surreal, watching an almost completely different cast in the original production of _Into the Woods,_ not just Dick Cavett as the Narrator. I'm so used to watching the version that was broadcast on American Playhouse on PBS (the one you can get on DVD or streaming) with the OBC. For one thing, Cavett wears a different costume as the Narrator (presumably the same suit he would usually wear on his talk show), and also having the Witch enter without any applause, since she's not played by Bernadette.
Betsy Joslyn’s voice and characterization have such clarity.
Saw this cast and thought Ms. Joslyn was great. Loved her in Sunday in the Park with George as Dot. Great in that too. Got to briefly speak with her after seeing Into the Woods and she could not have been nicer.
This is one of my favorite videos on UA-cam. Thank you!
I agree, Betsy Joslyn is an excellent witch. She's also Johanna in Sondheim's Sweeny Todd. She is one talented soprano. :D
Wow I loved this!
This explains Betsy's comment about Gemignani REALLY quickening the tempo of the rap as the run went along. He's destroying her here, but she keeps up. I love her
Wow. Awesome.
Oh wow, Betsy Joslyn makes for a very believable and intimidating Witch.
I heard she played Johanna in Sweeney Todd. It would have been cool if she played Rapunzel. I find her similar to Johanna in a way.
The baker's wife is Mary Gordon Murray.
Unfortunately the Into The Woods casting history was not preserved well, but I believe that Betsy was the longest running Witch on Broadway. She played it before and after Phylicia Rashad. Personally I prefer Nancy Dussault.
Hontesly I really liked her performance though. Her and Bernadette are my favs.
Thank you for the info! :)
Mary Gordon Murray - who acted the role like Gleason and sang the role like a million
I saw "Into the Woods" in March of 1988. It was the original cast with no cast listing of Bernadette. I sensed she may have already left. Betsy Joslyn played the Witch and she was excellent! For me her middle vocal range is her best asset. "Sweeney Todd" and in the recording of "A Doll's Life", she sings through the notes like Barbara Cook. However, as she goes into her upper range, her voice just naturally has an edge. At times in "A Doll's Life", she pulls back her vocal tone to reduce the edge but the vocal focus noticeably changes. When she sings in her full head voice, the edge simply returns. She's a great performer and you can only refine the talents you were gifted with. Check out on YT when she played Johanna on Broadway. Everything about the performance is less melodramatic and vocally more pleasing.
Plus, in the Sweeney Todd video, Johanna's entire first scene (except the Beggar Woman's bit) is raised a whole step. It befits Cris Groenendaal's tenor voice, but I suspect Joslyn would have been shown to better effect in the original keys.
3:10 nice foreshadowing
What's your favourite original cast witch YTBWAY???I'm wondering how's phylicia witch's rap
Who is that playing the Baker's Wife? I know it isn't Joanna Gleason; and since this is Betsy Joslyn as the Witch, I'm guessing it's one of the replacements from further along in the original run.
Betsy sure is better here than in Sweeney Todd. Who's that as the Baker's Wife?
Mary Gordon Murray.
do you have her singing stay with me
TheOldZed Dick Cavett is quite alive!
This is fantastic! Man, Cavett is really straying from the script, no? RIP Dick. Do you have the whole show?
Cavett is still alive (and 7 years after your post).
Can u find Nancy Dussault rap. And more Betsy Joslyn clips
Omg was Chip in this through it's whole run???
yess
Not really. According to IBDB, at one point, he was replaced by Phillip Hoffman, the actor who originated the role of the Steward.
@@jasobresChip was on vacation for a bit, but he was never fully replaced
What a talented frightful witch Betsy Joslyn is. Would like to hear her sing
The Last Midnight
Is that Chip Zien as the baker?
This is the Broadway replacement cast - 1988 I believe
some were, the only people that change were narrator and witch
And Baker's wife too
What does Dick say in the beginning?
Around the lines of "If what I'm about to say sounds familiar I'm the Narrator a new employee and I told it to too soon. By raise lf hands who wants to hear it again"
please tell me you have the entire show? trade?
I have the full show, if you'd like to trade.
Haneef Parker I am seeing this a year later... let me know if we can trade ... and give me an email?
@@haneefparker3165 Hey! Still wanna trade?
@@haneefparker3165 .
@@haneefparker3165 ..
where did you take this?