Act I
In the first act of "Into the Woods," we meet a variety of classic fairy-tale characters whose stories intertwine as they venture into the woods to fulfill their deepest wishes. The central story involves a Baker and his Wife who are cursed with childlessness by a Witch. To lift the curse, they must gather four items: a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn, and a slipper as pure as gold.
As the Baker and his Wife embark on their quest, they encounter other fairy-tale figures with their own goals. Cinderella wishes to attend the King's Festival, but her cruel Stepmother and Stepsisters stand in her way. Jack, of "Jack and the Beanstalk," is pressured by his mother to sell their beloved cow, Milky White. Little Red Riding Hood ventures into the woods to visit her grandmother, unaware of the lurking danger posed by the Wolf. Meanwhile, Rapunzel lives in a tower guarded by the Witch who seeks to maintain her youth and beauty.
Throughout the first act, these characters' paths cross, leading to humorous and dramatic moments. The Baker and his Wife acquire the items they need, though not without complications. As the Witch helps them understand the cause of their curse, tensions rise, and the characters begin to realize that their wishes may have unforeseen consequences. The act ends with a sense of triumph, but an undercurrent of uncertainty hints at the challenges that await them in the second act.
Act II
The second act of "Into the Woods" picks up after the initial wishes have been granted and explores the consequences of those wishes. The characters who achieved their "happily ever after" in the first act soon face new challenges, revealing that life is more complex than fairy tales suggest.
The act begins with the aftermath of the Baker and his Wife's success in lifting the Witch's curse. They now have a child, and their new responsibilities lead to tension in their relationship. Meanwhile, Cinderella is unhappy in her new role as a princess, and Jack's mother faces tough decisions brought upon by the riches Jack "acquired" from the giant's beanstalk.
As the characters attempt to navigate their new lives, a vengeful giantess descends upon the kingdom, seeking revenge for the death of her husband. This event disrupts their fairy-tale endings, forcing them to confront difficult choices and their own moral complexities. The characters must work together to survive the giantess's rampage, leading to betrayal, sacrifice, and unexpected alliances.
The Witch, whose powers are diminished after losing Rapunzel, confronts the group about their actions and the consequences of their desires. The community's effort to deal with the giantess brings them to question their responsibility in creating the chaos and the importance of working together for the greater good.
The second act ultimately delves into themes of loss, forgiveness, and the need for connection. As the characters face their own flaws and mistakes, they begin to understand the true meaning of community and support. The act concludes with the survivors finding solace in each other, realizing that they must rely on their relationships to rebuild their lives and move forward.
