Once upon a time there was a man named Stephen Sondheim…Well there still is a man named Stephen Sondheim and he is one brilliant composer and my favorite.. Along with his partner James Lapine, he created a beautiful, poignant, funny musical entitled INTO THE WOODS.that played on Broadway for years.

Now thanks to director Rob Marshall, it’s been turned into a film…a film that does absolute justice to the stage version.

The Story: ‘Into the Woods is a modern day twist on the Brothers Grimm fairy tales. In case you’ve blocked out your childhood they are ‘Cinderella, ‘Little Red Riding Hood’, ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ and ‘Rupunzel’ all tied together by an original story.

A baker (the wonderful, vulnerable James Corden) and his wife (the fabulously funny Emily Blunt) want a child. Only problem is, a witch (Meryl Streep, whose performance alone is worth the price of admission) has put a curse on the Baker’s family. The witch tells them that she.will lift the curse, if they can bring her several items…A Cow as white as milk…a cape as red as blood…hair as yellow as corn…a slipper pure as gold. The Baker and his wife agree and take off into the woods to search for these items.

Along the way, they encounter Jack,of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ “Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford), Cinderella, (Anna Kendrick) and her handsome, Prince Charming (Chris Pine, who almost steals the film).

Of course a lot more happens…Little Red Riding meets the Big Bad Wolf (Johnny Depp) and Rapunzel (MacKenzie Mauzy, who being held in a tower by the Witch, meets her own Prince (Billy Magunssen) who falls madly in love with her. Princes tend to go for the blonds.

As all this happens, the cast get sing beautiful, funny, poignant songs, bringing to life Stephen Sondheim’s story about the consequences of greed and gluttony,,the need for community and family. and in the end and most important,, growing up and taking responsibility.

Everyone in the cast nails their parts, including Christine Baranski as Cinderella’s wicked stepmother.

‘Into The Woods’ which opens on Christmas day December 25, 2015 is a musical for grownups, but kids will enjoy it, as well..

I gave this film my highest bagel rating…5 out of 5. Do not miss it.