Sondheim to Streep "Don't F*** It Up!"
Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at 10:41PM 
I am normally loathe to share soundbyte interviews from TV -- especially when I have full delicious ones to offer with a whole slew of actors (soon, darlings, soon) -- but this little bit with Meryl Streep explaining what it's like to play Violet Weston is choice. The 'shiv in her hair' reference is perfect. But mostly I dug her enthusiasm about Into the Woods. Hey I'd squeal too if Sondheim wrote a new song for me!
He only asks that Meryl not fuck it up. (That's all we ask too) Which delights her. Because Meryl is delightful.
Sondheim already has an Oscar (for Dick Tracy's "Sooner or Later") but whatever it is he's written for the Witch will probably win him a second if the movie is popular and if the song is a worthy companion to the witch's other musical numbers. I'm curious why there's a new song since the musical is already lengthy. Might it be a *gasp* replacement (?) because the Witch already has quite a few numbers even if some are brief (The "Greens Greens" section in Act 1 - Prologue, "Our Little World," "Stay With Me," "Witches Lament," which later morphs into the "Children Will Listen" finale and the awesome "Last Midnight".
And now I'm humming to myself. So here's a little Bernadette Peters (the original and still supreme Witch) with "Witch's Lament"
Reader Comments (24)
Now you have me convinced Last Midnight has been replaced because Meryl couldn't sing it.
It's always nice to see someone who's been lauded so much still get so excited. I get a kick out of it.
Countdown to 3rtful saying something vicious and hateful about her or blaming her for an incipient viral plague in 3...2...1...
robert g -- there would be no point in even into the wood existing without Last Midnight. worry not. it couldn't be.
flickah - HA!
I just love this woman. Everything about her.
There's simply no one like Meryl, I can't wait to see her in this role, and yes, delightful is a good word to describe her, just listen to that squeal haha, priceless.
I think she will not f--- it up
She is amazing at almost
everything she tackles as an actress.
I love her
"I'm curious why there's a new song " Nat, you answered this question in the previous sentence: Oscar.
She does public very well.
Flickah - It's called freedom of speech!
Poor actors. To deal with certain interviewers...
He should be telling that to Rob Marshall.
I love her. and may she continue to take one lead part a year even if that means other actresses don't get to work as much (yes, meryl doing ONE part a year takes a whole generation of actresses out of work -- it's her fault!!).
Flickah--classic.
:::Cue the RuPaul meme::.
This is one of the many reasons I (we) love Meryl!
I'll give the movie an automatic D for Dumbass if they do excise Last Midnight. Like the Witch says, "sometimes what you wish for..... are not meant to be touched."
LOL to Marcelo.
Love her!
Now where is Nathaniel's August OC review??!! 😊
I love Meryl. But God bless it, I wish SO MUCH Jessica Lange was playing this part. Sigh.
Even when she's miscast, she's still not bad, so effing up the role is so minimal a concern as to be virtually insignificant. Despite my last two years of Streep fatigue, she is terribly difficult to dislike as a personality because she comes off as genuinely gracious and generous.
As an aside, this film adaptation makes me yearn for a stage revival with Sara Ramirez as the Witch.
Jamie -- well. it's like this. the film doesn't come out till Christmas so it seems weird for literally everyone to review it before then. who will be left for its opening weekend reviews ;) ?
I've read they're submitting August as a Comedy. I think it's quite absurd, am I wrong? Is the movie that different?
Nathaniel- Good Point! Hoping you liked Meryl's performance 😊
peggy sue -- well really the play is very funny so i dont object