Sondheim Hid a Puzzle in INTO THE WOODS

[@scottekim]

I loved learning how Sondheim's puzzle making figures in his musicals. I quote his comments about puzzle making often, but this is the first time I've heard about a specific embedded puzzle in one of his musicals. I love how you opened with the GAPES double definition and end with ESCHEW. Great pay off.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Oh wow, thank you for seeing the structure there! We should definitely get your comments about Sondheim's puzzles in a future video!

[@fredrickcampbell8198]

My vocabulary did not include eschew before watching this video.

[@bfish89ryuhayabusa]

I'll note that, at the end of "Steps of the Palace", Cinderella's progress is demonstrated by her expanded range, the song ending with her holding on a high note she had barely touched before.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Good point!

[@nataliealaby6516]

Did anyone notice that the cadence for Steps of the Palace represents Cinderella walking/limping with one high heeled shoe? It’s very subtle.

[@DamnGleeks]

The way I gasped and grinned continuously throughout the video, I love when people dissect Sondheim's work and reveal all these hidden treasures.

[@allisonbergh4429]

The steps being so integral to the journey, both literally and figuratively AND musically, makes the treadmill used in the original Broadway production an interesting thing to ponder

[@kayjay27]

Man, the more I learn about Into the Woods, the more I fall in love with it!! Thank you for another brilliant video :)

[@sydposting]

Sondheim's cameo in "Glass Onion" makes so much more sense now! Benoit Blanc sings "Losing My Mind" from Follies in the first movie and I assumed that was the only reason.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Yes, and in fact, the entire film of Glass Onion is a tribute to Sondheim's screenplay for The Last of Sheila which has a very similar plot!

[@Glindaful]

I cant really describe how happy these analysis make me. They tickle such a specific musical theatre lover nerve in all our brains. Thank you! So here for the whole series.

[@Dinuial]

A word about that crossword clue. It is important to know that it is a CRYPTIC clue. A basic crossword clue doesn't get more complex than asking for a double meaning. A cryptic clue is broken into 2 parts; the meaning of the word intended to be filled in as an answer, and a wordplay section that needs to be dissected.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Yes, good context!

[@bfish89ryuhayabusa]

Yeah, I didn't consider interpreting it as a cryptic until he dissected the second half, and then I started looking around for anything that would have indicated it as such.

[@roybarkan]

And here I thought I understood sondheim💀

[@artisannoteworthy]

There is no understanding Sondheim. Not really. ^^

[@chandragreenberg9109]

I love Into the Woods! One question I had is about the 3 lesson songs - I personally think there are 4 lesson songs because I would count the baker’s wife’s song “Moments In The Woods” as a lesson song. The final lyrics include the phrase “now I understand” and it seems the general format of the song is similar to the other lesson songs in terms of the way she is working something out for herself and singing to the audience. Is there a reason why this song wouldn’t be included in among the lesson songs?

[@HowardHoMusic]

And "Moments in the Woods" does have the galumphing accompaniment figure too! And it begins as a lesson song, i.e. reflecting on a lesson of something that just happened, but then Sondheim says she quickly transitions into dealing with returning to the present and being in the "moment." So it has some of the same elements as the lesson songs but with a twist.

[@gailleondar-wright2778]

Howard, this is fantastic. I love how you took a notion that David floated and Bway Con and methodically expanded on it. Your technical explanation is so clear, thanks to your visuals. Really terrific work, Howard (And I am proud to be an extra in your video.)

[@HowardHoMusic]

Haha! You're FAR from an extra, and when I talk more about Broadwaycon, I hope to give you more of a shout out as well!

[@gailleondar-wright2778]

We are all extras in somebody else's story :) Really, it was a pleasure to present with you. @@HowardHoMusic

[@wsteed6284]

What does a shoe leave behind? Prints! (Prince!)

[@carolineh8713]

Finger prints? (Showing my age!)

[@Landis963]

@@carolineh8713 "I don't think so."

[@ShaharHarshuv]

I want to mention that double meaning in musical lyrics is usually frowned upon because it can be confusing and the audience might not follow. But here there is a clear face meaning that is immediately understood, so it's not a problem

[@bityew]

Brilliant! Sondheim works on sooo many levels!

[@adrianghandtchi1562]

God, there are so many layers. It took me a while to even get into what everything means from my favorite musical and here you go throwing in a curveball I fear I’m just too simple minded to even think of this.

[@kazza6078]

Let me just go scream into the sky about how much i love musicals real quick

[@Exiled.New.Yorker]

I love watching musicians actually LOOK at Sondheim and have their minds blown.

[@ashershectman1954]

I found a potential double meaning in Sweeney Todd while reading FTH the other day. In Pretty Women when Sweeney whistles and they discuss the source of their joy, the Judge says “the blood to pound, the heart leap higher”, which I’ve always heard as the different - but equally applicable - “the blood to pound the heartly pyre.” I don’t know how intentional this was, but knowing Sondheim’s affinity for cryptic crosswords and parsing, I wouldn’t put it past him a bit.

[@HowardHoMusic]

Ohhh...interesting.

[@FrenkTheJoy]

Wait that's what the lyrics actually are?? I've only ever heard it as "heartly pyre".

[@sydposting]

@@FrenkTheJoy Same!! I guess these are all just cases in point.

[@sgste]

It's stuff like this that makes one stop and go; "Oh yeah, for a second there, I forgot Sondheim was a musical genius!" Thanks for the reminder! Great video!

[@seantodd8875]

OMG this was wonderful! Great arguments, very well presented. And I can't believe I never picked up on "eschew" before!

[@jacquelinefu3534]

I love love love Into the Woods and I never realized this… This is amazing, thank you for sharing!! Looking forward to more videos!

[@Aaron_J_Theater]

You're just helping my problem of gobbling up any Sondheim content I can - thank you.

[@hilarymoonmurphy]

Oh I am so excited to hear you analyze "Into the Woods!" I just wish that the KZbin algorithm had shown me this earlier. I would love to see more Into the Woods content - though this one did not have as much engagement as it should have!

[@Cutiemuffinz]

Thank you for finally explaining this! I never really appreciated into the woods, and I didn’t get why people got so excited about it. Now it’s exciting to me, and I can look at it again with a new appreciation.

[@mayabairey]

Another genius video, I would NEVER have realized that on my own!

[@sisivincent4347]

Into the Woods is my all-time favorite musical!!! I was hoping for this video!

[@johnshoemakerpbc]

Wow never connected these. Total genius. Wow.

[@kelvinkao7436]

I love this! How you expanded on the musical terms used in the lyrics correspond to the things in the music. Bonus for the moment captured on video of Howard thinking about this idea right as it happens. And "pitch perfect", what a clue you left about who to cast to play Cinderella!

[@DavidBenkof]

Yes, I had noticed that lightbulb go off in Howard's head as I spoke, and I love how he highlights that moment in the video.

[@HowardHoMusic]

I remember thinking, "Why didn't I think of that?"

[@haley551]

I’m excited for your series about Sondheim, I’m a huge fan of his and your musical analysis videos always leave me feeling awed and inspired

[@SpectrumArtStudio]

Love the pace - learnt so much 👍🏻

[@bfish89ryuhayabusa]

With a shoe, she eschews the issue

[@belle132]

This is incredible! Thank you so much for sharing. Sondheim was a genius.

[@emma124]

I just found this channel and I've been watching every video while freaking out. I don't know a lot about music theory but it's all so fascinating to me, and I adore Sondheim. I can't wait for more videos about his music!!!

[@kaydinyounger6087]

Everytime i think i understand this man’s mind I get knocked back 20 steps, what a genius

[@anapaulinacantugarcia9746]

This is AMAZING! I would looooove to see a video of you analyzing Sunday in the Park with George 😍

[@HowardHoMusic]

I will definitely talk about Sunday at some point!

[@musicfanboy4477]

YOU DONT KNOW HOW HAPPY THIS MAKES MY SILLY LITTLE SONDHEIM MIND. THANK YOU 💙

[@LaLayla99]

More Sondheim is always a great thing! 😍

[@ameliegifford1477]

A Sondheim series? LET'S GOOO I'm so keen

[@zunbarg]

This was WONDERFUL. Thank you

[@justanotheryoutubechannel8319]

Yay! An into the woods video!! Great way to start the day

[@ha_tinkerer1191]

You opened up my mind to this show, which I first saw during the original run. Thanks, please keep the excellent videos coming.

[@thespibunny272]

All of this just makes me so happy! Thank you for your incredible videos!

[@alicialudden9994]

Daaaaaanng! Well done, sir!

[@matthewreed8036]

Such a good video! Excited for the Sondheim series!

[@cindiverbelun1802]

Damn Howard, that was BRILLIANT!!!❤❤❤

[@julianasilveira4806]

your channel is just... sublime

[@cinnamonroo]

i broke my brain trying to answer this question... is trolls in the musical theatre universe?

[@HowardHoMusic]

Great question!

[@bwaySHO]

This is fascinating, thanks for sharing!

[@TomIdelson]

This was brilliant!!! Thank you 😊

[@lieselottebreure5435]

Please do the sondheim videos. Love this a lot

[@Aaliyah-Jack]

I like this story it a twist to every scene 🎬 and well thought out.

[@dommagwili2486]

Brilliant, Howard!

[@ryanadams4812]

I am in awe

[@kazza6078]

I have cute aggression but its over how much i love analysis of musicals

[@Silensy]

Ah yes, the vamp...also where the toe box ends on a shoe.

[@davidfranklin5426]

Sondheim’s cryptic crosswords are amazing, but Richard Maltby’s are even better!

[@GalorOmer]

Looking forward for your analysis of Merrily We Roll Along, an underrated gem. I'm sure there are many clues to unravel there ;)

[@studyingthehat]

1:00 Is that from a physical copy of Sondheim’s Crossword Puzzles?? I’ve only seen the NY Magazine column. Great video!

[@HowardHoMusic]

Thanks! To be clear, I don't own one. Wish I did though!

[@cheezyb92]

Held my breath the whole video for Enchanted bridge 😭😭

[@katekramer7679]

Well gat dang. This is brilliant!

[@amysirawskyofficial]

Thank you.

[@rgarney]

More like this please!

[@ginonovanta]

Lucky me i didn't find about this when i was writing my graduation paper about this show or i should have included it ! XD

[@dogvom]

_ESCHEW_ as a homophone for "a shoe" would never have occurred to me, as I pronounce it "ess-TCHOO".

[@codyeasonBGR]

This sounds fun

[@VickyG212]

When are we getting more Sondheim analysis ?🥰

[@darkartsninja]

When will you cover the rest of the SIX songs?

[@jito7377]

Please keep going

[@Robynhoodlum]

Pitch perfect? So that’s why they picked Anna Kendrick?

[@HowardHoMusic]

LOL...nice!

[@brucequinn]

Super.

[@The.Lilomay]

Did I just learn dating advice from Sondheim?

[@HowardHoMusic]

LOL...btw, have you seen Company? It's got even more advice on relationships!

[@The.Lilomay]

@@HowardHoMusic one of my favorite

[@cassandramiller4477]

But Sondheim didn't write the lyrics for the show. James Lapine did. I don't doubt that the two of them could have cooked this up together, but credit where credit's due?

[@gregorywiederecht]

Oh no no no no. Sondheim wrote the lyrics and the music. James Lapine wrote the book!

[@cassandramiller4477]

@@gregorywiederechtI sit corrected!

[@HowardHoMusic]

I don't think Sondheim ever wrote music for someone else's lyrics, although he was quite famous for writing lyrics for other people's music on West Side Story, Gypsy, and Do I Hear a Waltz?

[@mygoat0604]

Yum

[@emilyrln]

That is an evil, _evil_ crossword clue 😂

[@HowardHoMusic]

Mwhahahaha!

[@MichaelYoder1961]

Stephen was too clever by half

[@PILOSOPAUL]

Just hate that the movie gave it no justice at some crucial parts

[@alicialudden9994]

Yes we want more Sondheim analysis! Just saw the new gender-flipped Company on tour… analyze Company please!!! 😁😁

[@HowardHoMusic]

Company is one of my favorites! I promise to cover it at some point.

[@animalamy8557]

Can you please do a video about Charlie and the chocolate factory?

[@ellenspear50]

Sweeney Todd?

[@Aaliyah-Jack]

If you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 NIV☁️💖☁️

[@roberthudson6284]

Into The woods is about the September 11 pranks. There's an exclusive club of artsy insiders. Sondheim was a member.

[@FrenkTheJoy]

He wrote a show in the mid-80s about something that happened in 2001?

[@roberthudson6284]

@@FrenkTheJoy How?

[@sfdntk]

Americans finding out about cryptic crosswords for the first time is always good for a laugh.