SCOOP: Meryl Streep to Play the Witch in INTO THE WOODS Film; Arranger David Krane Confirms!

As BroadwayWorld.com reported back in October exclusively, Meryl Streep will play the witch in the INTO THE WOODS film.

In a new interview with the Litchfield County Times with arranger David Krane confirms, telling the paper that:

"I am coming into an exciting time," said Mr. Krane in a telephone interview from New York City. "My show, "The Road to Qatar,' is being presented in London next month and then I am doing a revival of an old show, 'Good News' at the Goodspeed Opera House. And then the biggest news-they are doing a movie of the musical 'Into the Woods.' Disney is going to make the movie and I will do the arrangements. Meryl Streep will be the witch and it will be the first time I have worked with her since 1977 when we did 'Happy End.'"

Mr. Krane remembers happily his association with the young Ms. Streep and looks forward to the new collaboration. Similarly, he is enthusiastic about working again with director and choreographer Rob Marshall, with whom he worked on the Oscar-winning film, "Chicago" and "Nine."

It was announced back in June that Rob Marshall has made Stephen Sondheim's INTO THE WOODS his next project at Warner Bros/Disney - and a starry reading kicked the project off.

BroadwayWorld confirmed that the cast of a screenplay reading, which took place in October, included (in alphabetical order): Nina Arianda as The Baker's Wife; Christine Baranski as the Stepmother; Tammy Blanchard as Florinda; Victoria Clark as Cinderella's Mother/Giant; James Corden as the Baker; David Garrison as the Narrator; Ivan Hernandez as the Wolf; Megan Hilty as Lucinda; Cheyenne Jackson as Rapunzel's Prince; Allison Janney as Jack's Mother; Anna Kendrick as Cinderella; Michael McGrath as the Steward/Baker's Father; Donna Murphy as the Witch; Laura Osnes as Rapunzel; Taylor Trensch as Jack; Casey Whyland as Little Red Riding Hood; and Patrick Wilson as Cinderella's Prince.

James Lapine, the original book writer of INTO THE WOODS, is reworking the script for the screenplay, while Sondheim is expected to contribute some new songs.

Marshall's films have been honored with a total of 23 Academy Award nominations - winning nine, including Best Picture. His most recent film, "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" starring Johnny Depp and Penelope Cruz, has grossed over one billion dollars at the worldwide box office becoming the "8th Highest Grossing Picture in History." He is currently developing "The Thin Man" starring Johnny Depp.

Marshall's film "Nine" was nominated for four Academy Awards, five Golden Globes and 10 Critics Choice Awards. His previous directorial efforts include the Academy Award-winning films "Chicago" and "Memoirs of a Geisha." For his work on "Chicago," winner of six Oscars including Best Picture, Marshall received the Directors Guild Award, an Oscar nomination, a Golden Globe Award nomination, a BAFTA nomination, The National Board of Review Award and the New York Film Critics Online Award, both for best directorial debut, as well as the American Choreography Award. His epic film "Memoirs of a Geisha" was the winner of three Oscars, three BAFTA Awards and a Golden Globe. Both "Memoirs of a Geisha" and "Chicago" were nominated for CAS Awards.

Marshall executive produced, directed and choreographed the NBC television event "Tony Bennett: An American Classic." He won his second Directors Guild Award for this production as well as three Emmy Awards himself for Direction, Choreography and Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special. He directed and choreographed Disney/ABC's critically acclaimed movie musical "Annie," which received 12 Emmy nominations, a CAS nomination and won the prestigious Peabody Award. Former CAS President Edward L. Moskowitz commented, "It was to great to work with Rob Marshall on "Annie". Rob's depth of experience in live entertainment enhanced his inspirational leadership on the set and I am proud that the Cinema Audio Society has decided to honor him with our Filmmaker Award."

A six-time Tony Award nominee and George Abbott Award winner, Marshall's stage work includes co-directing and choreographing the worldwide award-winning Broadway production of "Cabaret" and directing and choreographing the Broadway revival of "Little Me," starring Martin Short. He made his Broadway choreographic debut with "Kiss of the Spider Woman," directed by Harold Prince, which also played London's West End and Vienna. He followed that with productions of "She Loves Me" on Broadway and London; "Damn Yankees" on Broadway, National Tour and London; Blake Edwards' "Victor/Victoria" on Broadway; "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" on Broadway; "Company" on Broadway; "The Petrified Forest" at the New York Public Theatre, and "Promises, Promises" for City Center Encores! Additional choreography credits include the Disney/ABC movie musical "Cinderella" (Emmy nomination), the CBS movie musical "Mrs. Santa Claus"(Emmy nomination), and The Kennedy Center Honors (Kander & Ebb and Chita Rivera tributes).

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos