I always go back to this Original Broadway Cast Recording of Into the Woods. Overall, the cast is great and I just love Bernadette Peters as the witch. Sondheim is a genius, and this is my favorite musical.
I love this musical, and although Meryl Streep does a good job, Bernadette Peters will always be my ideal witch. I think they did a great job adapting the stage version into a movie. I understand why most of the changes were made. The only cut I am disappointed with is the Agony reprise because it is hilarious. I love how the melodies were kept for the cut songs and there is a song from A Little Night Music playing at the ball - that part made my day. Great casting.
I like how instrumentals are included in this recording, but it does make it a bit longer if that is an issue ( I have a 6 CD player). This is a lovely recording, and I am a big Sondheim fan. I can't really sing along to On the Steps of the Palace in this version, though, because they changed it from conditional second person to first person and it always trips me up.
This is the revival cast for Into the Woods. The Original Broadway Cast stars Bernadette Peters (best witch hands down IMO). This recording is great as well. I like it slightly less than the OBC. Vanessa Williams is good, but no Bernadette Peters. Laura Benanti shines as Cinderella and is usually the reason I listen to this version. I'm not a big fan of "Our Little World," which was added for this version. I have all versions of Into the Woods because it is my favorite musical.