1. All They Are Is Lovely? The Evolution of Sondheim’s Female Characters
By: Kimberly Fulco

2. Thesis
The progression of Sondheim’s women was a rather long, painful process that begins with simply “lovely” women, like A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum’s Philia, and brings us up to date with more developed and rounded characters like the Baker’s Wife and Cinderella from Into the Woods.

3. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
Only 2 main female characters, both portray negative female stereotypes
Philia- nothing but “lovely”
idealized by men
Domina- complete opposite of Philia
nagging wife
looked down upon by men

4. Company Archetypal female characters who only exist to be objectified
April- stereotypical dumb blonde
stewardess, only there for sex appeal (makes up for what she lacks in intelligence)

5. Follies A bit of progress
One stronger female character, one not so much (though it is excused because we feel bad for her)
Phyllis- Uses her meltdown as a way to move on (like the other, male characters)
“Could I Leave You” (apathetic to marriage, but will not leave when asked)
Sally- “losing her mind”
living in the past
trying to recreate fantasies

6. Into the Woods
Finally strong women! (A number of them actually, but we’re going to focus on 2)
The Baker’s Wife- Stronger character than her husband
Disobeys husband
Will do whatever she has to to get what she wants
Cinderella- Runs from prince for most of Act One, then lets him go for their happiness
Helps to defeat giant
Takes on a sort of motherly role in their new “family”

7. Works Cited
Gagnon, Donald P., and Puccio, Paul M. “Waiting for the Girls Upstairs.” The Sondheim Review Vol. 20. Fall Web. 18 Nov
Gelbart, Larry, Shevelove, Burt, and Sondheim, Stephen. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Applause Print.
Kivesto, Lois. “Comedy Tonight!” Stephen Sondheim: A Casebook Web. 16 Nov
Lapine, James, and Sondheim, Stephen. Into the Woods. TCG Print.
McClouskey, Maddie. “In Praise of Women.” The Sondheim Review Vol. 20. Fall Web. 18 Nov
Winer, Laurie. “Why Sondheim’s Women are Different.” The New York Times 26 Nov Web. 20 Nov
Wolf, Stacy Ellen. “Keeping Company with Sondheim’s Women.” The Oxford Handbook of Sondheim Studies. Web. 18 Nov