Why did Sondheim write into the woods?

Also asked, why did Stephen Sondheim write into the woods?

According to Sondheim and Lapine, Into the Woods came about because Sondheim wanted to write a "quest" musical (where the characters went on a journey to find something, like in The Wizard of Oz), and Lapine had the desire to write a fairytale.

Secondly, what is into the woods a metaphor for? To go into the woods is a metaphor for a dangerous, challenging quest where one has no idea of the outcome -- or if you will even survive the journey.

Correspondingly, what is the message of Into the Woods?

“Be careful what you wish for” seems to be the ongoing theme in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Brothers Grimm inspired musical, Into the Woods. The story follows The Baker and his wife who wish to have a child, Cinderella who wishes to go the King's Festival, and Jack who wishes his cow would give some milk.

When did Sondheim write into the woods?

Into the Woods, published in 1986, is a collaborative work by Stephen Sondheim (music and lyrics) and James Lapine (story). It was the product of a workshop at Playwrights Horizon in New York City, and was first produced in San Diego in 1986.