The “woods” are a dark, foreboding, mysterious place, but sometimes it’s necessary to brave them to find the key to happiness. For the baker and his wife, who want nothing more than to have a child, it becomes paramount to make that journey.
Follow them as they encounter witches and wolves and shadowy figures in the junior version of the Tony Award-winning show, “Into the Woods,” the upcoming production of Children’s Summer Theatre at Coffeyville Community College.
Directed by John Gray and Allen Twitchell, with Kristi Reedy as accompanist, “Into the Woods Jr.” comes to the stage at Spencer /Rounds Performing Arts Theatre beginning at 7:30 p.m. July 23-25 and at 2 p.m. July 26. There is no charge for admission.
“Into the Woods Jr.” is a child-friendly adaptation of the original – music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine – with the second act removed and the music transposed for younger voices.
The musical intertwines the plots of several Brothers Grimm fairy tales – “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Rapunzel” and “Cinderella" – exploring the consequences of the characters' wishes and quests.
Playing the role of the Baker is Ainsley McKellips with Lena Blackert as the Baker’s Wife. The CST cast also includes Peyton Pauzauskie as Jack, Jenna Speer as Cinderella, Shaimara Hayward as the Witch, Kierstyn Cowles as Rapunzel, Heide Blackert as Little Red Riding Hood, Ashlynne Fontes as the Wolf, Paige Kitterman as both Cinderella’s Stepmother and Granny, Roman Hurwitz as Cinderella’s Prince, Iris Hurwitz as Rapunzel’s Prince, Madigan Phillips as Jack’s Mother, Lucas Frederiksen as Milky White the Cow, Ashleigh Cowles and Addie Mund as Cinderella’s Stepsisters, Allee Erne as Cinderella’s Mother, Grace Wawrzynaik as the Steward, Rica Kirk as the Mysterious Man and Grace Reber as the Narrator.
Creating the “Woods” as the chorus are Brynn Balentine, Maggie Barnett, Cash Brown, Tyge Brown, Ashleigh Cowles, Kaden Cowles, MaKaylah Cowles, Maggie Drysdale, Joley Erne, Lilly Hurwitz, Lenae Ivie, Morgan Lasco, Serenity Ledford, Addie Mund, Alex Plute, Cooper Sprague, Brooke Sykes, Timmy Sykes, Brynlee Taylor, Reagan Wiles and Lawson Wright.
Assisting with the production are students Ahrend Salas and Jesus Medina.
“Into the Woods” debuted in San Diego at the Old Globe Theatre in 1986 and premiered on Broadway on Nov. 5, 1987, where it won several Tony Awards, including Best Score and Best Book.
A film version was released in 2014, grossing more than $212 million worldwide and receiving three Academy Award nominations and three Golden Globe nominations.