Florida Rep's INTO THE WOODS, JR. Runs 4/18-19

Florida Rep's Education Department has announced the opening of Stephen Sondheim's INTO THE WOODS, JR.

All of your favorite fairy-tale characters meet and take the stage by storm in this whimsical original story playing April 18 at 7pm and April 19th at 2pm and 7pm in the ArtStage Studio Theatre.

The musical centers on a baker and his wife who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the king's festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a witch's curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse and wind up changed forever. Little Red Riding Hood, the Wolf, Rapunzel, and a few charming princes join in the adventure, and paths cross in an enchanting twist of events.

Into the Woods, Jr.,is presented as part of Florida Rep Education's Theatre Conservatory, an audition-only program that puts young actors onstage. The Conservatory Program is designed to give students an introduction to the professional world with real-life regional theatre experience.

This is Florida Rep's fourth season producing musicals for its highly popular Conservatory Program. "Every year I think, 'Nothing can top this year's kids' and each new year they prove me wrong!" says Education Director, Claire K. Simpson, "The talent and dedication given from the students in the cast is inspiring. Sondheim is hard, but they're tackling it with everything they've got! It's sure to be a treat for audiences."

The production features a company of 16 of Florida Rep's finest young performers ages 9-15. The cast consists of students from Canterbury School, Cypress Lake Center for the Arts, Cypress Lake Middle, Fort Myers Christian, Fort Myers High, North Fort Myers Academy of the Arts, North Fort Myers Center for the Arts, Rayma C. Page, and Saint Michael Lutheran. These young artists auditioned in February with nearly two hundred other students for spots in this competitive Conservatory Program. Over the course of 2 months, the cast of Into the Woods, Jr. has rehearsed with working theatre professionals to learn staging, choreography and music.

Florida Rep's Education Director, Claire K. Simpson (A Mark Twain Storybook; You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown), directed the production, and was joined by an expert team including music director, Matt Koller; choreographer, Asst. Director, and stage manager, Allison Popieski; set designer, Bruce R. Bailey; lighting designer, Tim Cobb, and costume designer, Aimee Rabbitt.

Into the Woods, Jr.,book by James Lapine, music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, is based on classic fairy tales. It plays in the ArtStage Studio Theatre for 3 performances only on Friday, April 18th at 7pm and on Saturday, April 19th at 2pm & 7pm. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students and are available online at www.floridarep.org or by calling the Box Office at 239-332-4488.

Florida Rep's Educational programming is generously sponsored by the Alliance for the Arts; LCEC; the City of Fort Myers Public Art Committee; FineMark National Bank & Trust; The Claiborne & Ned Foulds Foundation; Bonney Leckie, Realtor/Century 21 Selling Paradise; State of Florida/Division of Cultural Affairs; and Arthur Zupko.