The Hope Players' INTO THE WOODS Supports Hope for Change Foundation This Weekend

Local non-profit theater group The Hope Players announces the latest in their signature series of fundraising performances - Stephen Sondheim's and James Lapine's masterpiece Into the Woods. The group is affiliated with The Hope for Change Foundation (HFC) - a Westchester-based non-profit organization that raises money for breast cancer research through theatrical endeavors.

For the past two years, HFC has donated $20,000 to breast cancer research projects conducted at White Plains Hospital. The research is focused on both the physical and mental wellness of those diagnosed with breast cancer. HFC selected these patient focused studies because of their ability to directly impact those in the Westchester community.

Performances will be held tonight, August 15th at 8:00p.m., Saturday, August 16th at 2:00pm and 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, August 17th at 2:00 p.m. at The Westchester Sandbox Theatre, located at 931C East Boston Post Road in Mamaroneck, NY.

Tickets are $20 in advance, and $25 at the door. To purchase advance tickets, call 914-206-9617 or buy online at http://tickets.hopeforchange.org/. Online donations are also possible by visiting http://www.hopeforchange.org/support/.

Into the Woods is directed by Frank Portanova, music directed by Chloe Sasson, and produced by Jason Summers and Jessica Bittner. The cast features local talent from Westchester and New York City including Ruperta Nelson, *Nick Masson, Robyn O'Brien, *Katie Fox-Kirsch, Tim Abrahamsen, Daisy Guevara, Daniel Pivovar, Melissa Trainor, Kyle LaGrutta, Peter Ackerman, Brittney Bara, Marissa Caro, Erica Ackerman, Dakota Martin, Chris Nardi and *Scott Zimmerman.

"We're thrilled to have some Hope veterans return to our stage, while introducing some new performers to the team and the cause" said Gina Noto, President of the Hope For Change Foundation. "It's great to have such an incredibly talented cast who are willing to volunteer their time performing, while being so valuably philanthropic."

In Into the Woods, James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim masterfully weave together the famous fairy tales we know and love as the Baker and his Wife, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack (of the beanstalk), Cinderella and the Witch meet on their respective journeys to 'happily ever after.' However, 'happily ever after' might not turn out to be everything they expected. What begins as a lively irreverent fantasy becomes a moving lesson about community responsibility and the stories we tell our children.

About The Hope For Change Foundation - The Hope For Change Foundation (HFC) is a non-profit organization that raises money for breast cancer research through theatrical endeavors. HFC became a non-profit in 2002, and has since raised over a hundred thousand dollars for its cause which has been donated to a variety of research centers and hospitals. Hope for Change is based in Westchester County and is run by a Board of Directors, all of whom volunteer their time to keep the mission going strong.

*Appears courtesy of Theatre Authority, Inc. and Actors' Equity Association