DAVE STEAKLEY, Producing Artistic Director
JAMIE HERLICH, Managing Director

INTO THE WOODS JR.
A Student Production

Book by James lapine
music and lyrics by Stephen sondheim
Co-Directed by JOSH WECHSLER and NAT MILLER
Musical Direction by jenN Goodner
Choreographer supervisor jen young mahlstedt
student choreographer blakEney Mahlstedt

Thank you to St. Edwards University, The University of Texas, 
and Texas State University for providing costume pieces for this production. 

Additional special thanks to Stephanie Smith and Chase Brewer 
for additional props support.

NOELLA CHIPMAN (Wolf/Ensemble) ZACH Debut. REGIONAL: Little Mermaid (Chef Louis, Ensemble) at The McColough Theatre, Little Shop of Horrors (Seymour) at The Forrest Kline Performing Arts Center. Thanks to those who pushed me to better, to all of the people at ZACH and ZACH Academy who have allowed me to take part in this program, to everyone who made this show possible, to our direction team, and to my family for always supporting my winding journey!

SAMARI DAVIS (Jack’s Mom) - ZACH: THE PROM (Shelby), PPC’s Back to Broadway, Invincible: STORIES OF RESILIENCE, and Stronger: Who I am (Dance Captain).ADDITIONAL CREDITS: MacTheatre’s PIPPIN (featured dancer/ensemble) SWEET CHARITY (Alice), SEUSSICAL (Asst. Choreographer); Zach Pre-Professional Elite Company Member, Josh Wechsler Voice Studio. Thanks to my family, friends, and ZPAA! @samari.davis

MOLLY JO FRANS (Sleeping Beauty/Ensemble) ZACH: KALEIDOSCOPE (featured performer). REGIONAL: ARTS FOR AUTISM (featured performer) at New Amsterdam Theatre. ADDITIONAL CREDITS: COMMUNITY: HADESTOWN (Hermes), CINDERELLA (Cinderella /Choreographer), LITTLE  WOMEN (Jo March), WHITE CHRISTMAS (Rita), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Dancing elf/ensemble), BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Silly girl/dance captain), SUESSICAL (Mayzie/choreographer). Thank you everyone who made this possible and believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself, and to the Lord for all He’s done for me. Phil. 4:6-7, @_mollyjofrans

SKY GONZALES (Rapunzel/Cinderella’s Mother/Ensemble) (ZACH: STRONGER WHO I AM (Elite Company), THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Lead Helper Bee, U/S Olive/Leaf/Marcy), INVINCIBLE: STORIES OF RESILIENCE (B Company). COMMUNITY: THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Marta), CABARET (Helga), SWEENEY TODD (Ensemble).  FILM CREDITS: PANIC (Amazon Prime - Recurring Extra), SUPERBAD’S VISUALS (Bully), FROM THE DINING TABLE (Director/Producer).  Member of ZACH’s Pre-Professional Program. I would like to thank my family, friends, and teachers for all their endless support. Sky.Gonzales.

WILKES GOODNER (The Baker) - ZACH: THE PROM (Kevin), STRONGER: WHO I AM (PPC 2024), THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE - ZACH ACADEMY (Barfée),  INVINCIBLE: STORIES OF RESILIENCE (PPC 2023), BACK TO BROADWAY (PPC 2022), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Ensemble), MIXTAPE: VOL 2. (PPC 2021),  FEEDBACK (PPC 2019), CAT IN THE HAT (Boy), THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR (Orange), JUNGALBOOK (Understudy), MATILDA THE MUSICAL (Bruce), BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Chip), PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT (Benji). FILM: (SUMMER STOCK AUSTIN) HOW TO MUSICAL THEATRE (Marvin). Wilkes is a Senior at ZACH Academy and so proud to be a member of ZACH Pre-Professional Company. Thank you Ms. Jen and Mr. Josh being the best teachers and for encouraging me always. Grateful for my friends and family!

OWEN GRIFFIN (Cinderella’s Prince) ZACH Academy debut as a Junior! ZACH PPC: Mixtape Vol. II, Back to Broadway, Invincible: Stories of Resilience, Stronger: Who I am (Ensemble) EDUCATIONAL: Seussical (Horton), Pippin (Ensemble) at McCallum FAA. Thanks to my friends, family, and mentors that helped me become who I am today, I love you guys. @heyitsowen

ALEXANDRA GUERRERO (Cinderella) – ZACH: A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD (Mouse), THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Olive’s Mom/U/S Rona), STRONGER WHO I AM (B Company), COMMUNITY: THE WIZARD OF OZ (Dorothy), THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER (Imogene Herdman). Alexandra Guerrero is a junior at ZACH Academy and is also a member of ZACH Theater’s Pre-Professional Company. Alexandra would like to thank her family, friends and teachers for their endless support! Instagram: @alexandra.guerrer0

CAELEY HARDY (Granny/Snow White/Ensemble) - SHE KILLS MONSTERS (Kaliope) at the UT Summer Intensive; MUSIC MAN (Mrs. Paroo) at the Greater Austin Dance Academy; NEWSIES (Jack Kelly) at Zach North Academy; PRINCE OF EGYPT (Ensemble) at iTheatrics New York. Thanks to Stephanie Smith and Kristin Burritt for being super supportive and wonderful chauffeurs. To my family, I love you.

ARIA LEE (Little Red Riding Hood/Makeup Design) - ZACH: PPC SHOWCASE- STRONGER-WHO I AM (Ensemble); A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD (Ensemble-Mouse), THE 25TH PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Rona, Logainne u/s), PPC SHOWCASE-INVINCIBLE: STORIES OF RESILIENCE (Ensemble), CAT IN THE HAT (Thing 2), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Ensemble), PPC SHOWCASE: BACK TO BROADWAY (Ensemble) ADDITIONAL CREDITS: (Film/TV)–Cryptic Tryptic (Grace-Lead),  Elephant! (Leslie-Supporting). Thank you so much to my friends and family for being my biggest supporters and for probably being the audience right now! @ariaonstage

ERIC JUDGE (Narrator) ZACH: THE PROM (Student Ensemble), PPC SHOWCASE: STRONGER (Company Member), PPC SHOWCASE: INVINCIBLE (Company Member) ADDITIONAL CREDITS: SWEET CHARITY (Oscar) at McCallum Fine Arts Academy. Huge thanks to my parents, Josh, and the entire company of Into The Woods! IG: @ericwjudge

BLAKENEY MAHLSTEDT (The Witch/Student Choreographer) ZACH: THE PROM (Alyssa Greene) THE GIRL WHO BECAME LEGEND (Raina), MATILDA (Lavender), THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE (Haro), SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE (Louise), MARY POPPINS (Jane), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Fan, Want), JUNGALBOOK  (Humancub/Mowgli), and THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Leaf Coneybear). Regional: KENNEDY CENTER: THE GIRL WHO BECAME LEGEND (Raina). Blakeney is also a senior in ZACH Theatre’s Pre-professional company (PPC). ADDITIONAL CREDITS: Summer Stock Austin Allen Robertson and Damon Brown’s original musical Haunted (Vega) and original movie Scout (Scout). Blakeney would love to thank her friends and family for all of their support!

LUCIANA MARINARI (Baker’s Wife) ZACH: THE PROM (Ensemble); CAT IN THE HAT (Thing One); A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Ensemble); ZACH Performing Arts Academy: 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre); PPC: Invincible: Stories of Resilience, Back to BroadwaY and Mixtape Vol 2. REGIONAL: ANNIE (Annie) TexARTS Professional Series; THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Liesl u/s) Georgetown Palace Theatre. ADDITIONAL CREDITS: FILM: The Trial of Alice (Alice); Apollo 10 ½ (Neighborhood Friend). Thank you to my teachers and my family for all your support and guidance!

NICHOLAS MONCIVALLES (The Steward)MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (Don Pedro),  MURDER BY MAGIC (Morgo/George), 39 STEPS (Milkman/Newscaster) at ZACH Acting Conservatory; KALEIDOSCOPE (Kevin/Jacob), HOPE (Captain Hook) at Zach North Musical Theatre Company. Thank you to my friends and family for their love and support, especially H.

JACHIN PAGEL (Lucinda) - MEAN GIRLS (Karen), NEWSIES (Race) ANNE OF GREEN GABLES (Anne) Thank you to my parents, friends and teachers for always supporting me.

CAMERON REDWINE (Rapunzel’s Prince /Cinderella’s Stepmother) - ZACH: 2024 PROM (Ensemble), 2023 THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Panch), CAT IN THE HAT (Boy), 2021 CHRISTMAS CAROL (Ensemble); 2019 CHRISTMAS CAROL (Peter Cratchit, Ensemble), MATILDA (Eric), SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN (Young Cosmos). REGIONAL: Zilker Theater: THE WIZARD OF OZ (Munchkin), Gloria Delgado Theater: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM (Pseudolous).  Cameron is a high school senior at the ZACH Academy and 8th year student in ZACH’s Pre-Professional Company. He wishes to thank his incredible teachers and his fellow actors for their unwavering support.

VIVIAN TONEY (Florinda) ZACH Debut! MEAN GIRLS (Janice) at West Wood. Vivian is blessed to be apart of this program and thankful to everyone who has continued to support her to this point. So grateful for all the friends she has met. Love you all!

ALEXANDRA WATSON (Jack / Giant’s Voice) ZACH: THE PROM (Ensemble/ Kaylee and Shelby Understudy), THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Marcy Park), CAT IN THE HAT (Thing 1), A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Belinda Cratchit/ Ensemble), INVINCIBLE: STORIES OF RESILIENCE (B Company), BACK TO BROADWAY (A company), MIXTAPE VOL. 2  (A company). REGIONAL: SUMMER STOCK AUSTIN’S GREASE (Ensemble). I am so excited to be doing this show with all my best friends! 

 JAMES LAPINE is a playwright and director. On Broadway he worked with Stephen Sondheim on Sunday in the Park with George; Into the Woods; and Passion. He also conceived and directed the musical review Sondheim on Sondheim. With William Finn he created Falsettos, recently revived by Lincoln Center Theater; Little Miss Sunshine; Muscle; and directed Finn's The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Other Broadway credits include his play based on Moss Hart's memoir Act One (also LCT), Amour, The Diary of Anne Frank, Golden Child, and Dirty Blonde. He has written the plays Table Settings, Twelve Dreams, The Moment When, Fran's Bed and Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing. Lapine has been nominated for 11 Tony Awards, winning on three occasions. He has also been the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize and SDC's Mr. Abbott Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theater, and has been inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame.

STEPHEN SONDHEIM wrote the music and lyrics for Saturday Night (1954), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1962), Anyone Can Whistle (1964), Company (1970), FOLLIES (1971), A Little Night Music (1973), The Frogs(1974), Pacific Overtures(1976), Sweeny Todd (1979), Merrily We Roll Along (1981), Sunday in the Park with George (1984), Into the Woods(1987), Assassins(1991), Passion (1994) and Road Show (2008) as well as lyrics for West Side Story (1957), Gyspy (1959) and Do I Hear a Waltz (1965) and additional lyrics for Candide (1973). Anthologies of his work include Side by Side by Sondheim (1976), Marry Me a Little (1981), You're Gonna Love Tomorrow (1983), Putting It Together (1993/99) and Sondheim on Sondheim (2010). He composed the scores of the films "Stavisky"(1974) and "Reds"(1981) and songs for "Dick Tracy"(1990) and the television production "Evening Primrose"(1966). His collected lyrics with 6 attendant essays have been published in two volumes: "Finishing the Hat" (2010) and "Look, I Made a Hat"(2011). In 2010, Broadway's Henry Miller's Theatre was renamed The Stephen Sondheim Theatre in his honor; in 2019, London's Queens Theatre was also renamed the Sondheim. 

Into the Woods Jr. Synopsis

The story begins with several familiar characters expressing their wishes. Cinderella longs to attend the King's Festival, Jack hopes his cow, Milky-White, will give milk, and the Baker and his Wife wish for a child. Little Red Riding Hood visits the bakery on her way to Granny’s house, while Jack is sent by his Mother to sell their cow at the market. The Baker and his Wife are visited by a Witch, who reveals that a curse she placed on the Baker’s family prevents them from having children. To break the curse, the couple must gather four magical items: a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn, and a slipper as pure as gold.  

As the Baker embarks on his quest, his Wife secretly joins him, and they cross paths with other characters in the woods. Jack sells Milky-White for a handful of beans, Cinderella receives a magical dress and slippers from her mother’s spirit, and Little Red Riding Hood escapes the Wolf with the Baker’s help, giving him her red cape in gratitude. Rapunzel, revealed to be the Baker’s sister, is discovered by a Prince, but the Witch punishes her defiance by cutting off her hair and exiling her. Jack climbs a beanstalk to retrieve gold from a giant, hoping to buy back his cow, while the Baker’s Wife tries unsuccessfully to steal Cinderella’s golden slipper. The couple soon realizes they need each other’s help to complete the task ("It Takes Two").  

With the four items gathered, the Witch lifts the curse, regains her youth and beauty, but loses her powers. Rapunzel’s tears heal her Prince’s blindness, and Cinderella decides to stay with her Prince, bringing happiness to both couples. The Baker and his Wife, now expecting a child, reflect on their journey, while the Narrator reminds the audience that everyone must face challenges and uncertainties throughout life. The musical ends with a message about responsibility, resilience, and learning from the past to navigate the future.  

Characters in the Show

The Narrator/Mysterious Man - The narrators are the storytellers who speak directly to the audience. They help control the pacing of the show pop in and out throughout the story. The narrator also becomes the mysterious man, and just like the name suggests, this is mysterious in nature. Everything he does is to help the Baker, but he does not explain his motives until the last moment. 

Cinderella - Cinderella is a simple peasant girl whose one wish is to go to the Festival. Unfortunately, when her wish comes true she learns that wishes sometimes come with consequences. Cinderella’s inner beauty always shines through her sometimes clumsy and awkward exterior. 

Jack - Jack is an energetic young man who is always looking for an adventure. He begins this show as a simple little boy (his best friend is a cow), but by the end of the show he learns a few valuable lessons. 

Jack’s Mother - Raising a son and running a farm all by herself has made Jack's Mother a bit frazzled and overworked. 

Baker - The Baker is a good-hearted, likable person who believes he can take on the Witch’s curse all by himself. At first, this confidence and his desire to have a child drives him, but he soon learns he needs his wife’s help to accomplish the goal. 

Baker’s Wife - The Baker's Wife is a strong, determined and loving woman whose desire to have a child drives the action of the whole show. 

Cinderella’s Stepmother - Cinderella's Stepmother is a mean, evil woman who only cares about her birth children, daughters Florinda and Lucinda. 

Florinda & Lucinda (Cinderella’s stepsisters) - Cinderella's stepsisters are spoiled brats who care only about themselves and marry Cinderella's Prince for themselves.  

Witch - The Witch is an ancient, mysterious and manipulative woman who will do anything possible to regain her beauty and protect Rapunzel. 

Cinderella’s Mother – Cinderella’s mother has passed away. She appears to Cinderella as a ghost and as her conscience.

Wolf - The Wolf is a sly and dangerous character who attacks Little Red Ridinghood and her Granny. 

Granny - Granny is a feisty woman who is not afraid to fight the Wolf face to face. Rapunzel - Rapunzel has been stuck in a tower for the majority of her life. Finally, she stands up to the Witch in order to get out and see the world.

Rapunzel’s Prince - Rapunzel's Prince is the pompous and arrogant brother of Cinderella’s Prince. Sibling rivalry runs rampant between the brothers. 

Cinderella’s Prince (brother of Rapunzel’s Prince) – Cinderella’s Prince is a conceited man who pursues Cinderella and can’t take no for an answer. When not chasing her, he’s challenging Rapunzel’s Prince. 

Steward - The Steward is the servant of Cinderella’s Prince. He is dependable, noble and willing to do whatever Cinderella’s Prince asks.

Processing Questions:

1. How are the stories of Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, and Cinderella the same as they are in Into the Woods? How are they different?
2. What is a cautionary tale? How is Into the Woods a cautionary tale? What lessons does everyone learn?
3. What do the woods represent in the story?
4. Each character in Into the Wood Jr. has their own wish. What do they risk to get their wish? What could they do differently? What would your “wish” song be about?
5. Who are the leaders in Into the Woods Jr.? What makes a leader? What makes a good leader?
6. What were the different kinds of music used in the play? How do different types of music make you feel different? 
7. Describe the set of the show. What props (objects the actors held) were used?
8. How was the lighting used to create mood, season, time of day, etc.? 
9. What kinds of costumes did the actors wear? Why is the right costume important to the character in the play? 
10. Describe the kind of dancing you saw in the play. What purpose does dance have in a play?

Lyric Analysis and Reflection

1. A moral is a lesson that the character learns in the story. We can apply it to our own lives! Can you learn from Little Red’s lesson? Have you ever been tempted to do something you knew you shouldn’t do? What happened? Use your experience (or make up a new one) to write your own fairy tale with a moral at the end. 
2. Study the lyrics to Little Red’s song, “I Know Things Now” and reflect on the meaning with your class:

I Know Things Now
 (sung by Little Red Ridinghood) 

Mother said, “straight ahead!” not to delay or be misled… 
I should have heeded her advice…but he seemed so nice. 
And he showed me things, many beautiful things, That I hadn’t thought to explore. 
They were off my path, so I never had dared.
I had been so careful I never had cared. 
And he made me feel excited – well, excited and scared. 
When he said, “come in!” with that sickening grin, How could I know what was in store? 
Once his teeth were bared, though, I really got scared
 – Well, excited and scared – 
but he drew me close And he swallowed me down, down a dark slimy path 
Where lie secrets that I never want to know, 
And I know things now, many valuable things, That I hadn’t known before: 
Do not put your faith in a cape and a hood, 
They will not protect you the way that they should –
 And take extra care with strangers, Even flowers have their dangers. 
And though scary is exciting, Nice is different than good. 
Now I know: don’t be scared. Granny is right, just be prepared. 
Isn’t it nice to know a lot! 
…and a little bit not.

ZACH Performing Arts Academy  (Grades 6-12)

ZACH Performing arts Academy is a well-rounded school year program combining academic and artistic training for students who desire an educational experience that can exceed national standards of excellence. In partnership with accredited academic programs, students work toward high school diplomas while participating in performing arts classes at ZACH. This dual enrollment model is an affordable, private education that allows more time for training, professional opportunities, and travel. 

Performing Arts classes are offered Monday-Friday. Classes of 3-15 students are taught by skilled teaching artists and working professionals in the field. When students are not taking performing arts classes, they are in the classroom working on academics.

All of the students in this production are part of our Academy. For more information, please visit zachtheatre.org/education.

Pre-Professional Company  (Grades 5-12)

The Pre-Professional Company (PPC) is an audition-based program for serious students seeking professional training in acting and musical theatre. Students study year-round in a conservatory-style structure and work closely with Broadway and Professional Teaching Artists in classes and in rehearsal. There are three tracks for students to focus on: Musical Theatre, Dance, and Acting.

Acting Conservatory  (Grades 6-8) 

A multi-year program for high school students who have a serious desire to pursue in-depth acting training. The goal is to provide students with the professional acting training, resume experience, and audition preparation needed to pursue a life in the theatre. In the Fall semester, our skilled teaching artists use Contemporary and Classical work to train students to be grounded and honest in their performances preparing them for a fully-produced show during the Spring semester. 

Acting Company (Grades 6-8) 

The Acting Company is a one year program during the school year that provides training and performance opportunities for middle school students who want to deepen their acting and performance skills. Through the fall semester, students will receive weekly training by professional actors and directors, and will apply those skills in a fully-produced show in the spring semester. 

To learn more, visit zachtheatre.org/education.