Teen Performing Arts Academy to Present INTO THE WOODS JR.

On Friday, August 12 and Saturday, August 13 the Millbrook Playhouse Teen Performing Arts Academy will offer an amusingly different way to think about everyone's favorite fairy tale characters through their production of "Into the Woods, Jr".

With a book by James Lapine and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, "Into the Woods Jr." is based on the Broadway production which won several Tony Awards. The musical follows a Baker and his Wife who learn they've been cursed with childlessness by the Witch next door. The couple embarks on a quest - swindling, deceiving and stealing from such already-victimized characters as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Jack (fresh off the beanstalk!) - to get the special objects required to break the spell. However, the story doesn't simply end "happily ever after" as each character must now face the consequences of his/her decision.

Into the Woods JR touches on relevant themes for young people including responsibility, the consequences of individual actions, and ethical choices. There is a cast of 42 young performers made up of students from age 13-18. The formidable cast features Izyah Gerlach as The Baker, Bri Bottorf as The Baker's Wife, Meghann Reeder as The Witch, Trinity Miller as Cinderella, Alexis Haigh as Jack, Allison Panczyszyn as Milky White, Gillian Lingle as Jack's Mother, Abby Greevy as Little Red Riding Hood, Liz Shaffer as Cinderella's Prince, Katie Spinelli as Cinderella's Stepmother, Katie Owens as Florinda, Sydney Glossner as Lucinda, Tory Prebble as Cinderella's Father/Wolf Izzy Hogg as Cinderella's Mother, Zoe Tice as Rapunzel, Makenzie Toner as Rapunzel's Prince, Sam Aluia as The Mysterious Man, Sam Weaver as the Steward. The shows Narrators are Alida Bitner, Katelyn Boyd, Bailey Raye Briggs, Jozelyn Charles, Rachel Crust, Laurel Davis, MaryBeth Davis, Maya Fulton, Lauren Glossner, Mackenzie Gray, Maggie Haggerty, Megan Hamaty, Olivia Hanna, Katie Hendricks, Aimee Hunsinger, Kelly Long, Anna Klena, Krissy Mantek, Katie Mussett, Lydia Parker, Dayanaira Watson and Gabrielle Weaver.

Returning for a second season Matt Spencer (Legally Blonde Jr., Jungle Book Kids, A Charlie Brown Christmas) serves as Director and Brooke Reese and Timmy Gage will serve as Assistant Directors, joining them this year is Eric Mikalauskas is the music director. Set Design by Kelly Harrad, Costume Design by Christina Limerick, Lighting Design by Brooke Reese, Props Design by Timmy Gage, and Sound Design by Simon Ghezzi.

Into the Woods Jr runs August 12 at 7:30 and August 13 at 2pm. Tickets are $10 for adults, $15 for students and $7 for children. Group rates are available. You can purchase tickets by calling 570-748-8083, online at www.millbrookplayhouse.org. Box office hours are Monday and Tuesday from 9am to 5pm and Wednesday through Sunday from 9am to 9pm.