Valley Youth Theatre Showcases Local Talent in INTO THE WOODS, Opening Today at the Herberger

In 2004, Kimiko Glenn played Little Red Ridinghood in Valley Youth Theatre's original Broadway production of Into the Woods. Ten years later, she started playing Brook Soso in the original Netflix series Orange Is the New Black.

Will lightning strike twice when VYT remounts the show starting June 12 at the Herberger Theater Center? Producing Artistic Director Bobb Cooper thinks so. "You won't believe the amount of talent in this show," said Cooper. "During intermission, the most common thing you'll hear is 'Can you believe how young this cast is? They're like pros!'"

Ranging in ages from 13 to 19-years-old, Cooper has picked 22 of the best performers the Valley has to offer. Carly McClain (Grandmother) and Sophia Drapeau (Jack's Mom) are celebrating their 16th and 15th respective roles with this award-winning theatre company that also spawned celebrity alumna Emma Stone, Jordin Sparks and Chelsea Kane.

Closing the 2014-15 season are three newcomers to VYT -- Addison Bowman (Cinderella's Mother), Spencer Claus (Steward) and Julian Mendoza (Rapunzel's Prince). Back for more stage magic are Wil Arends (Cinderella's Father), Connor Baker (Cinderella's Prince), Elyssa Blonder (Lucinda), Jacob Browning (Mysterious Man), Lily Castle (Rapunzel), Carly Makani Copp (Witch), Benny Cowans (Sleeping Beauty), Sophia Deyden (Stepmother), Tatum Dial (Cinderella), Alex Kirby (Little Red Ridinghood), Ally Lansdowne (Baker's Wife), Sarah Pansing (Snow White), Alex Partida (Narrator), Sam Primack (Jack), Vincent Pugliese (Wolf), Michael Schulz (Baker), and Caroline Wells (Florinda).

"If you want to see the stars of tomorrow, today," Cooper said, "then don't miss this production of Into the Woods - and be sure to ask for autographs after the show!"

Featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine, Into the Woods was originally directed on Broadway by Lapine with orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick. The original Broadway production by Heidi Landesman, Rocco Landesman, Rick Steiner, M. Anthony Fisher, Frederic H. Mayerson and Jujamcyn Theaters was produced by the Old Globe Theater in San Diego, California. This Valley Youth Theatre production is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

Into the Woods runs today, June 12 through 28 at the Herberger Theater Center. Tickets start at $16.50, plus fees, and are available online at www.HerbergerTheater.org or by calling the box office at 602.257.8497.

Established in 1989, Valley Youth Theatre (VYT) is a professional quality, 501(c)(3) non-profit theatre dedicated to helping young people achieve their full potential through meaningful engagement, education and excellence in the performing arts. Winner of more nearly 100 National Youth Arts awards, voted "Best Live Theater" on azcentral.com, heralded as "Best Place to Take a Bow" by Phoenix Magazine and rated one of the "Top Ten Places to Become a Future Star" by The Arizona Republic, VYT produces six mainstage shows each season including two at the Herberger Theater Center. For more information, visit VYT.com.

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