INTO THE WOODS Opens Tonight at CASA

The Capital Area School for the Arts (CASA) has made its mark on the creative community in Central Pennsylvania through original performances and art showcases. This year, CASA is expanding its repertoire to include a spring musical: Into the Woods.

"The students and faculty are very excited that CASA is producing a spring musical this year," stated principal Tim Wendling. "The musical is another way for our students to share their talents with their families, friends, and the community."

With music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lupine, the show is complex and challenging in its composition, but not in its themes. Into the Woods mixes traditional fairy tales with reality - what you wish for isn't always what you need or, in the end, what you want.

Directed by Stuart Landon with musical direction by David Glasgow, this production dials into those themes and keeps storytelling at its heart. Sets are uncomplicated and support, rather than drive, action. A piano is the primary accompaniment, and is integrated into the set. Actors take turns portraying the Narrator, each moving the story along in their own way.

"CASA has given an amazing group of kids a great platform for creation and collaboration and I'm so thankful that I was able to be a part of it," shares senior Kara Miller, who is portraying Cinderella. "You can't put a price on the creative process of taking a traditional musical everyone knows and loves, and making it your own."

The cast includes fifteen CASA students, whose majors include music, film and video, and - of course - theatre. "The musical at CASA is giving us the ability to perform with kids who are working towards the same things we are, who are just as driven as we are," says senior Lydia DeKok, who has taken on the dual roles of Cinderella's Mother and Rapunzel.

To involve the whole school in the production, art students have been encouraged to create pieces that reflect Into the Woods and are assisting with prop creation and set design. Crew members include students from writing and visual arts programs. Show musicians include several CASA music majors - including those in the cast. "It's truly a school musical," adds Wendling.

The cast of Into the Woods features Ivory Brownback as the Witch, Kara Miller as Cinderella, James Saracina as Cinderella's Prince/Wolf, Lydia DeKok as Rapunzel/Cinderella's Mother, Drew Patti as Rapunzel's Prince/Milky White, Jeremiah Joel as Jack, Kara Smith as Jack's Mother/Cinderella's Stepmother, Skyler Carran as Baker, Madison Youch as Baker's Wife, Noelle Sacher as Little Red Ridinghood, Lylee Leonard as Florinda, Madison McCann as Lucinda, Breanna Brennan as Granny/Giant, Chris Carvell as Steward, and Andrew Brenneman as Mysterious Man.

"We've grown so close as a cast, both in and out of rehearsal, and I can't wait for everyone to see how much we at CASA have been able to accomplish," DeKok enthuses.

Into the Woods opens tonight, March 12th and runs through March 15th. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday shows start at 7:30 and the Sunday matinee is at 4:00 pm. Tickets are $10 and will be available at the door. For more information on ticket purchases, please visit the CASA website at www.casa-arts.org.

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