Into the Woods: Official Performance Guide

PRESENTS INTO THE WOODS JR

MUSIC AND LYRICS BY STEPHEN SONDHEIM

ORIGINALLY DIRECTED ON BROADWAY BY JAMES LAPINE

BOOK BY JAMES LAPINE

ORIGINALLY PRODUCED BY OLD GLOBE THEATRE, SAN DIEGO, CA

ORIGINAL BROADWAY PRODUCTION PRODUCED BY HEIDI LANDESMAN, M. ANTHONY FISHER, ROCCO LANDESMAN, FREDERICK H. MAYERSON, RICK STEINER, JUJAMCYN THEATERS

DIRECTOR/CHOREOGRAPHER BRET POULTER MUSIC DIRECTOR KELLIE CULLINAN

SCENIC DESIGN

MIKE SANTOS

COSTUME DESIGN

MARY ANNE M c AVOY M c KERROW

PROPERTIES COORDINATOR

MIKE SANTOS & JASON WAGAMAN

LIGHTING DESIGN

CRAIG WALCK

VIDEO & PROJECTIONS

KATIE CROSS OF CROSS ALIGN

EXECUTIVE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR BRYCE ALEXANDER

SOUND DESIGN

JACOB MYNY

SEASON DRAMATURG RICKI BAKER

M c SPADDEN HALL • JUNE 23 - 25, 2023

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

DREW ATTANASIO PHOTOGRAPHY YOUTH HAVEN

INTO THE WOODS JR IS IS PRESENTED THROUGH SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT WITH MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (MTI). ALL AUTHORIZED PERFORMANCE MATERIALS ARE ALSO SUPPLIED BY MTI. WWW.MTISHOWS.COM

ANY VIDEO AND/OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PRODUCTION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

CAST (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

WOLF / RAPUNZEL’S PRINCE .......................................................................................... LEO BENANDER-M c KAY

CINDERELLA .................................................................................................................................... MADDY BENNER

JACK ......................................................................................................................................................... EMIR BILEN

LITTLE RED .................................................................................................................................... SOLEI BOURGEOIS

JACK’S MOTHER SAMANTHA CALERO

CINDERELLA’S STEPMOTHER ............................................................................................. MARGOT CASSINELLI

NARRATOR / MYSTERIOUS MAN .................................................................................................RICHIE DAVIES

FLORINDA / GRANNY .......................................................................................................................... SURI FINCH

BAKER’S WIFE ............................................................................................................................. RACHEL KASTNER

LUCINDA / CINDERELLA’S MOM ...................................................................................................... SOFIA LUGO

RAPUNZEL MADISON MANCE

CINDERELLA’S PRINCE NICHOLAS MEHLER

CINDERELLA’S FATHER / STEWARD .............................................................................................. OLLIE POSEY

BAKER ................................................................................................................................................... AIDEN THAYER

WITCH ......................................................................................................................................... BEALEY CATE WHITE

CREW (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGERS

SARAH GAMBLIN, ALEX MINARIK, PATRICIA PUIA

DECK MANAGER MAYA KLEINSORGE

DRESSER ROSEANN RUGGIERO

DRESSING ROOM MONITORS JENNIFER BENNER, MICHELLE CASSINELLI, TINA CEDRAS, STACY KASTNER

AUDIO ENGINEER ................................................................................................................................ JACOB MYNY

AUDIO ASSISTANTS ...................................................................... MARIA GIL, ELLA HAMBLEN, SHAKEEM HARVEY

WIG STYLIST .............................................................................................................................. REBECCA GUREVICH

SCENIC CONSTRUCTION AND PAINTING ............................................ REX BURNS, IAN COCKLIN, ED EZRINE, TAMMY HARRIS, JOE FEMIA, JANE SHUB, MEGAN JIMENEZ, KIP JONES, STEVE LEE, RUSS LOYET, RAY MARASCO, DON SALAMACK, JEFF SMITH, MARY LOU TAYLOR, MICHAEL TROOP, MJ WANN

COSTUME CONSTRUCTION & CARE ............................................ JEAN ACKER, JACK COLE, STEPHANIE FOWLE, KATHLEEN KOLACZ, JOAN LAUGHLIN, JOHN M c KERROW, JESSICA SHWEDEL, JUDY SMITH, JEAN SNYDER

ACTS , SCENES & MUSICAL NUMBERS

SCENE ONE: PROLOGUE

Opening COMPANY

SCENE TWO

Cinderella At The Grave ............................................................................ CINDERELLA, CINDERELLA’S MOTHER

Hello, Little Girl .......................................................................................................................... WOLF, LITTLE RED

I Guess This Is Goodbye/Maybe They’re Magic .............................................. JACK, BAKER’S WIFE, BAKER

Rapunzel .................................................................................................................................................... RAPUNZEL

Baker’s Reprise ............................................................................................................................................. BAKER

A Very Nice Prince CINDERELLA, BAKER’S WIFE

SCENE THREE

Giants In The Sky ............................................................................................................................................

Agony .................................................................................................... CINDERELLA’S PRINCE, RAPUNZEL’S PRINCE

Rapunzel (Reprise) RAPUNZEL

It Takes Two ............................................................................................................................BAKER’S WIFE, BAKER

SCENE FOUR

Stay With Me WITCH, RAPUNZEL

On The Steps of the Palace ............................................................................................................ CINDERELLA

SCENE FIVE: FINALE

Ever After .................................................................................................................................................. COMPANY

Children Will Listen/Into The Woods .............................................................................................. COMPANY

LEO BENANDERM c KAY...........

(Wolf/Rapun -

zel’s Prince) is a young Renaissance man with a wide variety of talents and interests. He is a soccer and tennis player; a retired competitive gymnast; plays many instruments including the French horn, flute, oboe, clarinet, Native American flute, and piano; is studying 3 languages; enjoys traveling and has had the privilege of visiting many amazing countries; and has a passion for art and fashion – all while successfully balancing his studies at Seacrest Country Day School. He loves the stage and has acted in several productions including TNP’s Newsies JR, Peter Pan and Christmas Shorts. Leo is honored to join the amazing cast of Into the Woods JR!

MADDY BENNER..........

(Cinderella)

will begin the 6th grade this fall at TVS. She has been part of KidzAct since the age of 4. This is her 4th show onstage with other credits including Cruella de Vil/101

Dalmatians , Mrs. Paroo/The Music Man and Peppermint Patty/A Charlie Brown Christmas . When not acting or singing, Maddy’s other passion is sports. She received the 5 sport Iron Knight Award at TVS this year for participating in cross country, volleyball, basketball, track and tennis. She also was her 5th grade Class President and maintained a straight A average. She would like to dedicate this performance in memory of her dad who always encouraged and believed in her dreams, and to her mom for her support, love, and being her personal Uber.

EMIR BILEN.....

(Jack) is a natural born artist.

Emir’s true passion for music has led him to an exciting journey. Emir is an exceptional young actor, vocalist, and pianist. Emir had the honor of participating with Naples Opera in The Opera of Tosca . Past productions include Tiny Tim/A Christmas Carol: The Musical , Simba/The Lion King , Oliver/ Oliver. Emir is also a well-known soloist of the Artis Naples youth choir. This young artist offers a promising bright and exciting future for the world of the arts.

SOLEI BOURGEOIS....

(Little Red) is so proud to be at TNP and able to perform one of her dream roles as Little Red. She loves the stage and at the age of 5 was cast as Lulu in the tour of Waitress at Artis Naples. From there, she couldn’t get enough of the stage and has been cast as Annie/Annie, Gretl/ The Sound Of Music, Young Anna/Frozen JR , and much more. Solei dances with her mom at Hit The Floor Dance Company, takes vocal lessons with Miss Laura from The Vocal Ring Studio, studies acting with Jessica Walck, and loves ballet at Naples Dance Conservatory.

SAMANTHA CALERO...........

(Jack’s Mother) is very excited to be a part of TNP KidzAct’s Into the Woods JR. This is her first out of school production and she feels honored to be a part of this beautiful show. She is 13 years old and attends Corkscrew Middle in the 7th grade. Another thing she can do besides acting is play the viola. She is a first

chair, three year violist in Advanced Orchestra. Getting to be a part of this journey could not be done without her family. Samantha is so excited for the connections and bonds she’s about to build.

MARGOT CASSINELLI.....

(Cinderella’s Stepmother)

is an incoming 6th grader who just finished six amazing years at Vineyards Elementary. She has enjoyed many acting classes at The Naples Players with credits including The Sound of Music, Disney’s Descendants, Mary Poppins , and Camp Rock . She is thrilled to join the cast of Into the Woods JR for her first full-length performance. When not on stage, she enjoys reading, singing, writing music, adventuring, and spending time with friends. Margot would like to thank her teachers, friends, and family for their continuous support.

RICHIE DAVIES

(Narrator/Mysterious Man) is age 12 and attends middle school at Seacrest Country Day School.

Richie is originally from the UK and has been living in Naples with his two siblings and parents since October 2021. He’s been a keen actor all his life and spent many school vacations attending stage school back in the UK. After arriving at Seacrest, Richie gained his first lead role as James in the school production of James and the Giant Peach and has loved his roles in many KidzAct productions. Richie enjoys all aspects of life and is an avid soccer player, master Lego builder, and gamer!

SURI FINCH......

(Florinda/Granny) is so grateful to be a part of the Naples Players family. Her first show as Marta in The Sound Of Music Vienna Cast was an opportunity of a lifetime. She is so appreciative to have found such a wonderful theatre community. This is her first KidzAct show! Suri just finished 6th

grade at Pine Ridge Middle with straight A’s and 4.0 GPA. While offstage, Suri loves to sing, take piano lessons, hang out with friends and family, go to the beach, exercise, rock climb, and more. Suri would like to thank her parents who support her and her dreams every day, her amazing brothers, awesome friends she couldn’t live without, and The Naples Players and its wonderful team for creating amazing opportunities like this! She hopes you enjoy the show!

RACHEL KASTNER.......

(Baker’s Wife) has enjoyed acting since she started KinderAct with TNP at the age of 4. She is currently a student at Oakridge Middle and has most recently performed as Phineous Trout in OMS’s production of Willy Wonka JR. Other credits include Stepsister in OMS’s Ever After, and NPAC’s Annie JR and Avis in Aladdin JR . When not on stage, Rachel excels in academics, music, and sports. She was honored this spring to perform the national anthem for the Red Sox. Rachel is excited to be working with the talented family at TNP, and thanks her family for their love and support.

SOFIA LUGO....

(Lucinda/Cinderella’s Mom) is an energetic and creative rising 5th grader at Sea Gate Elementary who loves to perform. She is excited to sing, dance, and act in her first show with The Naples Players, which coincidentally falls on her birthday, June 24. Sofia enjoys reading, playing piano, tennis, paddleboarding, volleyball, sailing and waterskiing. Her dream is to one day perform on Broadway.

MADISON MANCE..........

(Rapunzel) is super excited to be a part of Into the Woods JR . She is very grateful to have had this opportunity,

and to be able to work with such talented performers and amazing people. Previous credits include Marta/The Sound of Music, Nancy/Newsies JR , and Young Kangaroo/ Seussical JR . Madison would like to thank her parents and friends for supporting her and her directors for giving her this amazing opportunity.

NICHOLAS MEHLER.........

(Cinderella’s Prince) is so excited to be performing in this production of Into the Woods JR ! This is his first show at The Naples Players. His past roles include Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid as well as an ensemble member in All Shook Up. He would like to thank his family, friends, and Lizzy for all the support. Enjoy the show!

OLLIE

POSEY...

(Cinderella’s Father/Steward) is a vibrant and talented actor and singer destined for the stage. His creativity and infectious enthusiasm have led him to explore a variety of artistic pursuits, including drums, drawing, singing, dancing, gymnastics, and ukulele. Next on the list is guitar! This is balanced with his love of animals and scientific pursuits, where he envisions a future as a herpetologist. Ollie’s comedic timing and love of the limelight have led him to this moment, working with an ensemble of talented actors, staff, and crew. Enjoy the show!

CAST BIOS

AIDEN THAYER

(Baker) is an incoming freshman at Gulf Coast High. He doesn’t quite remember how many shows he’s performed with TNP, but his favorite roles have been Michael Banks/Mary Poppins , Cat in The Hat/Seussical and Crutchie/Newsies Teen . His most recent performance with Gulfshore Playhouse as a professional actor was an oldie but a goodie, Tom of Warwick/ Dap/Camelot . He has been acting for almost 8 years now and has found his passion in it. When off the stage, Aiden enjoys playing the drums and lifting. Aiden would like to thank Bret for challenging him in casting and performance, and his family for being extremely supportive. Aiden dedicates this show to his operasinging grandmother, always watching from stage right.

BEALEY CATE WHITE...........

(Witch) is excited to be back with KidzAct after previously being in Newsies JR and Seussical JR (Mayzie). On The Naples Players main stage, she performed this spring as Brigitta in The Sound of Music and in A Christmas Carol last fall. Before moving to Bonita Springs, Florida, she performed in more than 30 shows in Delaware and Pennsylvania. Favorite roles include Sharpay/High School Musical JR , Flounder/The Little Mermaid JR , Michael Banks/Mary Poppins. She won best young actress of the year at the historic Everett Theatre in Middletown, DE for her role Jana in the Holocaust drama A Child Shall Lead . She made her professional debut in 2019 at the Candlelight Dinner Theatre in Arden, DE.

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Within each child lies unlimited potential. Seacrest curriculum combines traditional and experiential learning to give students a deep-dive into subjects. Learning should be filled with creativity and joy at every age. This has been our approach since 1983.

Highlights

Early Math Mastery Start Date

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16th August 2023

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Infant 6 Weeks Through Grade 12

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CREATIVE TEAM BIOS

(IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

K.C. ALLEN........

(Stage Manager)

is a senior at the Community School of Naples. She has been working at The Naples Players for almost seven years now, both on and off stage. She was most recently seen in the production Something Rotten! Teen (Ensemble). Her other recent credits with TNP include By the Way, Meet Vera Stark (Assistant Stage Manager), Something Rotten! (Assistant Stage Manager), The Wedding Singer (Production Assistant), The Wedding Singer Teen (Assistant Stage Manager). KC would like to thank her grandmother, her mother, her brother, and Colton Butcher (obviously). By the way, enjoy the show!

KELLIE CULLINAN.........

(Music Director) is a classically trained singer, actress and voice teacher known for her bubbly approach to teaching. Based in NYC the past 7 years, some of her favorite performances include Carnegie Hall & Fenway. She served as a NY PopsEd Teaching Artist, directing/music directing rising youth in the tri-state area as well as performing through the nonprofit Concerts in Motion. Kellie holds a B.M. & M.M. in Vocal Performance from Indiana University, and is a proud member of AEA,

NATS & FMEA. Kellie is grateful to be working with The Naples Players staff for the third summer in a row. A special thanks to Bret Poulter for a splendid collaboration!! www.kellie-cullinan.com

SARAH GAMBLIN.........

(Assistant Stage Manager) moved to Naples in June 2022. While she has had experience performing through school and for a local community theater in Des Moines, Iowa, her love of theater has only grown throughout her experience at The Naples Players. She is exhilarated by the enthusiasm of the TNP community and hopes you enjoy the show!

MARY ANNE

M c AVOY

M c KERROW......

(Costume Designer) has been costuming and teaching the young actors of TNP’s KidzAct program since 2005. As a performer for TNP, she was last seen as Donna in Mamma Mia! Other TNP roles include Elizabeth Benning/Young Frankenstein , Momma Rose/Gypsy, and Madame Thenardier/Les Misérables. Most recently, she debuted at The Laboratory Theater in Ft. Myers as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd.

ALEX MINARIK...

(Assistant Stage Manager) is very excited to be back at TNP and to be participating as an ASM for this production. Enjoy the show!

JACOB MYNY....

(Sound Designer) is excited to return to The Naples Players! Jacob is the Resident Sound Designer at The Kalamazoo

Civic and comes from South Haven, MI. Jacob earned his BFA degree from Western Michigan University Theatre Department. He has traveled around working in New Hampshire, Florida, and Michigan. Some of his favorite previous works include, The Cake (The Naples Players), The Fantasticks (Jean’s Playhouse), Much Ado About Nothing (Hope Summer Repertory Theatre) and Newsies (The Kalamazoo Civic). For more information about Jacob and his works, visit his website: mynyinc.com

BRET POULTER

(Director/Choreographer) has been a KidzAct instructor since 2018 and primarily works with students in grades 3-8. He has also acted as director and/or choreographer for KidzAct productions of The Sound of Music, Disney’s Descendants, Dear Edwina JR, Seussical JR and Newsies JR . He is thrilled to be spending his summer with the casts and creative teams for both Into the Woods JR and Beauty and the Beast JR. Enjoy the show!

PATRICIA PUIA

(Assistant Stage Manager) is beginning her fourth season with TNP and has enjoyed every minute! She has worked in a variety of backstage and tech positions in shows ranging from Footloose to The Cake and from A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder to Calendar Girls. She also recently stage managed By the Way, Meet Vera Stark in the Tobye. She has enjoyed extending her experience into the KidzAct program for this production and thanks everyone involved for their hard work and team spirit.

CREATIVE TEAM BIOS (IN ALPHABETICAL

ORDER)

MIKE SANTOS....

(Scenic Designer) has been working in The Naples Players Scene Shop for over 18 years now. Originally from Upstate New York, he received his Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from Cazenovia College. Favorite scenic designs include Guys and Dolls, The Wedding Singer, and Mary Poppins for TNP; and Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Disney’s Descendants, and Matilda JR for KidzAct. A big thank you to the volunteers for doing what they do best! And to his wife, Judith, for being everything :-)

CRAIG WALCK...

(Lighting Designer) After initially working for TNP from 2000-2006, Craig returned to TNP in 2011 after working for Columbia University, The All-Stars Project, and other theatrical groups in New York City from 2006-2008. He then oversaw the completion of construction, opening, and first two years of operation of the Miramar Cultural Center in Miramar, FL from 2008-2011. Overall, Craig has designed the lighting for over 170 TNP productions. Originally from Niagara Falls, N.Y., and a graduate of SUNY Buffalo, he and his wife, Jessica, recently welcomed their greatest production ever: son Liam. Their dogs, Ziggy, Twoey, and Roscoe remain unimpressed.

TNP acknowledges that we are on the traditional territory of the Calusa and Seminole peoples; and we acknowledge with respect the diverse histories and cultures of all the native people in this region.

STAFF & LEADERSHIP 2023-2024 SEASON

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PEGGY MONSON President

ALAN JAFFE Executive Vice President

OTTO IMMEL Secretary

ROBIN BACHE GRAY Membership

TERRY LIBBY Facilities

PAT POLLOK Development

BOB UEK Treasurer

TNP STAFF (ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

BRYCE ALEXANDER

Executive Artistic Director/CEO

DOT AUCHMOODY

Resident Costume Designer

MOLLIE BERMAN

Costume Shop Supervisor

COLE BUTCHER Production Stage Manager/ Internship Director

PAMELA LARKIN CARUSO Director of Volunteer Advancement

JOHN COOPER

Box Office Staff

KENZIE CURRIE

Chief of Staff

NICK DALTON

Director of Education & Enrichment

DOREN DANIS

Chief Financial Officer

JAMES DUGGAN

Director of Patron Services

ADAM FASANO

Box Office Staff

DENNY GLASS Immediate Past President

TED BILL

DEDE BROWNLEE

BRUCE GRAEV ALYSSA HANEY

LEXI FITZPATRICK House Manager

LUKE JACONIS Box Office Manager

CARL JOHNSON Box Office Staff/ Front of House Associate

JILLIAN KEITH Marketing Coordinator

MAYA KLEINSORGE Education Assistant

MARY ANNE McKERROW KidzAct Costume Designer

DAN MILLER Assistant House Manager SUMMER PLISKOW Education Program Coordinator

CRAIG PRICE Director of Community Education & Wellness

DAN RAMIREZ Box Office Staff

MIKE SANTOS Resident Scenic Designer & Artist

KELLEY PRICE

NANCY RIBORDY

NANCY WOOLF

KAT ZAGEL

BETH PETRUNOFF City Council Liaison

GAETJENS (SCOTT) SIMEON Accounting Assistant

ESTHER SNYDER

Executive Assistant to the CEO

BRADLEY VAN HOUTEN

Head of Sound

JASON WAGAMAN

Technical Director

CRAIG WALCK

Head of Lighting

CARLY ZEUNER

Company Manager

2023-24 INTERNS

IAN ROSSIN

Full Season Stage Management Intern

ANTHONY SOTO

Summer Education Intern

EMMA SUTTELL

Summer Education Intern

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