Sonoma teens star in ‘Into the Woods’

Sonoma Academy’s cast, crew, and band are staging the Stephen Sondheim musical “Into the Woods,” a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales.

Sonoma Valley teens Jaia Foster (the wolf), Megan Dewees, Mikey Smart and Alison Artnz appear in the cast.

“’Into the Woods’ has been one of my favorite musicals for years,” said director Jen Cote. “Without relying on the traditional musical theater guise of the boy-meets-girl love story, the play instead examines complex life lessons with stunning truthfulness.”

According to Sonoma Academy officials, the pervasive “journey” theme of “Into the Woods” also provides fertile ground for young performers just beginning their own journeys into adulthood – a journey that often feels like a dark forest filled with unknowns and setbacks. The struggles these characters face are both internal and external, say theater department officials, testing their relationships, their resolve, their courage, and their desire to overcome obstacles and reach their goals.

The show runs at 7 p.m. on May 17 and 18; at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on May 19; and at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. on May 20.

Admission is $15 adults, and $12 for students and seniors.

Sonoma Academy announced that its fall production will be the rock musical “Spring Awakening” by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater. The original 1997 Broadway production was the winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. “Spring Awakening” is based on the1891 German play of the same name by Frank Wedekind. Set in late-19th-century Germany, the musical tells the story of teenagers coming of age in a repressed society. In the modern version, rock music is employed as part of the folk-infused score.