KIDSTAGE: Into the Woods

In This Program

• About the Show
• Cast and Crew
• Who’s Who: Cast Bios
• Who’s Who: Creative Team
• Sponsors
• More about Village Theatre

About the Show

MUSIC AND LYRICS BY

STEPHEN SONDHEIM

BOOK BY

JAMES LAPINE

ORIGINALLY DIRECTED ON BROADWAY BY

JAMES LAPINE

ORCHESTRATIONS BY

JONATHAN TUNICK

ORIGINAL BROADWAY PRODUCTION BY
Heidi Landesman
Rocco Landesman
Rick Steiner
M. Anthony Fisher 
Frederic H. Mayerson 
Jujamcyn Theaters

Cope Gillette Theatre, Everett

DEC 5–21, 2025

Scenic Designer
JEREMY HOLLIS  

Costume Designer
ELIZABETH POWER

Lighting Designer
AHREN BUHMANN

Sound Designer
COLIN PACE

Properties Designer
INDIRA RAMPERSAD

Stage Manager
SEQUOIA GOOD   

Choreographer
KATIE NEWBURY

Music Director
AARON M. DAVIS NORMAN

Director
CASEY CRAIG

Please silence all electronic devices. The use of any recording device, either audio or video, and the taking of photographs, either with or without flash, is strictly prohibited.

This production of INTO THE WOODS is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Cast and Crew

Special Thanks

Glacier Peak High School

Who’s Who: Cast Bios

PAUL ABWAO, he/him (The Baker) is so excited to be a part of the cast of Into the Woods at Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE! KIDSTAGE credits: Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar in Concert and Carlos/GM Chad in Legally Blonde: The Musical. Professional credit: Harvey Johnson in Bye Bye Birdie (The 5th Avenue Theatre). Other Credits: Pippin in Pippin (Ballyhoo Theatre); Nick Bottom in Something Rotten at his high school. IG: @paul_lj07

AVA GEM ANDERSON, (Jack’s Mother, Little Red’s Granny) is overjoyed to be a part of a Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE show! This is her first production with KIDSTAGE although she has been in musicals as long as she can remember. Ava Gem is so grateful to be a part of this, and she hopes you enjoy the show! She also wants to give a big thank you to Byron and Cari Anderson for always supporting her dreams.

ANNIE BREDIGER, she/her (Cinderella) is overjoyed to return to Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE! Some of her favorite past roles include Margot in Legally Blonde: The Musical and Madame in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Into the Woods has always been one of Annie's favorite shows and she is thrilled to take part in this magical production. She would love to thank her friends, family, and loved ones who have supported her along the way. She wishes you a safe journey through the woods!

JAYDEN DAVIS, he/him (Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf 1) is so excited to be a part of his first Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE production. His past roles include Mr. Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors, Horton in Seussical the Musical and Woodstock in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. He would like to thank his parents, grandparents, and especially his aunt for all the encouragement.

WILL LEMCIO, he/him (Rapunzel's Prince, Wolf 2, u/s The Baker, u/s Mysterious Man) is ecstatic to be in one of his lifelong favorite shows and reconnect with Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE friends. Previous KIDSTAGE shows: School of Rock, Disney's Newsies, Guys & Dolls. High school shows include The Music Man, Radium Girls, Disney's Newsies, You Can’t Take it with You, Disney’s The Little Mermaid. He thanks the Into the Woods team for this amazing opportunity and his parents for being his biggest supporters.

JACK LEWIS, he/him (The Steward, u/s Milky-White) is thrilled to be a part of Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE Into the Woods! His previous KIDSTAGE experience includes Claquesous in Les Misérables School Edition. He has been a participant in Village Theatre Institute. Other credits include Jet in the student-written Left Hand Man and Mr. Krabs in his school’s production of The SpongeBob Musical JR. He wants to thank his friends, family, and vocal coach for their support.

SCHYLER MACMICHAEL, (Rapunzel, Dance Captain, u/s The Baker’s Wife, u/s Cinderella) This is Schyler’s very first Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE production and she is so excited. Previous roles she has enjoyed playing are Annie in Annie, Mary Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life, and Mayzie in Seussical the Musical. She has also studied under talented coaches in intensives and private lessons. She’d love to give a big thanks to her amazing family and friends for their love and support and Jesus for her passion for the theater!

OLIVIA MARKLE, (Snow White, Ensemble) is thrilled to make her Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE debut in Into the Woods! Credits include Janice/Marina/Fairy in Between the Lines (Ballyhoo Theatre); Worker in Hadestown; Oompa Loompa in Willy Wonka (Edmonds Driftwood Players); u/s Michael and Ensemble in Elf the Musical; Big Kid in Matilda (Kitsap Forest Theatre); Jojo in Seussical the Musical; Brigitta in The Sound of Music; Minnie Mae in Bend in the Road; and Chip in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. She loves composing music, science, exploring nature, and her four Italian Greyhounds.

VIOLET NAGAMATSU, she/her (Milky-White, The Giant, Ensemble) has a deep passion for musical theater and has been in the Village Theatre Institute program for 3 years. This is Violet’s 5th show with Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE Everett. She was most recently in the Summer Intensive, and before that Jesus Christ Superstar in Concert. She has also done shows with Studio East, including their summer 2025 production of Cats.

ISLA O'CONNOR-LU, she/her (Cinderella's Mother, Ensemble, u/s Jack’s Mom, u/s Stepmother, u/s Giant) is excited for her first show with Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE! She has previously worked with Seattle's Performers, where some of her favorite shows include Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and Gretchen in Mean Girls. This past year she was awarded 3rd place for her vocal solo at Musical Theater Competitions of America, and All Stars at Junior Theatre Festival in 2023. She’s so grateful to be performing with KIDSTAGE and looks forward to future shows.

BLISS PAMINTUAN, she/her (Jack) could not be more excited to be back for her sixth Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE production! Those included Shrek the Musical JR., Legally Blonde: The Musical and Disney's Beauty and the Beast. This would not be possible if it weren't for her wonderful teachers, her friends and her family. Thanks Mom, Dad and Kuya for always being there and to her Grandpa and Lolo, love forever and always.

SLOANE PEARCE, she/her (Florinda, u/s Cinderella’s Mother) is thrilled to be back with Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE for her second production! She can't wait to embrace the mischievous energy of Florinda in Into the Woods. Sloane loved being part of Les Misérables: School Edition this past summer, and she thanks her family and friends for their endless support. Enjoy the show!

HENRY SEVERN, he/him (Mysterious Man, Vocal Captain, u/s Narrator, u/s Princes, u/s Wolves) is happy to be returning to Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE once again. Select credits include: Chicago: Teen Edition, Jesus Christ Superstar in Concert, Legally Blonde: The Musical, Guys and Dolls (KIDSTAGE), and Willy Wonka (Edmonds Driftwood Players). He would like to thank his parents, coaches, and friends for making this all possible.

KOVANA SHINE WILLIAMS, she/her (Cinderella's Stepmother, u/s Rapunzel) is thrilled to be a part of this show! Recent Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE credits include: Fiona in Shrek JR., D.A. Joyce Riley in Legally Blonde The Musical, Silly Girl in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Audrey in Disney’s Descendants. Outside of performing, she loves babysitting and spending time with friends. Kovana would like to thank her amazing teachers, friends, and family for their constant love, dedication, and support!

ALVIN SMITH, he/him (Cinderella’s Father, Ensemble) is grateful to be in his fifth Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE production. His recent credits include Lord Farquaad in Shrek JR. and Dr. Von Sochocky/Markly in his high school production of Radium Girls. Alvin loves the creativity and teamwork that each show brings. When not on stage, Alvin enjoys playing guitar and drums, performing music locally, and continuing to grow as an artist. Special thanks to family and friends for their support!

MELODY SMITKIN, she/her (Little Red Riding Hood) is super excited to be involved in this production! It was one of the first shows she saw, and she is thrilled to be a part of the cast! Recent roles include: Olive in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Mrs. Potts in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, and Aaron Shultz in Legally Blonde: The Musical. She hopes you enjoy the show!

DOROTHY SUMMERS, she/her (Narrator, u/s Jack) is excited to return to Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE for her 7th show! Previous KIDSTAGE credits: Dragon in Shrek the Musical JR., Silly Girl/Ensemble in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Evie in Disney's Descendants. Most recently she played Patrice in 13: the Musical at Studio East. She's grateful for this cast and production team, especially Bliss for being the best overbuddy ever! Thanks to Danielle, Zandi, and her family and friends for supporting her. Enjoy the show!

VIVI THOMAS, she/her (Sleeping Beauty, Ensemble). Coming from a strict dance-only background, Into the Woods is Vivi’s second production with Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE, following their 2025 KIDSTAGE production of Chicago: Teen Edition as Mona. She previously worked with studios such as Coffee Dance Studio and ARC School of Ballet. She is very stoked to be a part of this project!

MAIA VAZQUEZ, she/her (Lucinda, u/s Little Red Riding Hood, u/s The Witch) is beyond excited to be in Into the Woods! She is so thankful for the opportunity to be in this fantastic show. Recent credits include Hermes in Hadestown: Teen Edition and Soul Girl/Dance Captain in Jesus Christ Superstar. She wants to thank her family, friends and teachers for all their support! Enjoy the show!! IG:@maiaavazquez

AMANI VELADA, she/they (The Baker's Wife) is excited to join Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE Into the Woods! She has done many KIDSTAGE shows in the past including Brooke Wyndham in Legally Blonde: The Musical and Lumiere in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Other recent credits include Ursula Merkle in Bye Bye Birdie (The 5th Avenue Theatre) and Katherine Howard in SIX: Teen Edition (Ballyhoo Theatre Company). Many thanks to her family, friends, and educators for their support!

MADELINE WILLIAMS, she/her (The Witch) is so honored to be a part of this wonderful production! Past credits include: Judas Iscariot in Jesus Christ Superstar in Concert and Jean Valjean in Les Misérables School Edition (Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE), Eurydice in Hadestown: Teen Edition (Ballyhoo Theatre) and Ensemble and u/s Natalie Hilliard in Mrs. Doubtfire (The 5th Avenue Theatre). Madeline is endlessly grateful for her family, friends, and teachers for always supporting her.

Who’s Who: Creative Team

CASEY CRAIG, he/him (Director) holds a BA in dance from the University of Washington and an MFA in musical theater from San Diego State University. Casey has worked with arts organizations throughout the west coast, most recently with San Diego State University, Central Washington University, The Bridge Conference (School’s Out Washington), The Northwest Voice Conference (University of Washington), and the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Casey is currently the Associate Director of Youth Education for Village Theatre. www.caseyadamcraig.com

AARON M. DAVIS NORMAN, (Music Director) is an educator-artist-activist originally from Compton, California. Aaron has performed across Europe, Canada, and the US and continues to fight for equitable theater programs for youth and diverse representation on stages and productions teams. Aaron is currently the Institute Manager, Everett at Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE and teaching private voice. 

KATIE J. NEWBURY, (Choreographer) is excited to be working with Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE again! Select creative team credits include Urinetown, The SpongeBob Musical, The Prom (KIDSTAGE); Something's Afoot: The Rising Star Project (The 5th Avenue Theatre). As a fat-bodied artist, Katie is dedicated to showing that great work knows no size. Special thanks to Casey for bringing her onto this project - working with him is always MAGICAL! God is love. @katiejnewbury

JEREMY HOLLIS, he/him (Scenic Designer) is excited to be working again with Village Theatre's KIDSTAGE. Design credits include Patrimony (Red Rover Theatre), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Cortland Rep), and the premiere of The CiviliTy of Albert Cashier (Permoveo Productions). He is a recent transplant to Seattle by way of Chicago.

ELIZABETH POWER, she/her (Costume Designer) is so happy to be at Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE, and excited for Into the Woods with a bit of a twist on design! Elizabeth sews every day, enjoys teaching skills to young people, and loves telling stories through fiber. Recent shows include Disney’s Newsies, Radium Girls, The Music Man, and You Can’t Take It with You. With several nominations at The 5th Avenue Theatre, she has quite the resume! Special thanks to Ayana, Casey, Dane, and Veronica. Enjoy the show!

AHREN BUHMANN, (Lighting Designer) is a Lighting and Video designer based in Seattle. His previous shows include Legally Blonde: The Musical (Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE); Brigadoon, Jersey Boys, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, MISS STEP and Eastbound (Village Theatre); The Moors (Seattle Public Theater); Or, Nonsense and Beauty (Theatre22); Solaris and My Antonia (Book-It Repertory Theatre); White Noise, The Good Book, Angels in America and Out of Character (Berkeley Repertory Theatre); and Carefree (New Jersey Performing Arts Center). Ribbet. 

COLIN PACE,he/him (Sound Designer, Engineer) is a sound engineer/designer who has worked on previous Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE productions including: Shrek the Musical JR., Sister Act, Krisis Kids Wilderness Adventure Camp, Disney’s Descendants, and Guys and Dolls. Colin is thankful to his friends and family who continue to support his passion for theater and silly noises. He hopes you enjoy the show! 

INDIRA RAMPERSAD, she/her (Properties Designer) is a multidisciplinary theatre artist/educator based in Seattle. This is her sixth show with Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE! She also serves as the Education Coordinator/Assistant Stage Manager (ASM) at Seattle Public Theater and substitute teaches for Seattle Public Schools. Recent credits include: Assistant Stage Manager for Stage of Fools and Stage Manager for Birds of Play (Seattle Public Theater) and subbing at Ballard High School. She thanks her family and the wonderful cast/crew!

SEQUOIA GOOD, she/her (Stage Manager) This spring Sequoia graduated with a BFA in theater design & production (she is relieved that it's going to good use). This is her first time working with Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE, and she is honored to be here. Sequoia's recent stage management credits include The Sound of Music (Leavenworth Summer Theatre), Romeo & Juliet (Harlequin Productions), and John Proctor is the Villain (Central Washington University). Sequoia wants to thank everyone for supporting the arts!

SARAHANN RICKNER, she/her (Assistant Stage Manager) is delighted to return to Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE after previously stage-managing Shrek the Musical JR. and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. With a background in dance and over 20 years of experience in theatre and film, she has earned more than 70 production credits. Some of her favorite projects include: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised], Zombie Prom, and Your Cousins Fall in Love.

JAMES LAPINE, (Book) is a playwright and director. On Broadway he has worked with Stephen Sondheim on Sunday in the Park with George; Into the Woods; and Passion. He also conceived and directed the musical review Sondheim on Sondheim. With William Finn he created Falsettos recently revived by Lincoln Center Theater; Little Miss Sunshine; Muscle; and directed Finn's The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Other Broadway credits include his play based on Moss Hart's memoir Act One (also LCT), Amour, The Diary of Anne Frank, Golden Child, and Dirty Blonde. He has written the plays Table Settings, Twelve Dreams, The Moment When, Fran's Bed and Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing. Lapine has been nominated for eleven Tony Awards, winning on three occasions. He has also been the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize, SDC's Mr. Abbott Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theater, and inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame.

STEPHEN SONDHEIM, (Music and Lyrics) wrote the music and lyrics for Saturday Night (1954), A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (1962), Anyone Can Whistle (1964), Company (1970), Follies (1971), A Little Night Music (1973), The Frogs (1974), Pacific Overtures (1976), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1979), Merrily We Roll Along (1981), Sunday In The Park With George (1984), Into The Woods (1987), Assassins (1991), Passion (1994), Road Show (2008) and HERE WE ARE (2023), as well as the lyrics for West Side Story (1957), Gypsy (1959), Do I Hear A Waltz? (1965) and additional lyrics for Candide (1973). Side By Side By Sondheim (1976), Marry Me A Little (1981), You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow (1983), Putting It Together (1993/99), Moving On (2001), Sondheim On Sondheim (2010) and Old Friends (2023) are anthologies of his work as composer and lyricist. For films, he composed the scores of “Stavisky” (1974), co-composed the score for “Reds” (1981), and wrote songs for “Dick Tracy” (1990). He wrote songs for the television production “Evening Primrose” (1966), co-authored the film “The Last of Sheila” (1973) and the play Getting Away With Murder (1996) and provided incidental music for the plays The Girls of Summer (1956), Invitation To A March (1961), Twigs (1971) and The Enclave (1973).

He won the Tony Award for Best Score for Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, and Passion, all of which won the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award, as did Pacific Overtures and Sunday In The Park With George, the latter also receiving the Pulitzer Prize for Drama (1985).

Stephen Sondheim was born and raised in New York City. He graduated from Williams College, winning the Hutchinson Prize for Music Composition, after which he studied theory and composition with Milton Babbitt. He served on the Council of the Dramatists Guild, the national association of playwrights, composers and lyricists, and served as its president from 1973 to 1981. In 1983 he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters and in 1990 was appointed the first Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre at Oxford University. He was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors in 1993, the National Medal of Arts in 1996, the MacDowell Medal in 2013 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. His collected lyrics with attendant essays have been published in two volumes: "Finishing the Hat" (2010) and "Look, I Made a Hat" (2011).

In 2010 the Broadway theater formerly known as Henry Miller's Theatre was renamed in his honor, and in 2019 he became the first living artist to have a theatre named in his honor on Shaftesbury Avenue when the refurbished Queen’s Theatre in London’s West End was renamed the Sondheim Theatre to commemorate his 90th birthday, by Sir Cameron Mackintosh.

MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (MTI) is one of the world’s leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theaters from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1952 by composer Frank Loesser and orchestrator Don Walker, MTI is a driving force in advancing musical theatre as a vibrant and engaging art form. MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 100,000 professional, community and school theaters in the US and in over 150 countries worldwide. MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theatre, and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’s Broadway Junior® shows are 30- and 60-minute musicals for performance by elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students. MTI maintains its global headquarters in New York City with additional offices in London (MTI Europe) and Melbourne (MTI Australasia).

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