Directed by Renee Krizan

Produced by Leona Tinkey

Into the Woods Junior is a magical tale that combines the stories of Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel with many new twists (and some familiar ones, too). There's action, drama and suspense (and a wicked witch) that will surely capture the imagination of all ages.

Wednesday through Saturday performances at 8 pm, Sunday matinees at 2 pm

Adults: $16.00

Children (12 and under): $14.00
Service charges apply

WHO'S WHO IN THE CAST

Emily Abrom (Rapunzel)

Emily is excited to be making her Hershey Area Playhouse debut! She is a ten year old from Lancaster who has been seen as Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker (Gretna Theatre), in Annie, Joseph, Christmas from the Heart (Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre) and Oliver! (Fulton Opera House). Emily has danced since age three, is a member of the COBALT Dance Company and will study this summer at ABT in New York City. She plays the violin in the Lancaster Junior Orchestra and also studies piano and voice. Thank you to Ms. Krizan for the opportunity and to family and friends for their love and support. Blessings!

Adam Alexander (Narrator/Mysterious Man)

Adam is grateful at this chance to work with Hershey Area Playhouse. This is his first show with the Playhouse and he is enthralled by their fabulous new facility. Recently, Adam was in the chorus of Hershey High School's Beauty and the Beast. Adam spends most of his free time working with the music department at the high school and performs in their Wind Symphony and Concert Choir. Adam is a part time clerk at Hersheypark and spends most of his summers there.  Adam is looking to be a music educator after post-secondary education.

Christian Amstutz (Steward)              

A rising 7th-grader at Hershey Middle School, Christian has previously appeared in the Hershey Area Playhouse production of The Wizard of Oz (Munchkin) and Oliver! (Orphan/Fagin's gang). Away from the stage, Christian enjoys school chorus and Boy Scouts. He also takes cello and trombone lessons. He thanks his parents for their support, including but not limited to driving

Ashley Avenoso (Baker’s Wife)

This is Ashley's first show with Hershey Area Playhouse, and second time performing in a musical. Ashley is a double major in Music Business and Technology and Vocal Performance at Millersville University. Her previous show experience includes Hershey High School's 2006 Production of CATS in the role of Grizabella. Ashley would like to thank her family for all of their love and support in her love for musical theatre!

Cyrus Bingman (Cinderella’s Father)

I'm fairly new to theatre but I've taken a great interest and I am learning fast. I student-directed and managed the stage for Central Dauphin's Fall 2005 Production of The Tragic Story of Dr. Faustus. I was also Stage Manager for Central Dauphin's Fall 2006 Production of Antigone where I also played the part of Teresieus's Boy. I appeared in Hershey Area Playhouse's inaugural show at the new theatre Our Town as a baseball player. I wrote, directed and produced a show for Central Dauphin's DramaFest. It was a one-act play I named My Favorite. I also starred as Lucifer in Zach Fedor's DramaFest play The Fall. This autumn I plan on attending HACC where I will be majoring in Communications and minoring in Theatre. Dusty Hoepfer and I will rock community theatre ‘til we're famous!

Katrina Diehm (Rapunzel)

Katrina recently completed playing Gabriella in High School Musical at Cedar Crest Middle School where she will begin 8th grade in the Fall. Some of her other credits include Annie at the Dutch Apple, Once Upon a Mattress, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Oliver! Katrina studies ballet, jazz, voice, piano and clarinet. She is really enjoying her first experience here at Hershey Area Playhouse. She would like to thank her family and friends for all their love and support.

Damian DiFlorio (Wolf)

Damian is thrilled to once again perform for Hershey Area Playhouse. His first rewarding experience was both an honor and privilege to play Oliver in Oliver! Damian's professional resume includes TV credits (Law and Order: CI, National Geographic, Activity TV, Canterbury's Law) commercials, voiceover work and film work (The Unknown Trilogy "Fear", Reservation Road). Damian would love to be an actor, professional soccer player, hockey player, or use his musical talents for percussion and saxophone when he grows up. For now, though, Damian is looking forward to playing a predator (as the Wolf) instead of a victim.

Campbell Dunham (Milky White/Other Cow)

Campbell is very excited to be in his first production. Although he played an extra in Our Town, this is his first real role at Hershey Area Playhouse. He has taken two acting classes from Cory Wilkerson that he thoroughly enjoyed. He will be entering third grade this fall at Hershey Elementary and is looking forward to playing football, basketball and lacrosse. He lives in Hershey with his parents, two cats and two gerbils.

Luke Forshey (Prince)

Luke will be a 9th grader at Lower Dauphin High School this fall. He has appeared in two LD Middle School plays Get Smart (Hodgkins) and The Beverly Hillbillies (Brewster) and several church musicals. He also was a footman in Cinderella at Hershey Area Playhouse last summer. In Luke's free time, he likes to write music and play soccer and tennis. He was chosen for County Chorus and 3rd chair trumpet in County Band. He also plays the piano and guitar and participates in Show Choir and Jazz Band.

Emma Friedhofer (Little Red Riding Hood)

Emma is a 9-year-old home schooled student. She recently performed in the Dutch Apple Dinner Theater’s Sounds of Christmas. She performs twice a month in Kidstuf, a family ministry production, at the Hempfield United Methodist Church. Also, Emma is a member of the Kids Konnection Worship Team, Drama Team and Dance Team. Emma studies voice and takes acting classes at the Fulton Academy of Theater. She attended the Dutch Apple Theater Camp S.P.A.T.T.S.

Sara Goldman (Chorus)

I'm absolutely thrilled to be in this play. Also this is my third appearance in a Hershey Area Playhouse production. The other plays were: a munchkin and a poppy in The Wizard of Oz and a walk-on role in Our Town that I'd won. In my free time I enjoy riding my bike and playing with Sundae & Joey my guinea pigs.

Caroline Gorland (Little Red Riding Hood)

Caroline is 12 years old and attends St. Catherine Laboure School. She has been active in the theatre since the age of 7. Her most recent performance was with the national tour of Beauty and the Beast at the Hershey Theatre. This is her second performance with Hershey Area Playhouse, her first being Oliver! Caroline has also performed with the Harrisburg JCC, The Capitol Performing Arts Center and with Theatre Harrisburg.  Some of her favorite roles have been Gretl in The Sound of Music, an Orphan in Oliver!, Eulalie in Music Man Jr., and Susan in High School Musical (at her school). Other than performing Caroline likes to dance, play the piano, flute and oboe and play tennis. She would like to dedicate this performance to her grandfather John C. Dowling “Jack.”

Samuel Hardy (Narrator/Mysterious Man)

My name is Sam Hardy. I am thirteen years old, and my career in drama began not long ago when I was cast as Professor Silias Scavenger in Palmyra Area Middle School's production of the melodrama Tied to the Tracks, directed by Cory Wilkerson. I was also a participant in her recent performing techniques class for middle schoolers. In my eighth grade year, I played the role of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof Junior.  When summer is over, I become a freshman at Palmyra High School, where I hope to continue my pursuit of the Performing Arts as both a career and a hobby. I am also an active member of multiple church performing groups. I owe a great debt of gratitude to my grandfather William Hardy Sr., a great performer who inspired me to be the best actor and singer I can be.

Glenn Margaret Hoy (Witch)

Glenn will be entering 10th grade in the fall at Palmyra High School. Into the Woods Junior is Glenn's third production with Hershey Area Playhouse, having also appeared in Oliver! and he Wizard of Oz. Glenn has been dancing with Hershey School of Dance for 11 years, and has also taken voice and piano from Springwood Studios for 7 years. She is also actively involved in the Susquehanna Youth Chorale. A few of her other credits include The Music Man, Guys and Dolls Jr. and High School Musical.

Mary Katerman (Cinderella’s Mother)

Mary has appeared in many Hershey Area Playhouse musicals, including The Sound of Music, Annie, The Wizard of Oz and Oliver! She was Lois Lane/Bianca in the LDHS production of Kiss Me, Kate and has appeared in all of her high school musicals. She participated in District and Regional Chorus and is the vocalist of the LDHS Jazz Band. She would like to thank her family and friends for all their support.

Rebecca Kolstrom (Cinderella)

Rebecca will be entering 9th Grade at Hershey High School. Rebecca has previously appeared in Through the Looking Glass with Derry Presbyterian Church, Les Miserables with Hershey High School, and Oliver! with Hershey Area Playhouse. She plays the flute, guitar and piano. She also runs cross-country for Hershey and enjoys playing softball and dancing.

Matthew Kurtas (Baker)

Matthew is excited to make his debut at Hershey Area Playhouse. Matthew is a Lancaster, Pennsylvania native and hopes you enjoy today's presentation of Into the Woods Junior.  Other previous professional credits include: "Young David" in Psalms of David at Sight and Sound Theaters, "Ensemble" in BIG and "Ensemble" in A Christmas Celebration at 3 Little Bakers Dinner Theater, "Ensemble" in The Music Man, "Ensemble" in The Secret Garden at the Fulton Opera House, Will Rogers Jr. in The Will Roger's Follies at Capitol Dinner Theater, "Aristocrat" in Evita, "Villager" in Wonderful Town at Ephrata Performing Arts Center and "Augustus Gloop" in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Dutch Apple Dinner Theater.

Brydon Lidle (Baker)

This is Brydon's fourth year with Hershey Area Playhouse. He was a member of the cast of both The Wizard of Oz and Oliver! Also, he played in the Pit orchestra on trumpet for Cinderella. Brydon was also a member of the cast of A Midsummer Nights Dream playing the role of Flute/Thisbe. He has been acting since the age of 8 and as a senior at Hershey High School hopes to pursue a career in either Musical Education or Directing. Theatre has already become a critical part in his life. He works for the Hershey Trolley as one of the performers on the trolley. He takes every opportunity that he gets to be on stage and loves every moment of it. Brydon wants to thank his parents for all of their love and support of him in the arts.

Coleman Lidle (Wolf)

This is Coleman's third summer at Hershey Area Playhouse. As a member of the ensemble of Oliver! he also got his hands a little bit wet in the stage crew aspect of theatre as well. He was a member last year of the stage crew for Cinderella and is always the first person on the job if something needs done. He is currently a 7th grader at Hershey Middle School. He enjoys singing, dancing and playing the drums. At the age of 8 he began his "passion for percussion" and has never stopped banging on anything that would make a sound. He also wants to thank his friends and family for love and encouragement and also his older brother Brydon for forcing him to start acting.

Haley Lockner (Stepmother)

Hi! My name is Hailey Lockner and I will be a 7th grader at Hershey Middle School. This is my second production with Hershey Area Playhouse. I enjoy singing - I have been a member of the Central Pennsylvania Youth Opera for the past three years. I'd like to thank my teacher, Mrs. Frankeny, for her encouragement and support!

Paul Luckenbaugh (Jack)

My name is Paul Luckenbaugh. I live with my mom, Becky, my dad, Eric, and my sister, Lynn. I will be a ninth-grader at Palmyra High School in the fall and I enjoy running, acting, singing and playing the trumpet. This is my first Hershey Area Playhouse performance. I have been in Palmyra Elementary School’s production of Into the Woods Junior. I have also been in Palmyra Middle School’s productions of Nifty Fifties, Tied to the Tracks and Fiddler on the Roof Junior. 

Brendan McAlester (Chorus)

Brendan is 11-years-old and is currently in the 5th grade at Hershey Christian School. He has been in children’s choir both at school and at church since he was 5. He takes voice lessons with Roger Lentz. Brendan had the opening solo in the Hershey Free Church production of More than Just a Man which ran for 5 performances this past April. He is in the Susquehanna Children’s Chorale and has many singing roles and drama roles in school musicals and children’s musicals at church. He is the second child of my husband Brad and me. Brad is the Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Lebanon Valley College and I work in full time ministry at the Hershey Free Church. He has a 14-year-old brother named Bradley. Brendan is very active in children’s ministry here at church and he loves basketball and enjoys baseball.

Chelsea Mandes (Baker’s Wife)

Chelsea is grateful to be back on the Hershey Area Playhouse stage for the first time since playing Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz in July 2004. A graduate of Hershey High, she also played Demeter in 2006's Cats. A previous Rotary exchange student, Chelsea is pursuing a double major of foreign relations and musical theatre. She would like to thank her family and awesome friends for their continuing support. Snoogans!!

Nathan Mierski (Chorus)

Nathan, a native of Pittsburgh, will be a sixth grade student at Hershey Middle School. He lives with his parents and siblings, Anney and Marek. He has previously appeared in the Hershey Area Playhouse production of A Christmas Story. Nathan is involved with Boy Scout Pack 200. He is a beginner with the St. Nicholas Junior Tamburitzan Orchestra and a member of the St. Sava Youth Choir. He is happy to be part of an exciting play with such a talented cast!

Ron Myers (Prince)

Name: Ronnie Myers  School: Lower Dauphin Middle School (High school after summer)  Age:13  School Activities: MATHCOUNTS, winner of geography bee 2 years in a row, geography bee state finals participant, spelling bee participant, band, chorus, jazz band, show choir, county band, county chorus, school play, Odyssey of the Mind, Odyssey of the Mind state finals competitor. Out of school activities: Central Pennsylvania friends of jazz youth all-star band, Boy Scouts.  Free Time: I like video games and spaghetti, building models, reading. Previous theatre experience: participated in 2 school plays: Get Smart (Maxwell Smart) and The Beverly Hillbillies (Mr. Drysdale)

Bailey Petersen (Stepmother)

Bailey will be a junior at Hershey High School. She has been dancing since the age of 5 and singing since 10. She is thrilled to be in her fourth Hershey Area Playhouse performance. Her previous plays include Annie, The Wizard of Oz and Cinderella. Best wishes to all the cast and crew.

Samantha Pierce (Stepsister)

Samantha has been doing musicals and plays for a little over two years. She stared out as Young Cosette in Hershey High School’s production of Les Miserables when she was just in sixth grade. Now, a soon to be ninth grader at Hershey High School, she is in her second production with Hershey Area Playhouse. She was also in Fagin’s Gang and a Workhouse Child in Oliver! She has also been in many productions with Open Stage of Harrisburg. She has enjoyed and looks forward to future productions with Hershey Area Playhouse.

Mallory Royer (Grandmother)

Mallory is thrilled to appear at the new Hershey Area Playhouse at Country Meadows after appearing in Playhouse productions of The Man Who Came To Dinner, Annie, Oliver!, The Wizard of Oz and Cinderella. A fifth-grader at Hershey Elementary School, Mallory studies tap, jazz and ballet, plays the piano and viola and enjoys playing soccer. Thanks to director Renee Krizan for her support and encouragement!

Dante Sarracino (Steward)

Dante will be a fifth grader at Derry Intermediate School this fall. He has enjoyed acting ever since preschool, when he started imitating his favorite characters in cartoons and movies. He has performed lead roles in Hershey Area Playhouse’s last two summer drama camps, under the direction of Cory Wilkerson. His hobbies include go-carting, computer games, skiing, music and reading about dragons.

Evan Sassaman (Milky White/Other Cow)

Evan is a fifth grade student at Derry Township School District. He is an active member of the Calvin Choir at Pine Street Presbyterian Church. Evan is involved in scouting and is a member of Pack 200, Webelos I, Scorpion Patrol. Into the Woods Junior is Evan’s first experience with Hershey Area Playhouse, and he is very excited to be a part of the production. Evan’s interests include music, cars, swimming, hiking, golfing, tennis and fishing. 

Lia Schmittel (Grandmother)

Lia, a Lower Dauphin Middle school student, is very excited to have the opportunity to perform on the brand new stage at Hershey Area Playhouse. Her Playhouse experience thus far has been behind the scenes on A Christmas Story. She has performed in several productions and has just competed her role as Groovy Monahan in The Beverly Hillbillies. Prior roles have included a jungle animal and circus performer in Seussical the Musical, and Laura in Get Smart. She has also performed in several music and drama productions at the Hershey Free Church. Lia lives in Londonderry Township. She loves gymnastics and raising rabbits. She would like to thank her family for all their support in her music and drama activities.

Tori Sexsmith (Jack’s Mother)

Tori has been doing musical theatre for about five years now. She started off as a little orphan in Annie at YFC (Harrisburg Youth for Christ). She was in three productions with Youth for Christ: Annie, Guys & Dolls Jr. and A Star is Born. Now 14 years old, she is Jack’s Mother in her second production at Hershey Area Playhouse since being a Workhouse Child and Fagin’s Gang member in Oliver! Tori has also participated in Open Stage of Harrisburg’s summer Musical Theatre Workshop. Tori is a dancer and part of the One Broadway family and has been for 10 years. She would like to thank her father for getting her interested in the theatre.

Emily Sheffy (Jack’s Mother)

Emily is a 14-year-old girl who lives in the small town of Mt. Gretna and has been inspired and pictured her name up in lights as a singer, model and actress ever since she was a child. She is now, and has been working at her goal of being the next Marilyn Monroe. She has been doing school and community functions in theatre and chorus all her life. She has gotten leads at almost every play/musical she has been in. She has taken voice lessons for several years and most recently enrolled at Elizabethtown College. Not only does she love to sing and act, but she also dances, sporting in Stephanie’s Body Talk for four years.

Sarah Taylor (Chorus)

Sarah is a seventh grader at Hershey. Into the Woods Junior is Sarah’s fourth show with Hershey Area Playhouse. Her favorite acting memories include being a horse in Oliver! and now a cat in Into the Woods Junior. She is excited to be a part of the inaugural season in the new Playhouse but is disappointed that her furry fans won’t be able to come and support her. Her dog, cats and favorite horse will have to wait to see Sarah perform in an outside venue someday.

Erin Vrana (Stepsister)

Erin is the daughter of Kent and Sheila Vrana. An eleven-year-old sixth grader at Hershey Middle School, Erin is a vocal student with Roger Lentz. She is a member of the Susquehanna Children’s Chorale under the direction of Judith Shepler. Erin performed a solo during the finale of this year’s Susquehanna Chorale holiday concert. Erin is a member of the Hershey Middle School chorus, the Grace United Methodist Church youth choir and was selected for participation in the 2006 regional Songfest. She was selected to sing in the Teen Spotlight during the 2007 Hershey Area Playhouse Cabaret Night.

Jill Wiley (Cinderella)

Jill feels delighted to be back at her favorite theatre, Hershey Area Playhouse where she was last seen as Bet in Oliver! Jill most recently appeared in the national tour of Beauty and the Beast at the Hershey Theatre in the ensemble. Previous credits include; Annie, Dutch Apple Dinner Theater, and The Music Man at the Fulton Opera House. She is currently the Miss Mid-State Outstanding Teen 2007 in the Miss America's Outstanding Teen organization. Jill would like to thank Renee for this wonderful opportunity, Mom and Dad, and YOU for supporting live theatre! This one's for you Ellie and Ike!