Digital playbill: INTO THE WOODS

Directed by CHASE RAMSEY

Music Direction by AMELIA ROSE MOORE Choreography by JANESSA RAMSEY

Music & Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM Book by JAMES LAPINE Presented through arrangement with MTI

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

Originally produced by the Old Globe Theater, San Diego, CA

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.

DUE TO LICENSING AGREEMENTS, ANY VIDEO AND/OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PRODUCTION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

Produce r

SCERA President & CEO

Adam J. Robertson Director

Chase Ramsey

Music Director

Amelia Rose Moore

Choreographer

Janessa Ramsey

Stage Manager

Kaylee Kress

Scenic Designer

Chase Ramsey

Costume Designers

Kelsey Seaver

Deborah Bowman

Lighting Designer

Elizabeth Griffiths

Props Designer

Christy Norton

Sound Designer

Audio Engineer

Chase Elison

Scenic Shop Manager

Zippy Hellewell

Carpenters

Zippy Hellewell

Victoria Larsen

Ethan Harrison

Carson Severts

Trevor Kroff

Scenic Painters

Faith Sage

Kalicia Moore

Daisy Bailey

Madi Fontana

Olivia Kleven

Brighton Aland

Stitchers

Kelsey Seaver

Deborah Bowman

Abigail Clay

Electricians

Garrett Roblyer

Crysta Lamb

Props Assistants

Kaysie Norton

Megan Bird

Deck Crew

Ethan Harrison

Followspots

Emily Jay

Acacia Griffiths

This project is supported by the Utah Arts Council, with funding from the State of Utah and the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

C ast of C hara C ters

Cinderella ....................................................................................................................LAUREN POPE

Jack. ............................................................................................................................... COLE HIXSON

Baker .................................................................................................................... MARSHALL LAMM

Baker’s Wife ............................................................................................................... RIAN GORDON

Stepmother .......................................................................................................... CHARISSE FINCH

Lucinda ............................................................................................................. MCKENNA THOMAS

Jack’s Mother / Cinderella’s Mother ..................................................................... ALYSSA RICH

Little Red Riding Hood ................. STELLA PARRY (SEPT. 15, 22, 30, AND OCT. 2, 5, 6, 7) ELIZA JOHNSON (SEPT. 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 29)

The Witch .......................................................................................................... SAMANTHA FRISBY

Cinderella’s Father / Wolf / Steward .......................................................... DANIEL CESPEDES

Mysterious Man.................................................................................................. MARC HADDOCK

Rapunzel ............................................................................................. MARIAH GRACE BOWMAN

Rapunzel’s Prince .........................................................................................................ISAAC MOSS

Cinderella’s Prince ............................................................................................. CAMERON WARD

Granny / Milky White / Florinda ........................................................... SHANNON FOLLETTE

s C enes & M usi C al n u M bers

ACT I

Scene 1: Prologue / Into the Woods ................................................................................Company

Scene 2: Cinderella At the Grave .. .................................. Cinderella, Cinderella’s Mother

Hello Little Girl .. ..................................................... Wolf, Little Red Riding Hood

I Guess This Is Goodbye ...................................................................................... Jack

Maybe They’re Magic ............................................................... Baker, Baker’s Wife

Our Little World .. ........................................................................... Rapunzel, Witch

I Know Things Now .......................................................... Little Red Riding Hood

A Very Nice Prince .. ......................................................... Cinderella, Baker’s Wife

First Midnight .. .......................................................................................... Company

Scene 3: Giants in the Sky .. .............................................................................................. Jack

Agony ....................................................... Cinderella’s Prince, Rapunzel’s Prince

It Takes Two .. ............................................................................ Baker, Baker’s Wife

Second Midnight .. .................................................................................... Company

Scene 4: Stay With Me ............................................................................................................... Witch

On the Steps of the Palace .............................................Wolf, Little Red Riding Hood

Scene 5:

Ever After ................................................................................................................Company

ACT 2

Scene 1: Prologue / So Happy .............................................................................................Company

Scene 2: Agony (Reprise) ..................................................... Cinderella, Rapunzel’s Prince

Witch’s Lament .................................................................................................. Witch

Any Moment ...................................................... Baker’s Wife, Cinderella’s Prince

Moments in the Woods ........................................................................ Baker’s Wife

Your Fault ................... Baker, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack, Witch

Last Midnight .................................................................................................... Witch

No More .. ............................................................................ Baker, Mysterious Man

No One Is Alone .. ................... Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Baker, Jack

Finale ........................................................................................................... Company

D ire C tor ' s n ote

by Chase Ramsey

In my life lately, I have been feeling like I need to be doing BIG things. Like I want to be surfing 50 foot waves! (This is a metaphor of course). Wishing I was back in New York taking part in huge projects. Shooting for the stars and thriving like I was made to thrive. This is much like the characters in this story. Wishing for something BIGGER.

Someone in my life who I love very much told me recently that the things I see as a "50 foot wave" are actually meaningless to them and that what I have right now looks a lot more like a "50 foot wave." All of this wishing to be somewhere else is what was causing me pain in the first place. Thinking that out there I'm going to find something that will finally make me feel better is the thing that made it impossible to see what I already have.

As I think about it... it's like... Wait a minute... I have surfed a lot of "50 foot waves" and STILL didn't find what I was looking for. Thus comes the second act.

As I let go of my big wishes, it's as though, wherever I am, I am surfing a "50 foot wave." And in turn, I become open to whatever comes my way and I know it's going to be wonderful. The surprising thing is that as I let go of the wish, my goals and dreams start to appear and show themselves like never before.

And now, a note for the cast and crew: Putting on a musical at a community theatre has continued to astonish me. Everyone is working overtime with the sheer will and love of a thousand mothers to do something they are proud of. This group has climbed mountains to bring this show tonight. They are astonishing. It's a sacrifice of love and passion that we are all so very lucky to experience. I hope that you (whoever got this far reading) can feel that love tonight. I promise if you're open to it you will find it!

Photos by Rachael Gibson

Cast & staff biographies

(in alphabetical order by last name)

MARIAH GRACE

BOWMAN

(Rapunzel) Grace is ecstatic to make her SCERA debut in Into The Woods. Grace is a student at UVU where she is studying Acting. She has had the pleasure of playing Juliet in Romeo and Juliet at UVU and hopes to reprise that role at Shakespeare's Globe one day. Some of her favorite roles in the past have been Matilda in Matilda (OHS) Catherine in Taming of the Shrew (UVYP) and Hero in Much Ado About Nothing (OHS). Grace sincerely hopes you relish in her wails in the form of song and tears.

DANIEL CESPEDES

(Wolf / Steward / Cinderella’s Prince) Daniel is thrilled to be back at SCERA! He is currently studying towards his BFA in Musical Theatre at UVU. Some of his favorite credits include: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Phoebus) and Les Miserables (Marius), and other roles such as Troy in High School Musical; Lancelot in Camelot, Ensemble in The Addams Family, and most recently Jud Fry in Oklahoma! He’d like to extend massive gratitude to Chase Ramsey, Janessa Ramsey, Amelia Moore, and Kaylee Kress for bringing to life this amazing production! Daniel would also like to thank his family for the love and support they give him and knows he wouldn’t be where he is without the support from his talented little sister Tanya. IG: @d cespy

CHASE ELISON

(Sound & Lighting Manager) Chase has been involved in theatre since he was 11 in SCERA’s Oliver . At age 15, he began working at the Lehi Arts Center,

where he has run and designed countless productions in lighting and audio. Chase currently serves as SCERA’s Sound and Lighting Manager, and has designed lighting for many of SCERA’s Theatre for Young Audiences productions, and most recently for Cinderella: The Tale of the Glass Slipper and A Christmas Story: The Musical. “I dedicate my work to my grandparents Jerry & Barbara. They introduced me to theatre and music at a young age. My grandma taught me piano for many years, and I had the honor of working with my grandpa for several productions here at SCERA. Love and miss you guys, ‘Ya done good!’”

CHARISSE FINCH

(Stepmother) Charisse is so grateful and excited to be back at SCERA! She has loved working with the directors and this amazing cast. She was most recently seen on the SCERA stage this summer as Aunt Eller in Oklahoma! and last year as Ms. Darbus in High School Musical Other favorite roles include Marmee in Little Women, Maud Dunlop in The Music Man , and roles in A Christmas Story, Freaky Friday, Jekyll and Hyde, and Joseph...Dreamcoat. Charisse is an elementary school counselor (go RME Cougars!) and enjoys traveling with her family and doting on their miniature schnauzer. Thanks to Brenner for pulling his mom into the musical theater world with him a few years ago, and to Jon for supporting his wife’s dramatic antics. “May we all help each other on our journey Into the Woods :).”

SHANNON FOLLETTE

(Florinda / Milky White/ Granny) Shannon is genuinely grateful and beyond thrilled to be back on stage at SCERA! Favorite SCERA credits include

Annie in The Play That Goes Wrong, Carol in Catch Me If You Can, Deb in Elf the Musical, Hannah in Newsies, Sister Mary Lazarus in Sister Act, and Belinda in Noises Off. By day, Shannon works in Human Resources so that she can provide a good life for her two cats. Shannon would like to thank the creative team for this incredible opportunity, her sweet husband and family and friends for laughing at her jokes and encouraging her to pursue her passions, and each and every audience member for coming out to support the arts.

SAMANTHA FRISBY

(The Witch) Samantha is so excited to be back on the SCERA stage! She's a SCERA Youth Theatre and Acting Up alumni. SCERA is where she fell in love with theater after playing Adelaide here in Guys and Dolls Jr. at 11 years old. She was last seen in Into The Woods at SCERA in 2009 playing Lucinda. A few years later she moved to New York where she studied musical theater at AMDA and performed in various cabaret venues around the city while living the starving actress life. Other credits include: Janet in The Drowsy Chaperone, Sandra in All Shook Up (Yorktown Stage and SCERA Shell), Paula Abagnale in Catch Me If You Can, Fantine in Les Miserables, Glinda/Aunt Em in Wizard of Oz, ChaCha in Grease (SCERA), Jovie in Elf (Lehi Arts), Urinetown (HCTO), Gertie Cummins in Okalahoma! (UVU), The Polar Express Train Ride (Whippany, NJ), and Young Performing Missionary in Nauvoo, IL. Thank you Mom, Dad, and Ryan for staying with me as I've been lost in the woods.

RIAN GORDON

(Baker’s Wife) Rian is thrilled to be returning to the stage after an 8-year hiatus, and couldn't be more grateful to be playing this dream role alongside such an incredible and openhearted cast and crew. Favorite roles

include Featured Ensemble in Le s Miserables (SCERA - the production where she met her wonderful husband), Jane in Disney's Tarza n (SCERA), Fred's Wife/Charwoman in A Chris tmas Carol (HCTO), Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie (OHS), Adelaide in Guys and Do lls (OHS), and Sandra in All Shook Up (OHS). "Thank you so much to Chase, Janessa, and Amelia for giving me this opportunity, and thank you always to my sweetheart and kiddos for your unfailing support and for facilitating this return to such an important part of myself. Love you always!”

ELIZABETH OTTLEY GRIFFITHS

(Lighting Designer) Liz received a degree in theater education from Brigham Young University. She currently serves on the Board for the Lehi Community Theater as a lighting designer. She works with several communities in their lighting programs. She loves designing for SCERA, some of her favorite shows have been Oklahoma, Mary Poppins, The Spongebob Musical, Disney’s Descendants, and Catch Me If You Can! She is also the mother of four very rambunctious children, Acacia, Josh, Emmeline and Grace! She would like to thank her kids and her devoted and wonderful husband Casey for all of his patience and support of her theater habit.

MARC HADDOCK

(Mysterious Man) Marc is happy to be back at SCERA, where he last performed in My Fair Lady He has been appearing in plays and musicals in Utah County for 35 years. He is a retired newspaperman and lives in American Fork with his wife, Sharon. They share 12 children and 41 grandchildren.

Cast & staff biographies

(in alphabetical order by last name)

ZIPPY HELLEWELL

(Scene Shop Manager)

Zippy graduated from UVU with an AA in Theatre Arts. He has been doing theatre since 5th grade when he was in his elementary school's production of Guys and Dolls Jr. and has loved it ever since, and jumped back in front of the lights in last summer’s High School Musical. Zippy started off acting, but he also found his love for backstage along the way. He started working in technical theatre in junior high and high school, as well as some classes at UVU. He’s spent the past few years at SCERA working on sets and backstage, and recently designed the set for Cinderella: The Tale of the Glass Slipper and A Christmas Story: The Musical.

COLE HIXSON

(Jack) Cole is so excited to be back on the SCERA stage! Since the age of eight, Cole has been performing in musical theater productions throughout Utah County. Favorite roles include Carlos in Disney’s Descendants, JoJo in Seussical Jr., Laurie in Little Women, Benjamin in Joseph..Dreamcoat, Gideon in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, and most recently, Emmett Forest in Legally Blonde Jr. Cole is now studying at UVU in the BFA Musical Theatre program. He would like to thank his loved ones for always supporting him.

ELIZA JOHNSON

(Little Red Riding HoodSept. 16, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 29) Eliza is a junior at Orem High and is thrilled to be back joining SCERA for one of her favorite shows. She first found her love for theater many years

ago as a part of SCERA Youth Theatre. Some of her favorite credits include Aladdin, Alice in Wonderland and Moana (SCERA) as well as Newsies, Joseph... Dreamcoat, Descendants and Beauty and the Beast (HCTO Youth). Other than theatre, Eliza loves to disco skate, go on drives, and drink slurpees. Huge thank you to friends and family for always being so supportive!

KAYLEE KRESS

(Stage Manager) This is Kaylee’s first show with SCERA! She graduated from BYU this spring with a degree in Advertising and a minor in Theater Arts. She loves to be a part of creating the magic on stage whether through stage managing, performing, or designing. While at BYU, she worked as a stage manager for the fine arts department and several of the touring dance teams. However, this is the first musical she has stage managed for since working on The Secret Garden in 2019. Kaylee has been grateful for the opportunity to dive back into the theater world and work with so many talented people. It all goes to show that you find your way back to things when you truly love them!

MARSHALL LAMM

(Baker) Marshall most recently took his first turn on the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre stage in Oklahoma, having previously played the D’Ysquith Family in Hale Center Theater Orem’s A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. “Thank you to Emma, Henry, and Millie for being you—love you! Love you, Annette!”

AMELIA ROSE MOORE

(Music Director) Favorite performance credits include: Morticia Addams (The Addams Family), The Chaperone (The Drowsy Chaperone), Narrator (Joseph...Dreamcoat), Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Dorcus (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers), Madame Thenardier (Les Miserables), Mrs. Wormwood (Matilda). Favorite production credits: Jo seph...Dreamcoat (director, choreographer), Pr ide and Prejudice (choreographer), Fro zen Jr (music director), A Christmas Carol (choreography), Legally Blonde Jr. (music director). Amelia works fulltime in the Education Department at HCTO teaching voice lessons, as well as directing, choreographing and music directing their youth musicals.

ISAAC MOSS

(Rapunzel’s Prince) Isaac is thrilled to be making his SCERA debut after a two year break from performing. He recently returned from his church service mission in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Some of his favorite credits include Officer O' Hara in Arsenic and Old Lace (WVCA), Porthos in The Three Musketeers (MMHS), Officer Trotter in The Pirates of Penzance (MRHS) and A Christmas Carol (HCTO). He will begin studying Theatre Education at BYU this fall. He would like to thank his family for their constant love and support!

CHRISTY NORTON (Properties Designer)

Christy grew up in Orem and remembers going to SCERA as a child. She taught dance for 20+ years and was the Youth Dance director at SCERA for four years. Christy started designing props for SCERA in 2014. Her first production was The Cat in the Hat and since that time she has designed more than 80 productions. Christy loves the unique creative challenge of

designing props to help tell the story! Special thanks to her husband Ben and three children and to her SCERA family for believing in me and supporting me.

STELLA PARRY

(Little Red Riding HoodSept. 15, 22, 30, and Oct. 2, 5, 6, 7 ) Stella is so excited to return for her seventh show at SCERA! She was recently seen on the Shell stage in Oklahoma! Other credits include Legally Blonde Jr. (HCTO), Big Fish (THS) and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (THS). Stella has trained at the Utah Conservatory of the Performing Arts for the past 9 years in dance, singing, and acting, and is a Senior at Timpview High School. Special thanks to Mom, Dad, and the incredible directing team!

LAUREN POPE

(Cinderella ) Lauren is so excited to be returning to this show—her first ever musical was Into the Woods in 7th grade where she played Cinderella’s mother (she was wise beyond her years). She’s grateful for the chance to rewind the clock and play such a good, kind, wildly indecisive servant-turned-princess. Lauren most recently performed as Maria in The Sound of Music at Sundance, and before that was seen in Titanic, The Light in the Piazza, The Secret Garden, A Christmas Carol, and Les Misérables at the Hale Centre Theatre in Sandy. Some other favorite roles include Ophelia in Hamlet, Ariel in The Little Mermaid, and Belle in Beauty and the Beast.

CHASE RAMSEY

(Director / Scenic Designer)

SCERA directing credits include: Oklahoma!, The Play That Goes Wrong, SpongeBob The Musical, Noises Off, Shrek, Cinderella, Tarzan, and My Fair Lady. He also wrote

Cast & staff biographies

(in alphabetical order by last name)

eight musicals along with David Smith that premiered here at SCERA. Chase can soon be seen in movie theaters for Kevin Costner's epic Horizon Series (WB) and a new thriller called The Roughneck. Recent movies are Falling for Christmas (Netflix), Sweet Pecan Summer (Hallmark), Yellowstone (Paramount), The Storied Life of AJ Fikry (Amazon), and Law & Order. Also known for his work as past Food Network host as well as a show director for the Walt Disney Company, The Guthrie Theatre, Berkeley Rep. and for feature films. Chase is a published playwright and produced screenwriter. Instagram: @chaseramseyreally

JANESSA RAMSEY

(Choreographer ) Janessa is a long time dancer and choreographer, with a history of competition dancing. In high school, dance took her to the theatre and she’s loved it ever since. She’s so happy to be working on this amazing show with her husband. Favorite projects include Oklahoma! (at the SCERA Shell this past July), The Brave and the Wild, Aida, Seussical and Tarzan. “Love to my family. Enjoy the magic.”

ALYSSA RICH

(Jack’s Mother / Cinderella’s Mother ) Alyssa has grown up performing, and coming to shows at SCERA. She is so excited to have the opportunity to live out a childhood dream and finally perform on its stage with such an incredibly talented cast. This is Alyssa’s second time performing in Into the Woods and it will always hold a very special place in her heart. She is very thrilled to play Jack’s mother, and depict the power of a strong mom. She would like to give a big thanks for all the support she’s received during the show!

KELSEY SEAVER

(Costume Designer ) Kelsey is grateful for the opportunity to design and work in the SCERA Costume Shop for the last fourteen years. Some favorite shows she has designed are Singin’ in the Rain, Mary Poppins, The Addams Family, A Christmas Story, Seven Brides, Elf The Musical, The Music Man, Willy Wonka, The Little Mermaid, world premiere of Peter Pan’s Great Adventure, My Fair Lady, Seussical, Shrek, Aida, Beauty and the Beast and many others too numerous to mention. "Thanks to my family for their support, and my husband and three great kids that put up with late nights!"

MCKENNA THOMAS

(Lucinda) McKenna is so happy to return to live theatre after a five year hiatus from the stage—and, finally, as a villain (kind of). A singer/songwriter and graduate of BYU’s Commercial Music program, her original tunes under the artist name “MacK” have over 150k streams on Spotify. In her free time, McKenna enjoys game nights, storytelling, and pole fitness. She would like to thank Britney Spears for inspiring her to start singing in 1998.

CAMERON WARD

(Cinderella’s Prince ) Cameron started on the stage at the age of six and has around 50 productions under his belt. He has worked in venues across the Utah Valley including LPHS, Murray City, AFYT, AFCT, Lehi Arts, HCT and HCTO. Recent credits include Bright Star (Billy Cane - Lehi Arts), Anastasia (Gleb - LPHS), and A Christmas Carol: Youth Edition (ScroogeHCTO). Cameron graduated from Lone Peak High School in 2022 and is currently attending UVU. “Be curious, not judgmental.” @cameronmward

SCERA TEAM

SCERA Board of Directors

Jerry Loveland (Chair)

Karlyn Norton (Past Chair)

Nancy Hale (Chair Elect)

Bryan Pope (Secretary)

Heather Osmond (Treasurer)

Abbie Scott

Dave McCann

Delynn Rodeback

Jeanette Herbert

SCERA President & CEO

Marketing/Development

Adam J. Robertson

Operations Manager

Marketing/Development

April Berlin

Administrative

Services Manager

Lesa Pulham

House Manager

Linda Campbell

Production Manager

Administrative Assistant

Danielle Berry

Brandon Fugal

Bryan Farris

Craig Werner

Cynthia Gambill

Glen Overton

Project & Volunteer Coordinator

Rebecca Boberg

Rentals & Special Events Coordinator

Brodee Ripple

Costume Shop Manager

Kelsey Seaver

Costume Shop Staff

Deborah Bowman

Crysta Lamb

Abigail Clay

Scene Shop Manager

Zippy Hellewell

Prop Shop Manager

Christy Norton

Sound & Lighting Manager

Chase Elison

Box Office Staff

Melanie Holdaway

Tiffany Swank

Ali Pangan

Hadley Knight

Jeanette Smith

Kirstin Millard

PRESIDENT'S ADVISORY COUNCIL

Greg Olsen

Greg Reed

James Clarke

Jason Craddock

Jeanette Bennett

Jennifer Durrant

Jim Evans

Mary Robinson

Laurie Stokes

Rita Wright

NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD

Asst. House Managers

Dahl Jenkins

Quin Swallow

Betty Sager

Julia Krebs

Jakob Ellinger

Facilities Staff

Natacia Buckner

Skyler Grant

Brandon Beard

Makay Anderson

Graphic Design

Stephanie Bird

April Berlin

Photographers

Rachael Gibson

Derick Wolsleger

Concessions/Ushers

SCERA Volunteers

scera.org/volunteer

Sam Cardon

Terri Lindorf

Will Fowlke

Yevon Romney

Jim Brickman

Composer/Entertainer

Ashly Delgrosso-Costa

Professional Dancer

Crystal Gayle

Entertainer

Gary Herbert

Former Utah Governor

Michael McLean

Composer/Entertainer

Michael Martin Murphy Entertainer

Alan Osmond Producer/Entertainer

Ben Vereen

Broadway Star