Youth Theater Group Brings Fairy Tales Musical To East Bay Stage

FREMONT, CA — A young cast will soon bring classic fairy tales to life — music included — in a production of “Into the Woods” at Ohlone College’s Smith Center, starting Friday.

Seven performances of “Into the Woods” are scheduled from July 25 through August 3, with the production featuring a cast of 22 teenagers from the StarStruck Theatre group and a live 18-piece orchestra.

“Our young performers have tackled every challenge of this demanding show with courage, creativity, and heart,” said Lori Stokes, StarStruck Theatre’s founding artistic director. “They’ve made me laugh, moved me to tears, and filled me with pride. I am truly in awe of their dedication and spirit.”

StarStruck Theatre is a nonprofit youth performing arts organization that seeks to “enrich the lives of a diverse community by providing theatre arts education, performance opportunities, and musical productions of uncompromising quality,” according to the group.

During Stokes’ decades-long tenure at StarStruck, she’s directed over 45 productions, such as “Beauty and the Beast,” “Footloose,” “Les Miserables,” “Newsies” and “Peter Pan.”

“Into the Woods” is based on a book by James Lapine, which composer Stephen Sondheim turned into a musical nearly 40 years ago. The plots of a handful of Brothers Grimm fairy tales, including “Cinderella,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Little Red Ridinghood” and “Rapunzel,” work their way into the musical – and their outcomes are reimagined.

The production “invites audiences to explore the power of choices, consequences, and what happens after ‘happily ever after,’” shared the StarStruck team.

StarStruck Theatre is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, making the “Into the Woods” show that much more special, according to Stokes.

“Three decades ago, I set out with a vision—to create a place where young people could find their voices, build confidence, and express themselves through the transformative power of theatre,” she said. “Watching this talented cast bring 'Into the Woods' to life has been a beautiful reminder of why that mission continues to matter.”

Catch “Into the Woods” on the following dates at 7:30 p.m.: Friday, July 25; Saturday, July 26; Thursday, July 31; Friday, August 1; and Saturday, August 2. Matinee shows, with a start time of 2:30 p.m., are scheduled on two Sundays: July 27 and August 3.

Tickets are $35 for adults, $30 for seniors, and $25 for children and students (through high school), plus a ticketing fee. To purchase tickets, go here.

StarStruck Theatre recommends the “Into the Woods” production for audience members ages
10 and up due to its mature themes.

The Smith Center is located at 43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont.