Into the Woods JR.
A new take on Stephen Sondheim’s and James Lapine’s groundbreaking musical fairytale about wishes and the choices we make.
Show Essentials
21
Roles
+ Ensemble
U
Rated
1
Act

Full Synopsis

The Narrator begins the story
 by guiding the company through each character's wish ("Opening Parts 1-9"). Cinderella wishes to go to the King's Festival; Jack wishes his cow, Milky-White, would give him milk; and the Baker and Baker's Wife wish to have a child. Jack's Mother wishes for gold and a less foolish son. Since their cow won't produce any milk, she insists that Jack take the cow
 to market to sell her. Cinderella's Stepmother and her stepsisters, Florinda and Lucinda, laugh at Cinderella's wish. With Cinderella's Father, they ride off to the ball without Cinderella, leaving her behind in tears. After stopping at the bakery for sweets, Little Red Ridinghood prepares to travel into the woods to see her sick Granny.

At their home, the Baker and his Wife are visited by the Witch next door. She reveals that the Baker's father is the reason the couple's wish will never come true. She explains that, in the past, for his pregnant mother, the Baker's father stole magical beans from the Witch's garden. To punish them, the Witch placed a curse on the family, guaranteeing none would ever bear children again, including the Baker and his Wife. Once born, the Witch took the Baker's sister (a sibling that he never knew existed) and hid her in a tower far, far away. In order to break the spell and get his wish, the Witch tells the Baker he has three days to bring her four items: a cow as white as milk, a cape as red as blood, hair as yellow as corn and a slipper as pure as gold.

As the Baker prepares for his journey, he puts on his father's old jacket and finds six beans in the pocket. Forbidding his Wife to join him on the quest, he tries to memorize the list of things the Witch has asked for. At the grave of Cinderella's Mother, Cinderella shares her wish and is granted a beautiful dress and slippers to wear to the ball ("Cinderella at the Grave"). While walking through the woods to market, Jack encounters a Mysterious Man who says his cow is worth only a sack of beans. Little Red Ridinghood meets a Wolf who targets her and her grandmother for his next meal ("Hello, Little Girl"). We hear the voice of the Baker's lost sister, Rapunzel, singing in the distance ("Underscore after 'Hello, Little Girl'").

As the Baker struggles to remember the four objects on his list, his Wife persuades Jack to sell Milky-White to her for five of their beans. After Jack's sad farewell, the Baker's Wife tries to allay the Baker's guilt by insisting they did Jack a favor ("I Guess This Is Goodbye/Maybe They're Magic").

The Witch visits Rapunzel at the tower where she is kept prisoner ("Rapunzel"). Rapunzel's Prince sees the Witch climb Rapunzel's hair and decides to try it himself the following day.

The Baker unsuccessfully tries to take Little Red Ridinghood's cape ("Baker's Reprise"). She enters her Granny's house to find the Wolf in bed, pretending to be the old woman (whom he has eaten). He gobbles up Little Red Ridinghood and falls asleep. The Baker, hoping to get the cape, cuts the Wolf's stomach open, releasing Little Red Ridinghood and her Granny. After the ordeal, Little Red Ridinghood realizes how naive she was ("I Know Things Now") and gives the Baker her cape as a gift for saving her life.

Jack's mother is furious with 
him for selling their cow for five worthless beans and throws them away. The Baker's Wife leads Milky-White through the forest when she encounters Cinderella, who is running from Cinderella's Prince and his Steward. Cinderella isn't sure she wants the Prince, and the Baker's Wife thinks she is a fool ("A Very Nice Prince"). Seeing Cinderella's gold shoes, the Baker's Wife tries to take one but is forced to chase after the runaway cow as the final chime of the first midnight is heard.

The next morning, Jack discovers 
a beanstalk has grown overnight. As the Baker sleeps beneath a tree, Jack appears with an oversized sack full of money, singing about giants ("Giants in the Sky"). Jack's Mother, delighted by his acquisition, has let him keep five gold pieces, which he uses to try and buy back Milky-White, but the Baker cannot sell the cow because he needs it for the Witch. Jack, thinking the Baker wants more money, goes back up the beanstalk in search of additional funds. The Baker's Wife appears, confessing she has lost the cow.

Rapunzel's Prince and Cinderella's Prince exchange tales of woe ("Agony"), each insisting his romantic problem is more serious than his brother's.

The Mysterious Man returns the cow to the Baker. The Baker's Wife, recognizing Rapunzel's hair as the perfect shade to satisfy the Witch's demands, rips out one of the girl's substantial tresses ("Rapunzel's Reprise") and runs into Cinderella, who is on her way home from another night at the Festival. The Baker's Wife tries again, without success, to take Cinderella's shoe. The Baker finally agrees to accept his Wife's help, realizing it will take both of them to accomplish their goal ("It Takes Two"). Jack returns to the Baker with a golden egg that he offers in exchange for Milky-White when, all of a sudden, the cow lets out a terrible yelp and falls to the ground dead.

With two midnights gone, the Baker goes in search of another cow. Meanwhile, Rapunzel is defiant and tells the Witch that she wants to see the world. After warning Rapunzel to obey her ("Stay with Me"), the infuriated Witch cuts off most of Rapunzel's hair and exiles her. The Narrator reveals that, while pursuing Rapunzel, her prince has fallen into a patch of thorns and blinded himself.

Leaving her third visit to the royal ball with only one slipper, Cinderella reflects on her indecision about departing her miserable home for the unknown aspects of life with the Prince ("On
 the Steps of the Palace"). To help her continue to run from the Prince, the Baker's Wife gives Cinderella her own shoes in exchange for the remaining gold slipper.

The Baker and his Wife report to
 the Witch with their four objects. After rejecting the new cow – that is not actually white, but just covered with flour – the Witch demands they bring the dead Milky-White to her. She restores the cow to life and commands the Baker
 to feed the cow the other objects, insisting that it be milked to fill a silver goblet. Jack tries, but no milk flows ("The Potion Part 1"). When the Baker's Wife says she pulled the hair as yellow as corn from a maiden in 
a tower, the Witch explains she, the Witch, cannot have touched any of the objects needed to break the spell. 
The Mysterious Man, revealed to be
 the Baker's father, suggests feeding
 the cow the hair from an ear of corn. The cow fills the goblet with milk that the Witch drinks, transforming her into a beautiful woman ("The Potion Part 2"). As the third midnight strikes, the Baker's father dies and Milky-White is reunited with Jack. The Prince finally finds his Cinderella and Rapunzel, reunited with her Prince, restores his vision with her tears. The Witch realizes that, in exchange for her own youth and beauty, she has lost her magical power over others.

Having broken the curse, the Baker's Wife is happily pregnant, and the Narrator observes that the kingdoms are now filled with joy. We are reminded there will be times when each of us must journey into the woods but that we must mind the future and the past ("Finale Parts 1-6").

Casting
← Back to Into the Woods JR.
Cast Size: Medium (11 to 20 performers)
Cast Type: Children
Dance Requirements: Standard

Character Breakdown

Narrator

The narrator is the storyteller who speaks directly to the audience. This character helps control the pacing of the show and always needs to be ready for their next entrance, as they pop in and out throughout the story. Find a charismatic girl or boy with great diction for this large speaking role with minimal singing.

Gender: any
Vocal range top: D4
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Jack
Jack is an energetic young man who is always looking for an adventure. He begins this show as a  simple little boy (his best friend is a cow), but by the end of the show he learns a few valuable lessons. You will want to cast an excellent singer and actor who can show great range in this demanding role.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Jack's Mother

Raising a son and running a farm all by herself has made Jack's Mother a bit frazzled and most definitely overworked. Jack s Mother is a great role for a character actress with solid comic timing and good singing skills. 

Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Baker
The Baker is a good-hearted, likeable person who believes he can take on the Witch s curse all by himself. At first, this confidence and his desire to have a child drives him, but he soon learns he needs his wife s help to accomplish the goal. Cast an excellent actor and singer who is both personable and capable or portraying the Baker s strength of conviction.
Gender: male
Baker's Wife

The Baker's Wife is a strong, determined and loving woman whose desire to have a child drives the action of the whole show. Her storyline helps tie all the characters storylines together. Cast one of your strongest female performers in this role as it requires both excellent singing and acting as well as a good sense of comedic timing.

Vocal range top: E5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Little Red Ridinghood

Little Red starts the show as a loud, bratty, pushy, glutton who happily manipulates people and situations to get her way. Eventually, she learns some valuable lessons and softens around the edges. The actress you cast should have a loud, powerful voice and be a good actor. Ideally, your Little Red will have a strong sense of musicality (her songs are often rhythmically challenging).

Gender: female
Vocal range top: Eb5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Witch

The Witch is an ancient, mysterious and manipulative woman who will do anything possible to regain her beauty and protect Rapunzel. While she may seem old and haggard, she still has the strength to control other people. This role is perfect for a good character actress and singer who can physically and vocally portray the complexities of the role.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: C4
Florinda and Lucinda

Cinderella's Stepsisters are spoiled brats who care only about themselves and marrying Cinderella's Prince. Cast two actresses who work well together and are able to portray their cattiness in a bold and comical way.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: G4
Vocal range bottom: C4
Mysterious Man
Just like the name suggests, this is one mysterious man. Everything he does is to help the Baker, but he does not explain his motives until the last moment. Cast an engaging character actor who can speak the Mysterious Man s often puzzling lines clearly in this non-singing role.
Gender: male
Wolf

The Wolf is a sly and dangerous character intently focused on attacking Little Red Ridinghood. Cast an actor and singer who can physically and vocally bring the Wolf to life. Also keep your wolf on two feet: don't have the actor try to walk on his hands and knees.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: Bb3
Granny

Granny is a feisty woman who is not afraid to fight the Wolf face to face. This non-singing role is perfect for a young performer able to make strong character choices.

Gender: female
Steward
The Steward is the servant of Cinderella s Prince. He is dependable and willing to do whatever Cinderella s Prince asks. This smaller featured role is perfect for a performer new to the stage.
Gender: male
Milky-White

Milky-White is Jack s cow. You could use a cardboard or plaster cow for this role, but it can be a lot of fun to cast a child as Milky-White. If you do cast a child in this role, look for a focused performer with an expressive face.

Gender: any
Cinderella's Father

Cinderella's Father will not win any Father-of-the-Year awards. He doesn't care about his daughter's well-being or her actions. This non-singing role is perfect for a new performer just learning to be comfortable onstage.

Gender: male
Cinderella's Prince

Cinderella's Prince is a conceited man who adamantly pursues Cinderella and can't take no for an answer. When not chasing her, he is trying to show up Rapunzel's Prince. This role requires a good singer and actor who can portray arrogance while still being likeable.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Cinderella's Mother

Cinderella' s Mother comforts Cinderella in her one short song. She has no dialogue, so cast a singer with a strong, pleasant voice for this role.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: D4
Rapunzel's Prince

Rapunzel's Prince is the pompous and arrogant brother of Cinderella's Prince. Sibling rivalry runs rampant between the brothers, including each brother's belief that his lady love is the most beautiful. Cast a talented singer who can portray confidence both physically and vocally.

Gender: male
Vocal range top: D5
Vocal range bottom: B3
Cinderella's Stepmother

Cinderella's Stepmother is a mean, evil woman who only cares about her birth children, daughters Florinda and Lucinda. She has only a few singing lines, so look mainly for an actress who can portray both the strong distaste the character has for Cinderella as well as the love she showers on her own spoiled daughters.

Gender: female
Cinderella

Cinderella is a simple peasant girl whose one wish is to go to the Festival. Unfortunately, when her wish comes true she learns that wishes sometimes come with consequences. Cinderella s inner beauty always shines through her sometimes clumsy and awkward exterior. Cast a great singer and actor who is charming while maintaining a sense of humor.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: A3
Rapunzel

Rapunzel has been stuck in a tower for the majority of her life. Finally, she stands up to the Witch in order to get out to see the world. This role doesn t have a great deal of dialogue, but you will want to cast an excellent soprano singer.

Gender: female
Vocal range top: F#5
Vocal range bottom: G4
Full Song List
Into The Woods JR.: Opening Part 1
Into The Woods JR.: Opening Part 2
Into The Woods JR.: Opening Part 3
Into The Woods JR.: Opening Part 4
Into The Woods JR.: Opening Part 5
Into The Woods JR.: Opening Part 6
Into The Woods JR.: Opening Part 7
Into The Woods JR.: Opening Part 8
Into The Woods JR.: Opening Part 9
Into The Woods JR.: Cinderella at the Grave
Into The Woods JR.: Hello, Little Girl
Into The Woods JR.: I Guess This is Goodbye/Maybe They're Really Magic
Into The Woods JR.: I Know Things Now
Into The Woods JR.: A Very Nice Prince
Into The Woods JR.: Giants in the Sky
Into The Woods JR.: Agony
Into The Woods JR.: It Takes Two
Into The Woods JR.: Stay With Me
Into The Woods JR.: On the Steps of the Palace
Into The Woods JR.: Ever After

Connect

Curriculum Connection

  • Fairy Tales
  • Folklore
  • Animal Habits
  • Environments
  • Bartering
  • Responsibility
  • Achieving Goals

Billing

Based on classic fairy tales

Requirements

Under the terms and conditions of your organisation’s Performance Agreement, the following credits must appear on all advertising (including websites) relating to the production. Credits must be reproduced faithfully in accordance with the following layout. No alterations or deletions can be permitted unless stated below.
Percentages listed indicate required type size in relation to title size.

Author Billing – Into the Woods JR.

In accordance with the Performance Agreement, all advertising, such as posters and programme covers, must include the show logo as provided in the ShowKit® Director's Guide and all of the following author billing.

It is a violation of your contract if you crop or edit this logo in any way.

The [Licensee]
Production of
Into The Woods JR.
Book by Music and Lyrics by
James Lapine Stephen Sondheim
Originally Directed on Broadway by James Lapine
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

Included Materials

ItemQuantity Included

Production Resources

Resource
ACTOR'S BOOK TENPACK
CUSTOMIZABLE SHOW POSTER
FAMILY MATTERS
FAMILY MATTERS (PACK OF 10)
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON-10/CS
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON?
LOGO PACK
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK ADULT LARGE
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK ADULT MEDIUM
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK ADULT SMALL
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK ADULT X-LARGE
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK ADULT XX-LARGE
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK CHILD LARGE
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK CHILD MEDIUM
LOGO TEES SIX-PACK CHILD SMALL