The local musical, “Into the Woods, Junior,” starring campus junior Madison Dooley, will be performed by the California Arts Academy (CAA), Jan. 15-24. The tale takes the audience through many plots and conflicts relating to well-known fairy tales.

Dooley will take on the role of Lucinda, Cinderella’s stepsister, in her third role at the CAA as a high school student. As a freshman, Dooley played the lead role in “Alice in Wonderland”. She also portrayed three minor roles as a sophomore in CAA’s “Annie” presentation.

Unlike the original Broadway show, “Into the Woods,” the CAA show is a junior version; the play edits out certain acts in order to make this musical shorter and simpler.

“This show is so much fun not only to perform in, but also to watch backstage,” Dooley said. “There is never a dull moment in the show; I find myself either laughing at whats happening on stage or being amazed at the many great performers.”

Abbreviated versions of fairy tales include Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood and many more. Besides the narrator, the show consists of several important characters, instead of a single focus. The main themes in each story occur in the same forest-like setting, using comedy, drama and emotion to portray the struggles of particular characters.

“Each cast member plays their role wonderfully, getting other cast and audience members more involved in the show,” Dooley said.

For a review of the play, “Into the Woods, Junior,” visit the Jan. 20 article, Storybook characters shine ‘Into the Woods’.

“Into the Woods, Junior” is directed by Daniel Chavez Jr. and will be performing at California Arts Academy on Blackstone between Shaw and Gettysburg. Performances will be held Jan. 15-24: Fridays at 7:30 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7:30. Tickets cost $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Students and seniors are half price.