For the past four years, I have attended many musicals at California Arts Academy due to my friendship with one of the studio’s longtime actresses, junior Madison Dooley. These performances include “Alice in Wonderland,” “Annie,” “Once on this Island,” “Suessical,” and the most recent, “Into the Woods, Junior.”

Although I have enjoyed every musical I have attended, after watching “Into the Woods, Junior” on its opening night, Jan. 15, I now have a new favorite.

This particular play is set apart from all the rest due to its unique storyline and diverse cast line-up. Famous storybook characters include Cinderella and Prince Charming, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood, the witch who locked Rapunzel in a tower and Rapunzel herself. Other vital characters also include a baker and his wife, and Jack’s cow, Milky White.

As a narrator reads from a storybook on stage, each character portrays each of their individual roles through singing and comedy. The whole story is about how a witch (Cady Mejias) curses the marriage of a baker (Daniel Chaves, Jr.) and his wife (Emma Denbensten). Because of this curse, they are no longer able to have children.

The evil, yet comedic witch informs the baker that if he brings the witch four different objects, she will reverse the spell. However, the baker does not know that the witch only wants the ingredients to create a potion that will restore her youth and beauty.

Each character is vital to the baker’s retrieval of these objects. For example, one ingredient is a cow as white as milk. Throughout the play, the baker struggles to retrieve Jack’s cow, Milky White (Jordan Taylor), which was eventually sold for five magic beans.

The baker is also introduced to Little Red Riding Hood (Sydney Fox), and discovers that he somehow needs to get a hold of her red hood, also an ingredient. After much failure and disappointment, Little Red Riding Hood eventually gives the baker her cloak out of gratitude for saving her from the big bad wolf.

It only took me about five minutes to determine my favorite characters. First, I really enjoyed the character of Milky White, the cow. Although this character did not have any lines, Milky White’s humorous and sarcastic attitude and body language kept me completely entertained.

Aside from the cow, I really liked the character of Prince Charming (Rob Lipert). About mid-way through the performance, the prince and his brother sing a song called, “Agony,” expressing their love for Rapunzel and Cinderella. With one hand on his heart and an over-exaggerated cry, the audience laughed at his hopelessness and enthusiasm to find his true love.

Although Prince Charming is very cocky and arrogant, his “charming” smile and humorous lines kept me, along with the rest of the audience, laughing all the way through the play.

Another aspect of this musical that sets it apart from all the rest is the interaction with the audience. There is not a lot of dancing in this particular musical compared to most other ones, but this gives the cast the opportunity to spend more time acting off stage, walking around in the audience.

The time the cast spent off stage was brief, but the audience seemed to enjoy every second of their “up-close and personal” moments with particular characters.

The performance ends with Prince Charming trying to find his princess, Cinderella. He visits her house where her two stepsisters Lucinda, played by Dooley, and Florinda attempt fitting in the golden slipper by cutting off their heals and toes.

Although somewhat morbid, the audience found it quite hilarious. In addition, the witch’s beauty is restored, but her powers as a sorceress are taken away, leaving her unsatisfied with her newly restored youth. The baker and his wife become pregnant, and Jack is reunited with Milky White.

From a viewer’s standpoint, I do not believe that anything needs to be improved in this performance. The singing is great, the acting is phenomenal and the costumes are intricately embroidered. This musical definitely exceeded my expectations.

Overall, the musical definitely had a happy ending. As always, I applaud director, Daniel Chaves, Jr., for his success in directing yet another amazing performance. I recommend this musical to just about anyone. Whether 5-years old, or 90-years old, it is a performance to be enjoyed by all ages.

“Into the Woods, Junior” continues its run Jan. 22-24. Performances are at California Arts Academy, on Blackstone between Shaw and Gettysburg. The show on Friday is at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday showtimes are at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10 in advance and $12 at the door, with students and seniors receiving half price.

For more information on “Into the Woods, Junior,” visit the Jan. 11 article, ‘Into the Woods, Junior’ presents simplified musical. For more drama reviews, check out the Dec. 7, 2009 article, The Nutcracker exemplifies Christmas spirit.