Theater Group To Give Free Performance of "Into the Woods, Jr" For Special Audience

The Bellarine Theater Company will offer a free preview performance of “Into the Woods, Jr.” for children or adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other sensitivity issues at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6 at the LBI Foundation of the Arts and Sciences in Loveladies.

The performance is open to those individuals and their friends and family who RSVP by calling or e-mailing the company. Details below.

Jessica Evans, founder and artistic director for Bellarine, said the show will be performed in a friendly, supportive environment.

“We are making slight adjustments to the production including reduction of any jarring sounds or lights focused into the audience,” she said.

Evans said there will also be a “calm room” set up in one of the Foundation’s galleries for those who might get over stimulated during the performance.

“When they see a character they love, some may get a surge of joy or get very excited,” she said.

Evans knows this from experience. Her younger sister, Carlie, has an autism spectrum disorder.

When they took her to see a special needs performance of “The Lion King” on Broadway, Evans said in addition to keeping the house lights up and sound adjustments, there were people at the front to wave glow sticks as a signal to family and friends that a dramatic change was about to take place.

While this is the second time Bellarine has offered a special needs performance, it’ the first time with a cast this young.

The West Creek based company now its fifth year is putting on their first youth-only production with “Into the Woods, Jr.” The cast is composed entirely of 5th-9th graders from throughout South Jersey, said Evans.

“We had so many talented youngsters audition, that we dual cast some of the roles to give more of them a chance to perform,” she said.

Her young cast has prepared for Wednesday’s performance by acclimating themselves to noise and other unexpected challenges in order provide a high quality performance for families that often are unable to attend theater, said Evans.

Sister Carlie also has helped by attending some of the rehearsals, she added.

The original “Into the Woods” is the cooperative effort of Steven Sondheim and James Lapine and weaves together the fairytales of the Brothers Grimm. It features the storylines of “Cinderella,” “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” and the Witch. These characters embark on journeys to make their wishes come true, with many obstacles and hardships keeping them from their goals.

Bellarine is partnering with Piece of the Puzzle at the Southern Regional School District throughout the run. Piece of the Puzzle is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to providing structured learning experiences and employment opportunities to adolescents and adults with ASD.

Ice cream made by students with autism will be on sale at the shows with proceeds going to the Sunshine Foundation to help make dreams come true for physically and mentally ill children.

If you wish to volunteer, sponsor, or attend this special performance, please RSVP by emailing Evans directly at jessica@bellarinetheatre.com or calling 609-661-2083

Regular performances of the show will May 7-9 at 7 p.m. with a matinee on Saturday at 4 p.m.
Tickets are $20 for V.I.P., $18 for adults, $15 for seniors/children and $10 for children. They are available online at http://www.bellarinetheatre.com/shows/or by calling the number above.