Rossmoor residents Jamie and Julia Ostmann and Nick Slimmer are appearing this weekend in Stephen Sondheim’s critically acclaimed fairytale musical “Into the Woods” a Summer Players production on South Coast Repertory’s Julianne Argyros Stage.
Jamie, Julia and Nick are long time students in South Coast Repertory’s Theatre Conservatory. Jamie recently appeared as Charlie in SCR’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” She attends The Pegasus School in Huntington Beach. Nick (Henry Crawford) and Julia (Fanny Price) appeared in Jane Austen’s “Mansfield Park” at SCR in May. Nick begins his senior year at Los Alamitos High School in the fall. Julia will enter Harvard University as a freshman. She is a graduate of the Orange County High School of the Arts Creative Writing Conservatory.
Jamie plays the hen that lays the golden egg.
“It has been a really new experience for me because physicalizing a bird, a character I wouldn’t be in regular life, is difficult,” said Jamie.
Julia plays the mother of Jack in the Beanstalk.
“I’ve been in this program for 10 years, and I’m about to head off to college,” she said. “I’ve found it really fitting to end my time here with a show about growing up and learning to deal with reality and going forward even when things are scary and uncertain. I’m able to connect the show with emotions I’m already experiencing in my life.”
Nick plays the Prince.
“It’s been really great to play the Prince,” he said, “especially with so many great actors by my side. But, I sure will miss my princess entourage.”
Also appearing is Seal Beach’s Allie Mgrublian playing Cinderella’s
stepmother. She will enter Pacific Coast High School as a junior in the fall.
“It’s been a challenge playing the stepmother because she’s the polar
opposite of who I am,” Mgrublian said. “Because she’s so vain, and all about herself,and that’s not necessarily how I am.”
“Into the Woods” is directed by SCR Theatre Conservatory Director Hisa Takakuwa, with musical direction by Erin McNally. Summer Players are students in the SCR’s Kids and Teen Acting Program who have been chosen by audition after at least one year in the Theatre Conservatory.
According to Takakuwa, While most fairytales begin “once upon a time” and end “happily ever after,” that’s not the case with this Tony Award-winning musical. After their dreams seem to come true, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and a bevy of fairytale characters—plus a few new ones created to add to the chaos—return to the woods for a reality check.
The Summer Players journey into this fantastical world where traditional fairytales take on fractured new lives and teach important lessons.
Performance will be held at 1 and 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday
Tickets: $12 (may be purchased through the SCR Box Office at (714) 708-5555 oronline at www.scr.org).
