Elizabeth Ripley has lately started referring to herself as “the Energizer Bunny.”
The theater artist, who is widely regarded as one of Vashon’s most talented singers, is currently directing three different shows, including a Halloween radio theater production and an upcoming Christmas show. But the production closest to her heart, and the one demanding most of her time these days, is “Into the Woods, Jr.” the premiere production of Drama Dock’s new Youth Theatre Project.
The show, which boasts the talents of 25 Island youth ages 11 to 17, will open this weekend at Vashon High School. It’s an abbreviated version of the beloved musical by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, which took Broadway by storm in 1987 and went on to win several Tony Awards.
The show is a playful mash-up of several different fairy tales, including “Jack and the Beanstalk,” “Rapunzel,” “Cinderella” and “Little Red Riding Hood.” But at the same time, “Into the Woods, Jr.” is also a full-scale production, with a large and colorful set, a multitude of costumes and a complex and sophisticated musical score.
All that seems to suit Ripley just fine.
“If you don’t tell them it’s difficult, they can do it,” Ripley said on a recent morning, as she eased into a day that would include teaching several hours of voice lessons followed by a long rehearsal for “Into the Woods, Jr.”
But in the next breath, Ripley said one of the principal goals of the new Youth Theatre Project is to impart a sense of discipline in young people.
“There is a lack of understanding about what it takes to do this,” she added. “If you want to be good at it, you have to train week after week. It’s not fly by night.”
Another goal of Drama Dock’s outreach to youth, Ripley explained, is to involve kids in every aspect of mounting a show. Toward that end, cast members of “Into the Woods, Jr.” have also helped build the show’s set, construct costumes and even bake dozens of gingerbread cookies that are used as props in the musical.
“The children are responsible,” she said. “This is their production.”
Ripley said she selected the musical to launch the Youth Theater Project because of the message expressed in one of its most well-known songs, “Children Will Listen.”
“It’s a great choice for Halloween, and it has that message to the kids and the community: Children will listen,” Ripley said. “What we say means something. We must never take for granted the impact of what we say and do.”
“Into the Woods, Jr.” is the first in a series of theater experiences that Drama Dock plans to offer young Islanders in the coming months.
The next Youth Theatre Project production — a presentation of two one-act plays in January — will come close on the heels of “Into the Woods, Jr.”
Ripley will also direct those two plays, and she promised that Drama Dock’s commitment to Island youth will continue to grow.
“We’re going to tell them when it’s not good, and we’re going to listen when they have good ideas,” the tireless director said. “This is about having a learning experience. Theater is a life lesson.”
“Into the Woods, Jr.” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 30 and 31, at the Vashon High School Theater. Tickets, $15 for adults and $10 for students, are on sale at Books by the Way, Vashon Bookshop and at the door.