Por Jeremy Ogul

Leigh Scarritt stars alongside students

Just a few months after a film adaptation of “Into the Woods” debuted to smashing success on movie screens around the world, the young actors of the California Youth Conservatory Theatre bring the Broadway hit musical to Downtown’s Lyceum Theater April 10-18.

The average age of the CYC Theatre cast is 17, with ages ranging from 5 to 20-something, but this isn’t your typical youth theater production, said producer and director Shaun Evans.

“[Audiences] can expect to see every bit as good a production of ‘Into the Woods’ as they would see anywhere, on any stage, in San Diego,” Evans said.

That’s because CYC puts its young participants through a rigorous program of auditions, rehearsals and performances with standards that reflect the experience the actors would have if they were working union professionals, Evans explained.

“The environment is anything but childish,” he said.

Unlike most youth theater companies, CYC Theatre hires professional actors to play top roles in the show and work alongside the student actors. In this presentation of “Into the Woods,” Leigh Scarritt, famous for her prolific work on San Diego stages, stars as the witch. Award-winning pros Tom Andrew and Bryan Stanton also have leading roles.

Scarritt said that just as students learn from watching and working with her, she learns from watching and working with them.

“Most of our learning is in the demonstration of the arts,” Scarritt said. “When someone else presents their art, whether that’s a child or a professional actor, there’s always something to glean from that.”

Evans said his goal is that the audience won’t be able to tell the difference between the professionals and the students.

“The leads and principals who are students, they are damn near every bit as good as these professionals,” he said.

As a result of CYC Theatre’s approach, many students end up going on to have professional careers on stage. Three alumni of the CYC Theatre program over the past 11 years have even made it to Broadway, while another three have appeared on “American Idol.”

“Into the Woods” actually got its start in San Diego, premiering at The Old Globe in 1986 and then moving to Broadway in 1987 for a nearly two-year run. The 2014 film adaptation has grossed more than $204 million worldwide, according to figures posted by the website Box Office Mojo.

Mission Hills resident Alice Rickless, 14, is part of the ensemble in this production, her first with CYC Theatre. Though she has experience on stage in school plays, her experience so far with CYC Theatre has been an “eye-opener,” she said.

“Because I’ve never really done a show before — like a big show — I got myself out there, and I realized that I could do so many more things than I thought I could do,” Rickless said.

The rehearsal schedule is demanding: three to five hours a day, up to four days a week for two and a half months. That kind of commitment leaves time for little else, but Rickless is not complaining.

“It’s worth it to be a little stressed out, because what you get out of it is so much more than what you lose,” she said.

Alana Austin, a 15-year-old Coronado resident who plays Sleeping Beauty in this production, said the long hours are a valuable use of time.

“They’re doing this so that you can become better and grow as a person,” Austin said. “It’s not just a waste of time. You’re getting your money’s worth.”

Nick Lux, 15, who plays Jack, said he has been acting since 10 years old and knew from the beginning that he wanted to pursue a career in the field. “Into the Woods” is his second show with CYC.

What makes CYC special, he said, is the director’s high expectations combined with his coaching ability, which really helps bring the characters out of the actors.

“With other theater companies it’s just what you already have to bring to the table,” Lux said. “With CYC they can help you build and grow.”

Tickets range from $22 to $28 for adults. Visit cyctheatre.com for tickets, showtimes and more information.

—Jeremy Ogul can be reached at [email protected].