More than 30 students from Port Aransas and the Coastal Bend are involved in the next production at the Port Aransas Community Theatre (PACT).

"Into the Woods Junior" will be performed at 7:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, July 19-21 and 26-28. Matinees will be on Sunday, July 22 and 29, at 2:30 p.m. All shows will be at the theater, 2327 State Hwy. 361.

Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for children 14 and under. They may be purchased at the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce-Tourist Bureau, 403 W. Cotter Ave., Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by calling the chamber at 749-5919. Tickets may be purchased at the theater from noon to 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

The play presents a new view of everyone's favorite fairy tale characters in an amusingly different take on the stories of the Brothers Grimm.

The musical follows a baker and his wife who learn the witch next door has cursed them with childlessness. The couple embarks on a quest, swindling, deceiving and stealing from such already-victimized characters such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel and Jack, fresh off the beanstalk, to get the special objects required to break the spell.

However, it doesn't just end "happily ever after" as each character must face the consequences of his or her decisions.

The theater joined others across America, taking the classic concept of "let's put on a show" and reaching new academic heights through a program titled, "The Broadway Junior Collection®," said Tim Mc- Donald, project director of Broadway Junior.

A division of Music Theatre International, Broadway Junior abridges classic Broadway musicals into special editions for ages eight to 14 to perform.

Performers will receive a certificate commending the cast and encouraging them to continue to embrace the arts "happily ever after." Stephen Sondheim who wrote the music and lyrics and James Lapine who wrote the book signed the certificate.

The purpose of Music Theatre International's (MTI) Broadway Junior is to offer the vast majority of students their first experience with one of America's unique art forms, musical theater. Freddie Gershon, chairman of New York-based Music Theatre International, began developing the program in 1995 with the first production opening in 1998, motivated by his belief that musical theatre could be translated to life-enhancing experiences for children.

Teachers, parents, school administrators and friends have witnessed students changed permanently and positively by learning life and behavioral skills, ranging from communication, collaboration and time management to creativity, imagination and confidence, from the experience of participating in a musical theatre production, according to a spokesman for MTI.

Once the dramatic performing rights are acquired for a nominal fee, which includes mandated royalty payments, a "show kit" of materials designed to help guide both cast and crew through a successful production is sent. The kit includes a fully orchestrated CD to accompany the cast, a choreographic video, curriculum guides that tie important themes of the musical into classroom studies and a producer/director guide for teachers on casting, rehearsals and performance techniques and scripts.

For more information on the show, call the theater at 749-6036.