Big Trouble for the Big Bad Wolf

The three little pigs sue the Big Bad Wolf, shown right, as the Theatre Bristol's play begins. Then commences the introductions of the jurors, a colorful cadre of fairy tale characters including Jack and Jill, Little Bo Peep, Humpty Dumpty, Cinderella, Tom Tom the Piper’s Son, Little Jack Spratt and naturally, Little Red Riding Hood.

By: TOM NETHERLAND | SPECIAL TO THE HERALD COURIER | TriCities.com
Published: September 10, 2009

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Remember the Big Bad Wolf?
Well, he’s gone and done it. Big trouble.
The Three Little Pigs bring suit against their fanged foe in “The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf” for huffing, puffing and blowing down their houses.
Scheduled for two public performances at Theatre Bristol’s ARTspace in Bristol, Tenn., on Sept. 12, the hour-long comedy features a host of fairy tale characters and a twist at the end.
Peggy Russell directs.
“It’s hilarious,” Russell, a middle school social studies and drama teacher at St. Anne’s Catholic School, said on Tuesday evening moments before a full dress rehearsal.
“We’ve watched it again and again, and we’ve laughed and laughed,” she said.
Chris McVey, one of Theatre Bristol’s jack-of-many-trades (singer, actor, director, publicist, sales director, lights technician, etc.), paused while en route to rehearsals for “Scrooge” to comment on the play.
“I look at it about like a Warner Bros. cartoon,” McVey said. “The kids will get it, and the adults will get it, too.”
The three little pigs sue the Big Bad Wolf as the play begins.
Then commences the introductions of the jurors, a colorful cadre of fairy tale characters including Jack and Jill, Little Bo Peep, Humpty Dumpty, Cinderella, Tom Tom the Piper’s Son, Little Jack Spratt and naturally, Little Red Riding Hood.
Sean Grande, 9, a fourth grade student at St. Anne’s Catholic School, plays Little Jack Sprat.
“The wolf is evil and funny,” Grande said. “He tries to act nice, but everybody knows he is evil and funny.”
Therein lies part of the charm of “The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf.” Portrayed by the pigs as a conniving, carnivorous creature that wishes great harm upon the pigs, the Big Bad Wolf does not agree.
When the Big Bad Wolf testifies, he portrays himself as “neighborly” and thoughtful. Actor Hunter Johnson enthusiastically plays the wolf in one of the funniest roles within a thoroughly funny play.
“The moment he walked in to audition, he had it,” Russell said. “Hunter really nails it.”
Johnson isn’t alone in that distinction. Culled from a substantial pool of actors who auditioned for the play, the resulting cast performed on Tuesday firmly prepared for opening night.
“I’ve been doing shows here for a long time, and this is one of the most dedicated casts I’ve seen,” Russell said. “They learned their lines quickly.”
Some of the funniest lines fall upon Judge Wise O. Al, wonderfully played by Bill Locke.
“I like [the play] because it’s just fun,” Locke, 73, said. “It keeps me young.”
As with most fairy tales, a spate of lessons gathered pool by play’s end. No giving them all away here, but they are significant benchmarks for lives well lead. That the play arrives at them amid a river of laughs speaks highly of those involved.
“I like the message that we need to treat each other better,” Locke said, “that we need to listen and be more kind.”

IF YOU GO
What: “The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf”
When: Sept. 12, 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Where: Theatre Bristol ARTspace, 512 State St., Bristol, Tenn.
Admission: $5-$8
Info: (423) 968-4977
Web: www.theatrebristol.org

TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at features@bristolnews.com.