From left in clockwise order: Karen Vincent (Turtle), Wendell Jordan (Frog), Jimmy
Mavrikes (Tejean), Sakile Lyles (as Crayfish), Greg Twomey (Claude), and Brittany Williams (Petite Rouge). Photo by Bruce Douglas.
Petite Rouge, A Cajun Red Riding Hood at Adventure Theatre MTC takes us on an exciting trip down the swampy bayou in Louisiana. A little white duck in a bright red cape named Rouge (red in French) and a cat named Tejean set out to bring Rouge’s sick Grandma a get-well basket filled with spicy gumbo and rich cornbread. Along the way, the Rouge and Claude meet some colorful friends plus a few large-toothed and long-tailed characters that want more from Rouge and Claude than their gumbo.
The songs and dancing are sure to entertain…
Petite Rouge is a Zydeco musical retelling of the classic fairy tale, Little Red Riding Hood. This Little Red is based on the book by Mike Artell (with illustrations by Jim Harris), with theatrical book, music and lyrics by Joan Cushing and directed and choreographed by Michael J. Bobbitt.
Brittany Williams plays Petite Rouge as a wide-eyed young duck who is bored with her life on the bayou but whose face shines when she talks and sings about wanting adventure in her life. Jimmy Mavrikes, as Tejean the cat, on the other hand, explains he is happy with his quiet and safe life, in perfect Cajun English.
With a great alligator costume head and moves and voice to fill the stage, Greg Twomey portrays Claude, the double-dealing alligator. Wendell Jordan as Frog is a joy to watch, with his long-legged movements, and to listen to, with his deep singing voice. Karen Vincent as the Turtle has a beautiful voice easily heard over the sounds and music of the bayou. Sakile Lyles as the Crayfish has a happy personality, and her singing voice lights up the stage.
Rouge’s journey is loaded with twists and turns down the bayou, and every step leads to new adventure and new friends. The song, “Riverboat Waltz,” which is filled with great dancing, highlights their short trip on a riverboat. The riverboat itself is imaginatively represented by roll-on colorful steamboat pipes made from stacked paint cans by set designer Court Watson and props designer Dre Moore.
The riverboat brings Petite Rouge and company to New Orleans in the middle of Mardi Gras, and large masks dance around on stage during the catchy song “Bourbon Street.” The songs and dancing are sure to entertain, but Rouge also stresses the importance of listening to your instincts and your parents!
Running Time: 60 minutes with no intermission.
Petite Rouge, A Cajun Red Riding Hood is running through March 8, 2015 at Adventure Stage MTC, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Glen Echo, MD 20812. For tickets, click here.
