The “Little Red Riding Hood” sequence of the double billing of “Riding Hood” and “The Three Little Pigs.” Photo courtesy of The Puppet Co.
“With one bound, the wolf was out of bed and swallowed up” Little Red Riding Hood; and so “the wolf had appeased his appetite.” Thus wrote the Brothers Grimm in their famous “grim” fairy tale. Yet we meet a very different, more likable wolf in the summer version of the classic tale at The Puppet Co. at Glen Echo Park. In this troupe’s special blend of “Little Red Riding Hood” with “The Three Little Pigs,” the wolf—who is presented as one and the same wolf in both tales—is more interested in singing and dancing than swallowing up the innocent; speaking out against toxic waste in the forest; and proves himself a critic of “male chauvinist pigs.”
…wonderfully keep the original production’s synthesis of classical elements of the tale and more modern references.
In recent years, the venerable Puppet Co. finds itself under new management. In this production, it merrily follows a script and utilizes the puppets of Christopher Piper, long-time puppeteer at Glen Echo. It was first performed there 1990, so it is possible that some of today’s parents are taking their children to see the show where they were the original audience as children. Directors Liz Dapo and Danny Pushkin, as well as performers Mollie Greenberg and Brigid Wallace, wonderfully keep the original production’s synthesis of classical elements of the tale and more modern references.
Despite humorous takes on both “Little Red Riding Hood” and “The Three Little Pigs,” the eternal values of fairy tales as didactic, moral pieces for children remain. In “The Three Little Pigs,” the hard work of the pig who builds a house out of stone is praised over the two pigs who take short-cuts by building their houses out of straw and sticks in order that they may have more time to play—and eat pizza. Likewise, “Little Red Riding Hood” retains the admonition to be wary of one’s surroundings and, of course, listen to adults.
Yet untraditionally for both tales, it is the wolf who steals the show as the puppet who sings and dances, adopting a style somewhere between Peggy Lee’s “Fever” and the rap mode in his song “I’m Wolfin’!” This song, incidentally, includes clever narration in rhyme which furthers the plot of the production in a smart way, testifying to the wit of the script.
Parents can appreciate the program as well, as there is humor intended for adults. Also, a fine feature of this and other Glen Echo puppet shows is how high-level words are introduced and repeated in context in order to expand children’s vocabulary: “We are not afraid of any predators,” says one little pig. “We are not afraid of wolves, either!” responds another.
“It’s the middle of summer. It’s not going to get cold for a while,” says one of the little pigs. While this fun story, harmonizing “The Three Little Pigs” and “Little Red Riding Hood,” has ended, another mid-summer production to look out for is The Puppet Co.’s “Cinderella,” yet another show which will be performed from the repertoire of the Glen Echo Puppet Co.’s founders.
Running time: One hour with no intermission.
“The Three Little Pigs” and “Little Red Riding Hood” ran through July 10, 2022 at The Puppet Co. Playhouse at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd. Glen Echo, MD 20812. For more information on future productions, please visit online.
