Alexander’s gotten a bit of a bad rap through the years.
Perhaps it’s his diet — often cute, fuzzy animals — or maybe it’s his imposing appearance, with his razor sharp teeth and scary-looking eyes.
In any event, Alexander P. Wolf is known far and wide — and especially in Pigsylvania — by his nickname, the Big Bad Wolf.
So of course if there’s an incident — say a couple of local houses are mysteriously demolished and their swine owners go missing — the first instinct is to declare him guilty, at least of something.
But, Wolf insists, there’s another side to this story.
Thus marks the setting for the upcoming Iola Community Theatre production of “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs,” which opens its three-day run Friday at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center. Show times are 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
Tickets sell for $15 for adults and $10 for students and are available at the door or online at bowluscenter.org (call 365-4765 for information).
THE STORY picks up in the aftermath of the famed fairy tail.
Two little pigs’ houses — one made of straw; the other of sticks — have been destroyed. The occupants are missing and presumed dead. A third pig, living in a sturdier brick house, has told authorities of a big, bad wolf attempting to gain entry, and resorted to huffing and puffing in an ill-fated attempt to blow it down.
So Alexander’s in jail, awaiting trial.
And with all of the notoriety of the infamous crimes, a spectacular trial is in the offing.
A trough full of young performers — including several newcomers — brings to life the musical comedy, penned by Robert Kauzlaric, Paul Gilvary and William Rush. (Their script is based on the popular children’s book written by Joe Scieszka and Lane Smith.)
In fact, the three major figures — the wolf, his prosecutor and the judge in charge of the trial — all are new to the Iola Community Theatre scene.
Here’s hoping they stick around a spell.
Quentin Mallette, who is known more locally for his prodigious musical talents with the Iola High School music department, dusts off some considerable acting chops as Mr. Wolf.
He knows full well the odds are jack stacked against him in the upcoming trial. Can he explain, after being spotted at both the demolished houses, just what happened to those poor pigs? And why was he wearing an apron through all this, and carrying shiny objects (which obviously are knives, right?)
He sits silently, but not without a few whimsical expressions, as a parade of witnesses line up to testify against him, that swine! And he gets to show off his rich, baritone singing voice when it’s time to make his case.
Likewise, fellow newcomer Rachel Shaffer is a hoot as the Honorable Prudence — Judge Prudy, get it? — the jurist hearing the Big Bad Wolf’s case. She consistently makes life miserable for the accused.
Her court isn’t necessarily concerned about fairness, she acknowledges, only justice.
Perhaps the biggest squeals of laughter will go to the uproarious Isabella Duke, as Julia, the prosecuting attorney. She perfectly hams it up from start to finish, posing leading questions, relying on innuendo to besmirch the defendant and of course breaking into song to make her points.
Can the Big Bad Wolf explain his actions? Is the entire episode, as he claims, nothing but a simple misunderstanding? Or is his alibi nothing but hogwash?
You’ll have to show up at the Bowlus sometime over the next three days to find out. (Added bonus: the audience may, or may not, get to help decide Wolf’s guilt.
SEVERAL supporting characters prove more than capable of making silk purses out of sows’ ears when they grace center stage.
Gaby Lampe will draw laughs, maybe even a snort, as the delectable Lillian Magile, the quasi-narrator and intrepid reporter covering the “trial of the century.” She leads the audience along the pun-filled tale, with an occasional song and dance number to boot.
Stage veterans Sam Terhune and Alison Fees take turns as the boarish star witnesses to the alleged crimes. They, of course, are absolutely certain of what they saw — until they aren’t.
Newcomer Austin Morris, likewise, sparkles in his supporting role as Rocky, the court bailiff.
Filling out the cast is a sounder of piglets. Newcomer Kaeden Vega joins Cole Moyer, Stephanie Fees, and the aforementioned Allison Fees and Terhune as protesters, puppets or backup singers and dancers.
Mandy Moyer, director, and Jake Ard, musical director, help keep the production moving along at a crisp pace.
With its colorful costumes, abundant porky puns and entertaining song-and-dance numbers, “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs” offers up a bellyful of entertainment with razorback wit.
You’d be well advised to hoof it to the Bowlus this weekend for a delightful show.
Snout’s honor.
