Who doesn’t love “Little Red Riding Hood”?
Well, the big, bad wolf, for one. (Unless you’re referring to his dinner plans.)
There’s little reason not to like Classika Theatre’s “Little Red Riding Hood,” a simple, straight-forward show that’s not really for you anyway — it’s for your littlest children.
During a recent performance, kids and their parents filled up the small Shirlington theater space to watch a re-creation of one of their favorite fairy tales. The three-person performance uses large-sized puppets and unhidden live actors to set the scene.
Little Red Riding Hood (Hanna Bondarewska) is on a journey through the forest to visit her grandmother (Elizabeth Parsons). Along the way, she encounters several animals, characters newly introduced in the Classika show: a hungry, slow-moving bear (John C. Waldron), who has been stung repeatedly on his nose during his quest for honey; a sly fox (Bondarewska), who has plans to manipulate Red Riding Hood’s journey for his own gain; and the friendly but skittish rabbit (Parsons), who is fraught with worry for Red and is willing to bravely confront anyone who threatens the safety of her friend.
Soon enough, Little Red Riding Hood runs into the evil wolf, played with needed volume and authority by Waldron, whose facial expressions and commitment to his characters are as fun to watch as the puppets themselves. During this show, the wolf was met with only a couple whimpers from the young audience — he’s just scary enough to be a bit menacing, but far from terrifying.
When the wolf eventually eats both Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother, they are never far away. The two keep talking during the ordeal — judging by their unruffled dialogue, they hardly seem a wink concerned — and remain in sight by means of the wolf’s makeshift swinging-door stomach. Shortly thereafter, the Woodsman — more of a constable, really, played in human form by Parsons — saves the day by removing Granny and Red.
With a sparse, rudimentary setting of a black cloth-draped table, a felt forest and puppets that are sufficient if far from elaborate, Classika Theater’s “Little Red Riding Hood” doesn’t pretend to be anything more than a neighborhood show, one-upping anything parents could throw together on their own. But for a small dose of theatrical magic and a way to spend a family afternoon out, it does the trick.
(Note: After the performance, the cast emerged to wish happy birthday to a little girl sitting in the front row. Then, with the young, shy star grasping her autographed poster center stage, the entire audience of smiling parents and children sang her “Happy Birthday.” How’s that for a little theatrical magic?)
IF YOU GO…
Classika Theatre presents “Little Red Riding Hood”
Where: Classika Theatre, 4041 S. 28th St., Arlington
When: 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Feb. 25 (no show Feb. 17); noon Saturday and Sunday, March 3 to May 12
Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 at the door
Info: Call 703-824-6200 or visit www.classika.org
