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Chewing the Scenery: Junior Players sinking their teeth into 1950s-inspired ‘Red Riding Hood’ adaptation

Junior Players sinking their teeth into 1950s-inspired \\\'Red Riding Hood\\\' adaptation

By Staff Reports 5 min read

MARIETTA – A 1950s-inspired reimagining of a classic fairy tale hits the stage of the Mid-Ohio Valley Player's Friday with the Junior Players production of "Doo-Wop Wed Widing Hood."

Three young princes, Wise Prince Jason, Strong Prince Justin and Loud Prince Frank have decided that they want to marry Red Riding Hood. Their parents, the King and Queen, hire Fairy Godmother to help decide the lucky groom. Fairy Godmother sets the brothers with three tasks. Little Red Riding Hood's parents are not so fond of this plan. The Hoods decide to hire an Evil Queen to thwart this contest. This 1950s sock-hop musical is sure to have audiences rooting for a happily-ever-laughter.

"Doo-Wop Wed Widing Hood” opens 7 p.m. Friday and runs 7 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $13 and are available at midohiovalleyplayers.com.

Any tickets not sold ahead of time will be sold at the box office two hours before each show, but online is strongly encouraged to guarantee a ticket.

This year the Junior Show is led by Kay Doak.

Doak said she and her team "want to thank all the families for bringing their children to rehearsals, sometimes very long distances, and also for helping with costumes, going over lines, etc. This is a big commitment taking a lot of time from both actors and families and we really appreciate it."

Being a 1950s version of Red Riding Hood, complete with poodle skirts and hula hoops, Doak said it will be a fun experience for both cast and audience.

"There are some wonderful musical numbers, and we even learn where perhaps Elvis got his inspiration," she said.

Gabby Schall, who plays Red Riding Hood, has been participating in area theater since 2022, starting with a performance in the Mid-Ohio Valley Players' "Dr. Evil and a Basket of Kittens." Schall is excited to bring Red Riding Hood to life.

"I think she's the kind of character who would be very kind. She gives a random wolf her map. And she's like 'Maybe I should not have done that,'” Schall said. "She's very carefree. I wish I could be like that a little bit."

She also is excited to show people the new skills she has developed.

"I have gotten to expand my vocal range a lot, which made me really happy," Schall said.

This year marks Leon Elliott's final year with the Junior Players. He plays Strong Prince Justin.

"It is important to really enjoy the process, and not just focus on the people or focusing on the outcome," he said. "If you are not having fun, people will see that in your performance. If you have fun throughout all of it, your performance will be better than if you didn't have fun. If you are having fun, you will have a good production."

While his character may be egotistical, Elliott said it's a goofy play.

"It's not going to be a long play at all. It's a fun thing to go watch," he said. "There is a crazy story that is pretty funny and there is music. It is a musical comedy."

Lena Smith, returns to the Players' stage as the Fairy Godmother.

"I really love her character," Smith said. "She's not like a regular fairy godmother.

Fairy Godmother in this play wants to retire, Smith said.

"She has to put on a different face when she is with the King and Queen. And she's kind of, a little bit sassy. Her patience is taut," Smith said. "She is friends with the Evil Queen, but she can't tell anyone. That's one of the fun things about the play."

"Doo-Wop Wed Widing Hood" was written by Charlie Lovett, with music and lyrics by Bill Francoeur. It is produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service of Englewood, Col.

The show is sponsored by The Original Pizza Place.

The players are Aayla Elliott as Baby Bear and Coach Biff, Abby Wyatt as Tammy Tortoise, Abi Scott as Narrator 1, Aiyanna Goodnight as Belle and Bus Driver 2, Alexandra Mackey as Medium Purple Riding Hood, Allie Tamm as Mr. Hood, Annabelle Harris as Pappa Bear and Hazel, Avalyn Meckley as Beatrix the Blue Bird, Ayla Martin as Momma Bear, Baylee Cline as Chloe, Ben Kiger as Gerald and Groucho Marx, Beretta Spurrier as Sophie, Caleb Maleke as Harold, Caroline Meeks as Louise the UPS Gal, Collin McPherson as the Disney Announcer, Guard, Bus Driver 1, DaVinci and $64,000 Question Announcer, Coulson Elliott as Loud Prince Frank and Andy Williams, Evelyn Martin as Chip and Clarinda, Gabby Schall as Little Red Riding Hood, Gunnar Brookover as Oswald, Henry Nicely as Wise Prince Jason, Hudson Hinkle as Lewie, UPS Trainee and My 3 Sons, Isabelle Harris as Mrs. Hood, Jaiden George as Flower the Skunk, Kanan Elliott as Boy Cried Wolf, Dale, Howdy Doody and Alka Seltzer Ad, Kiley Holland as Grandmother, Layne Rem as Goldilocks, Lena Smith as Fairy Godmother, Leon Elliott as Strong Prince Justin, Lilly Wallace as Scourch, Magnolia Spurrier as Madeline, Mia Stollar as Bonnie the Big Bad Butterfly Boss and Reporter; Mia Williams as Cinderella, Leave it to Beaver Mom, Michael Lochard as King, Natalie Welsh as Helena Hare, Olivia Owens as Daisy the Deer, Raianne Farrar as Big Green Riding Hood, Razzlyn Sidwell as Sleeping Beauty, Regan Walker as Spike; Rosie Smith as Glitter, Roslyn Welsh as Rapunzel, Ryleigh Kosterline as Evil Queen, Sage Christensen as Queen, Savannah Smith as Narrator 2, Sofia Prieto Oscoy as Glimmer, Vera Lochard as Emma and Zach Lantz as Big Bad Wolf.

Junior Players in Tech are Lily Trippett as the prop master and Jaiden George as the sound assistant.

Starting at /week.