The Life and Times of the Three Little Pigs: Review
Thought you knew the story of the Three Little Pigs? Well, think again! Everyone’s favorite fairy tale takes a few twists and turns in Theatre for Young America’s current live show, The Life and Times of the Three Little Pigs. This prehistoric adaptation gives tropical island vibes that will have your crew feeling like they just landed on a sunny shore far away.
The stage is set when the Peddler (conveniently, also the narrator) introduces us through a catchy luau tune to the time, place and cast of three silly swine siblings and their furry arch nemesis the Big Bad Wolf. Firstborn Big has a tall order keeping her mischievous and argumentative little sibs Tweeny and Wee in line. Thankfully, she remembered the wise words of her precious porcine parent, Mama Sow, who has sent them all off to make their way in the world. Through struggle (and the occasional round of leap frog) the piglet trio find that they have what it takes to hit it big as a sensational singing group at Porky’s Palace on Swinetown Strip. But it’s not all happily ever after just yet!
Now that they’re bringing in the bacon, Big, Tweeny, and Wee decide to put down roots of three different varieties: bricks, sticks, and straw. Their foundations will be tested when none other than the Big Bad Wolf decides it would be a great day for a ham dinner. Silly antics and slapstick comedy will have every guest rooting for the pig siblings’ success and the Big Bad Wolf’s failure. Will they make it out alive?
Most adaptation leave it with all three pigs successfully in a houseful of bricks but this one takes a turn! After Tweeny and Wee take their leave, Big has extended adventures with the Big Bad Wolf that lead out into a garden and apple orchard. The Big Bad Wolf’s persistence (and wind capacity) can’t hold a candle to Big’s clever and cunning ways. Many moons later, when she has the pleasure of becoming a Mama Sow to her own two lil’ ones, Big shares the now-infamous story of how a crazed canine was no match for her smart wits and brick abode!
Theatre for Young America has been making quality children’s theater accessible for over fifty years. As a tip of the hat to their half-century heritage, they’re breaking out four classics from their own vault, one of which is none other than The Life & Times of the Three Little Pigs. This silly tale has delighted audiences of old and now has opportunity to touch the hearts of the youngest guests today. TYA theater is a great introduction to live shows for the younger crew. Guests are encouraged to laugh and clap along with the fun and get to sit back in comfort in City Stage’s plush leather seats. Immediately following the hour-long show, the cast and crew make themselves available to answer any inquiries from audience members about the show, costumes, and set design. The Life & Times of the Three Little Pigs will be playing until March 23.
Purchase tickets at TYA.org.
