The True Story
of the Three Little Pigs
Book and Lyrics by Robert Kauzlaric
Music by Paul Gilvary and William Rush
Directed by Amanda Link
at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood (map)
thru Feb 16 Mar 2 | tickets: $15 | more info
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Now extended through March 2nd!
Porkicide in Piggsylvania! Or was it???
Lifeline KidSeries presents
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs
Review by Kat Hey
Everyone deserves their day in court should they be accused of a heinous crime. What about when the reputation of the accused is so widely known and there are factors weighing against them? Lifeline Theatre presents a delightful musical that answers these questions in language that any little piggy er…I mean child can understand.
David Sajewich brings a sweet and nerdy side out in Alexander T. Wolf a.k.a. Big Bad (but please call him Al.). Sajewich resembles more of a sweet puppy than a vicious lupine. He howls his way through the Wolf Blues, and even moonwalks with grace and ease.
Al (a.k.a. Big Bad) is led out of the pen and into the courtroom of Judge Prudence (Allison Cain) and prosecuting attorney Julia (Amanda Roeder). Cain and Roeder have lines that seem to be custom made for Chicago politics. In other words, the fix is in, and that it’s all about who you know in Piggsylvania – not to mention that the two play golf together at the same club of which Al cannot be a member. When Cain enters they rap ‘here comes the judge,’ which is from the late chitlin’ circuit comic Pigmeat Markham. (I think that I may have been the only one in the house that caught that but one never knows.) Roeder is in fine comic form as the blustery prosecuting attorney who would be called a barracuda, were it not for her porcine genetics. Marissa Lessman rounds out the cast in a quadruple feat of amazement. Lessman plays Rocky the Bailiff, Bobby the doctor and expert witness, Martha the cola bottle glass wearing eye witness, and Maxwell the surviving pig. The best laughs come from Martha, who is right out of a John Waters movie with her outfit and mannerisms. Maxwell is also a great character as a pig with a trade in masonry.
The show is scored quite well, with catchy melodies and fun choreography. The storyline doesn’t talk down to the children nor does it clean up the story where they all escape to the brick house. The ill-prepared pigs become dinner for sure because a wolf has got to do what a wolf does. The story I remember is that the third pig put a boiling kettle at the bottom of the chimney and had wolf stew. That was deemed too gruesome but at least the kids get to know where ham comes from in this rendition
Was it-premeditated porkicide? The fun is having the audience as the jury and they have to oink, squeal, and snort the verdict. I’m not revealing our verdict but I trust that all the little piggies in the audience will see that justice is done for Alexander T. Wolf.
Lifeline does an excellent job of bringing children’s stories to the stage. The set for this production is top notch. It resembles a hyper-real game show set with lights flashing and beautifully painted props. I highly recommend this show for kids and adults as well. The show runs 1 hour and there is a chance to meet the cast after the show for photo-ops and autographs. You’ll have a squealing good time!
Oink Rating: ★★★★
The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs continues through February 16th March 2nd at Lifeline Theatre, 6912 N. Glenwood (map), with performances Saturdays and Sundays at 11am and 1pm. Tickets are $15 (group discounts are available), and are available by phone (773-761-4477) or online through PrintTixUSA.com (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More info at LifelineTheatre.com. (Running time: 1 hour, no intermission. Note: Recommended for kids 5 and up. Children under 2 are not permitted.)
Photos by Suzanne Plunkett
artists
cast
Allison Cain (Prudence), Diana Coates (Magill), Marissa Lessman (Rocky, Bobby, Martha, Maxwell), David Sajewich (Al), Amanda Roeder (Julia), Bailey Heinz, Charlotte Long, Timothy Maples (understudies)
behind the scenes
Amanda Link (director), Alan Donahue (lighting designer), Jennifer Aparicio (stage manager), Benjamin W. Dawson (production manager), Amanda Herrmann (properties design), Anthony Ingram (sound design), Joanna Iwanicka (scenic and puppet design), Emily McConnell (costume design), Laura McKenzie (musical director), Danny Osburn (master electrician), Joe Schermoly (technical director), Suzanne Plunkett (photos)
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