Details 

The (Not-So) Grimm Fairy Tale 

 

The (Not-So) Grimm Fairy Tale

Musical Adaptation by Kevin M Reese]

Available in Musical & Non-Musical Versions

Video Promo Available Soon

A Musical Play with Improv About Violence for Elementary School Age Kids

Detailed Plot:
After an introduction (ONCE UPON A TIME), the Narrator informs us that the story they are about to see may begin with “once upon a time,” but may not end with a “happily ever after,” because it is a show about violence. He informs them that life is about choices and the choices we make determine whether there is a happy ending or not. He then asks them to help the characters find non-violent choices for their situations. After the Narrator introduces us to Little Red Riding Hood, the Three Little Pigs, and the Wolf (VIOLENCE RAP), a modern-day tough guy, Rocky, interrupts from the audience and tells the Narrator that life is rough and violence is the best way to survive. The Narrator challenges him to watch and see how non-violence can bring about a better solution. Little Red Riding Hood enters, being chased by the Wolf. Just as he is about to pounce, the Narrator stops the action and solicits suggestions from the audience for a non-violent solution to the problem (Wolf is hungry). Rocky chides the nonviolent suggestions and gives us his (violent) solution, saying that in real life, you don’t get a do-over (LIFE’S TOO SHORT). Next, the Narrator introduces us to the Three Little Pigs. One by one they meet the Merchant and get their respective building materials and one by one they are confronted by the Wolf. Just as the Wolf is about to be boiled in the third pig’s pot, the Narrator again stops the action and the audience suggest alternate, non-violent solutions to the problem (pig seeking revenge). This is too much for Rocky. He ridicules the whole process and declares that violence is the only thing people understand. The Narrator shows Rocky that violence can result in injury and even death– and they have no do-overs. He takes Rocky through a few scenarios that he comes across every day and shows him the non-violent alternatives he could make. Rocky finally understands and promises to try to make non-violent choices from now on (WORK IT OUT).

Sets:
A generic storybook exterior setting. The original production used two book flats painted with trees, shrubs, fences, and rolling hills.

Original Cast: 5:   3 Men, 2 Women played 5 characters

Theme:
Non-Violence, Negortiation, Responsibility, Lying, Friendship

Running Time:  35 Min.  

Target Audience: Ages 4 - 10, Families.

Characters:  5
Narrator or
Little Red
3 Pigs (Peggy, Parker, Patty)
Wolf
Rocky

Short Description:
Little Red Riding Hood, the Three Little Pigs, the Big Bad Wolf, and a contemporary Bully are brought together to discuss their stories . Rocky, the bully, relates how violence is a “quick fix” to life’s problems. The audience helps show Rocky that violence isn’t a good solution and shouldn’t be the first choice to solve problems.

MUSIC:
1 Once Upon a Time - Narrator
2 Violence Rap - Little Red, Pig, & Wolf
3 Life's Too Short - All
4 You Gotta Work It Out - All

Original Production
The Not-So-Grimm Fairy Tale was first presented by the Wichita Children's Theatre Professional Touring Company. It opened February 27, 1995 and played for nine performances, touring the Wichita Public Schools. It was directed by Kevin Reese and the cast was:

 Narrator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kevin Reese
Little Red . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rachel Mitchell
3 Pigs (Peggy, Parker, Patty) . . . . . Codie Dumas Wolf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wayne Mitchell Rocky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mike McDowell