Freshened-up fairy tales

The Three Little Pigs, Three Billy Goats Gruff andGoldilocks and the Three Bears: We know the stories so well we canrecite them by heart. But what if these beloved fairy tales took adifferent turn? That’s a question Riverwalk Theatre explores in itsholiday children’s show, “The Surprising Story of the Three LittlePigs.” 

The play is about three trios of disgruntled fairytalecharacters who’ve grown tired of their stories. The pigs decide theydon’t want to be chased by a wolf, the goats are fed up with the trollunder the bridge and Papa Bear decides he is sick of Goldilocksbreaking and entering into their peaceful cottage. What follows is ahumorous look at what happens when fairytale characters unite and tryto change their fates. 

“It’s an interesting message that we don’t have to livelife as the narrator tells us we have to,” said Tom Ferris, the play’sdirector. “We can strike out on our own and find our ownpossibilities.” He was drawn to the script because he believes it isboth fun and instructional for all ages. 

The theater hosted a free sneak preview featuring fourscenes from the show after the Silver Bells parade to kick off theirholiday season.

Ferris has been directing for Riverwalk for years, datingback to the time performances took place in the Okemos Barn. As aformer teacher, it is very enjoyable to direct productions like “Pigs”which feature young actors, he said.

The play marks a slight change in the theater’s annualholiday show. Riverwalk usually chooses a musical for the season, butthe script Ferris submitted, which was written by Linda Daugherty, wasjust too good to pass up, said Riverwalk manager Michael Siracuse. Italso helped that the play will be directed by Ferris — whom Siracusecalls one of the theater’s best directors — and that is fits in withthe season’s traditional kid-friendly theme, he added. 

“We want to keep the kids involved: That’s our future actors out there,” Siracuse said.

He said in addition to theater regulars, many people whoonce brought their children to the shows are now bringing theirgrandchildren, so Riverwalk has no intention of messing with theholiday tradition. 

’The Surprising Story of the Three Little Pigs’

Through Dec. 4

Riverwalk Theatre, 228 Museum Dr., Lansing

7 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 4:30 p.m. Satrudays; 2 p.m. Sundays

$7 adults, $5 under 16

(517) 482-5700

www.riverwalktheatre.com