THEATRE + COMEDY

Stages continues its 2011-2012 season with the world premiere of another Stages’ Panto Production, Panto Red Riding Hood, playing November 16-- December 31, 2011 in Stages’ Yeager Theater. The holiday production features a large ensemble cast of 17 actors who jump into 31 different roles. Written by Genevieve Allenbury. Music arranged by Steven Jones.

Stages takes a novel spin on the classic tale, Little Red Riding Hood, and creates a musical-comedy set in none other than Houston, Texas in the year of 1978. The story follows L’il Red from the Ridin’ Hood and her adventures as she tries to save her grandma from the big bad Wolf Corporation-- who is trying to steal her cottage, tear it down, and transform it into a disco. Hopefully L’il Red will be able to save the day with some help from a few friends like L’il Boy Blue, Chester Charge, and Hansel and Gretel. The music featured will include parody adaptions of 70’s dance hits such as “I Will Survive,” “You’re So Vain,” and “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.”

Stages patrons--new and old--will enjoy the uses of improvisation, local humor, audience participation, and music parodies. “The Pantos are so much fun artistically for all of us because they really free us up and tap into the childlike spirit of the staff,” remarks Producing Artistic Director, Kenn McLaughlin, who puts on his directing cap again this season. Panto veteran and London resident, Genevieve Allenbury, pens the Panto script. “[Gen] is such a smart theatre artist and she sees what works and doesn't and knows just what to do,” McLaughlin reflects. “The only guideline I gave Genevieve - I told her I wanted was disco - in fact I gave her one song, that’s all it took and she was off and running.” McLaughlin and Allenbury have spent much of the year meeting both in Houston and London to collaborate on this production.“As director and writer we have been in amazing sync throughout.”

Panto Red Riding Hood will be making its world premiere this November, making it the fourth Panto production put on by Stages Repertory Theatre. In the previous years, Stages has produced Panto Cinderella, Panto Sleeping Beauty, and Panto Pinocchio. Panto Sleeping Beauty was written by Stages’ own Kenn McLaughlin while Panto Pinocchio was created by well established playwright, Eric Coble. The tradition of pantomime productions originates from the United Kingdom all the way back to the middle ages. Pantos have found much popularity in countries such as Canada, Australia, and South Africa. These productions are usually based off of popular children’s fairy tales and folk legends. Although not holiday themed, Pantos are traditionally done in the Christmas season.

Stages continues to build a new holiday tradition with this wild spin on a childhood classic! It’s 1978 and the Wolf Corporation is trying to oust Grandma from her beloved cottage in the woods so they can build a disco. But plucky little Red and her stumbling boyfriend Little Boy Blue are out to make sure that Grandma stays put. Featuring a soundtrack from the 70’s guaranteed to make you dance! Come ready to laugh, cheer and boo along with a zany cast of fairy tale favorites, and enjoy local humor, improvisation, original music, audience participation, and spectacular fun for grownups and kids alike!

DIRECTOR: Kenn McLaughlin
(Producing Artistic Director; Panto Pinocchio, Panto Sleeping Beauty, Panto Cinderella)

STARRING:
Genevieve Allenbury
Taylor Ammons
Jordan Bigler
H.R. Bradford
John Ryan Dabosque
Justin Doran*
Sean Everiss
Nina Garcia
Mark Ivy
Michael Keeney
Beth Lazarou
Garrett Reeves
C. Bennett Schmidt
Danielle Turner
Robin Van Zandt
David Wald*
Teresa Zimmermann
*Member of Actor’s Equity Association

PRODUCTION:
Musical Direction Steven Jones
Choreography Jane Weiner
Assistant Choreography Courtney Jones
Set & Properties Design Jodi Bobrovsky
Sound Design Andrew Harper
Costume Design Tiffani Fuller
Lighting Design Philip Alfaro
Stage Manager Julie Marie Pare' *