Thompson Falls thespians entertain with Red Riding Hood

THOMPSON FALLS- Around 200 residents of Thompson Falls came out to support the performance of “Red Riding Hood” put on by children ranging in age from six years to 17 years of age. Organized by the Missoula Children’s Theatre, the play featured about 60 kids from Thompson Falls schools, directed by MCT members Allie Kauling and Steven Thomas and accompanied by Rebecca Haag. Assistant directors Asher Evans, Whitney Micklon and Zack Bloom helped coordinate behind the scenes activity.

Led by Red Riding Hood, played by Emily Snell, and the Hood family, the play followed the adventures of a diverse range of fairy tale characters as they aided and sometimes prevented Red from arriving at grandmas’ house. Attempting to steer the wayward Red on the right path with songs like “Stay on the Trail,” an assortment of personalities helped Red and the Hood family navigate the treacherous forest.

The Big Bad Wolf, in between attempts to convince the audience that he was not that bad after all, led the eccentric characters through the maze of forest. Ranger Rooney, played by Blazz Wood, provided comic relief while the woodsman, played by Levi Brubaker, provided distraction for Red and her girlfriends played by Abbie Jones, Emma Pavlik and Maggie Riddell.

Losing their way and their basket, the straying group was joined by the three little pigs, played by Julia Burky, Faith Frields and Gabriella Pallister. The pigs provided little in the way of aid while the little loveable wolf, played by Kyle Hermann, provided the audience with laughs, leading the wolfgang along the trail.

As Red lost track of her girlfriends as well as the trail for a second time, the hood family, played by Kahli Miller, Grant Lundberg, Elli Pardee and Riley Riffle performed an encore of “Stay on the Trail.” Red got the point and continued on to grandmas’ house. As the boy who cries wolf, played by Brendan Nelson, provided periodic, comedic interlude; the production found grandma, played by Anna Snell, unfortunately locked in her closet until the frazzled locksmith played by Jamison Strang came to the rescue.

After all the exploits depicted by newborn thespians portraying forest shadows, raccoons and a wolfgang, the cast of “Red Riding Hood” accomplished the monumental task of pulling off an hour long play, complete with choreographed song and dance numbers with one dress rehearsal and only five days to prepare.

For 40 years, the MCT has fostered an appreciation of theater with 65,000 children, touring all 50 states and 17 different countries. Members travel in teams, working with children of all ages to put on shows like the one enjoyed by Thompson Falls residents on Saturday.