RED VS. THE WOLF Opens at YLT 3/16

The saying goes, "there are two sides to every story," but this important principle is exemplified in YLT's coming Children's Series production, Red vs. the Wolf, written by local playwright and storyteller Judy Wolfman.  In this wildly funny production, the classic tale of "Little Red Riding Hood" gets a fresh twist as audiences hear the story of what happened in the woods from the Big Bad Wolf's perspective.   

"This show has something for all ages," explains Director Andrea Stephenson.  "It's fairly short, and easy to follow, which makes it great for our youngest audience members, but it also makes everyone, even adults, laugh."  Stephenson adds that the show is not only entertaining, but "also has a good message about the value of listening to both sides of a story."

The show production staff includes Ray Olewiler as Set Designer.  "Ray's set is amazing," says Stephenson. "It's not just beautiful-it communicates the idea that this is a fairy tale."  Lisa Gildea, as Costume Designer, is creating costumes that are not literal representations of animals, but suggestive and "animal-like."  Both Olewiler and Gildea are using a variety of elements such as bright colors to generate a non-threatening, not scary atmosphere.  "Our Wolf is a nice, happy-go-lucky kind of guy," explains Stephenson.  "We want our costumes and set to reflect that."

The production features a local cast of 17 including Emily Johnson as Red Riding Hood and Allison Thomas as the Wolf. "It is unique to have the wolf played by a girl," explains Stephenson.  "But when we saw Allison at the auditions it was clear she was the perfect wolf.   The script as written presents an unusual wolf so we felt having an atypical person portraying this wolf really meshed."   The rest of the cast includes Chloe Lanteigne-Marrow (Butterfly, Red understudy), Phil Rooney (Butterfly, Wolf understudy), Autumn Leiphart (Mother), Vail Varone (Grandma), Hetta Saatman (Stage Manager), Rod Saatman (Woodsman), Annabella Ebel (Deer), Danielle Distefano (Deer), Madeline Gangloff (Skunk), Sam Rooney (Skunk), Zach DePorter (rabbit), Allie Hynoski (rabbit), Sophia Caltagirone (rabbit), Michael Futrell (Squirrel),  and Talyn Custer (Duck).

Stephenson has extensive theatre and directorial experience, but this is her first time directing for YLT.  "I was very excited to be directing a show in which I could have the author as a resource," says Stephenson who recently returned to the York area after living in a place which had no community theatre.  "What YLT does is amazing.  Creative people need to have a creative outlet and opportunities to get involved.  Community theatre provides that outlet."

Red vs. the Wolf is sponsored by Northwest Savings Bank, media sponsor flipsidepa.com, and runs March 16, 17, 23 and 14 at 7:00 p.m. and March 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 3:00 p.m.  All seats are $10 and can be purchased at www.ylt.org or 854-5715, from 11 - 5 weekdays.   

York Little Theatre, now enjoying its 79th season of shows, is a nonprofit community theatre which values and nurtures the irreplaceable role of the arts and is dedicated to engaging and enriching its entire, diverse community in the dramatic arts through a broad range of professionally directed, entertaining, stimulating, and sometimes provocative performances. 

York Little Theatre is located at 27 South Belmont Street, York PA, just south of Market Street at the intersection of I83.