LIttle Red Riding Hood, A Panto

Alex Weston of Shelton to play referee in the Grand Finale Boxing Match

in the Town Players of New Canaan’s Family Holiday Show

Little Red Riding Hood, A Panto

A Light Hearted, Fun Filled Spoof on the familiar fairy tale

on Fri., Dec. 9 & 16 at 8 PM and Sat. & Sun., Dec 10, 11, 17 & 18 at 2:30PM

at the Powerhouse Theatre, Waveny Park, 677 South Avenue, New Canaan

      “A spell on me.  Oh, drat! Oh blast!  In Nursery Land a wolf in verse is clearly bad, or even worse.  But for the moment I must hide the evil schemes I have inside.”  So spouts the Big Bad Wolf in the Town Players of New Canaan’s Family Holiday Show, Tina and Robert Burbidge’s Little Red Riding Hood, A Panto, a light hearted, fun filled spoof with a happy ending, music, dancing, and colorful, sometimes ridiculous, costumes. The two act play lasts an hour-and-a-half including intermission and is recommended for all ages, beginning at five years old. Director Patrick Kiley and musical director Ken Knox are at the helm of the Town Players’ 15^th Christmas pantomime.   Known more commonly as a panto, the show is a blend of fairy tale, farce, melodrama, musical theatre, slapstick, vaudeville, Benny Hill, Monty Python, and Looney Tunes. Filled with singing, dancing, audience participation, and topical jokes, young children enjoy pantos at face value, while teen agers and adults pick up the double entendre and clever innuendo.

      Alex Weston of Shelton will appear as a Villager, as well as the referee/announcer in the grand finale boxing match between Billy and the Big Bad Wolf.  Mr. Weston has been acting since 2005 and has appeared in various plays around Fairfield County, most recently in To Kill a Mockingbird, and having the pleasure of hosting America the Beautiful a modern burlesque show.  He is studying early childhood and theater at Norwalk Community College in hopes of becoming a drama teacher

       Performances will take place on Friday, December 9 & 16 at 8PM and Saturday & Sunday, December 10, 11, 17 and 18 at 2:30PM at the Powerhouse Theatre, Waveny Park, 677 South Avenue, New Canaan.  The Town Players and the U.S. Marine Corp continue a 29-year tradition and will collect gifts for children age six months thru twelve years old at the Saturday, Dec. 10th Toys For Tots® matinee. The price of admission for children at this performance only is one unwrapped toy.  Before the show, after depositing his or her present in the Town Players’ Merry Wives of Windsor wicker basket, each child shakes hands with a U.S. Marine, who makes a cameo performance at the beginning of the play. Tickets otherwise are $10 for everyone for all performances.  To reserve seats, please call (203) 966-7371.