REVIEW: NWCT's "Riding Hood" is a Gas, but Sometimes Drags

This is Little Red "Riding Hood" like you have NEVER seen her before. She's empowered. She's sassy. And she's hitting on all eight cylinders. Les Zawada, as Ruby "Little Red" Miller, is a gas!

In this telling "Red" has her dreams and she won't be shut down or pigeon-holed. She wants to fix and race cars. Yes, this Little Red isn't the old fairy tale you may know and love, it's set in 1958 and women are discovering they have a place other than in the kitchen.

While this Northwest Children's Theater production didn't quite seem up to the usual snuff, it's good none-the-less. Set to a 50s rock-n-roll score the musical is rollicking fun and well performed.

The Well-Oiled Cast

Les Zawada as Ruby "Little Red" Miller truly jump starts the show.

The cast is good overall with a few really strong performances standing out. Despite the puttering material the show managed to punch the gas--mostly. The direction, by Sarah Jane Hardy, is super-charged.

Zawada is a fuel-injected dynamo; never failing to entertain. Spunky and full of adolescent expression. Jenny Bunce, playing both Granny and Miss Mary Kay (the high school home ec teacher), belted out her two numbers and was genuinely entertaining on all counts.

I felt that Dane Shroy, as The Wolf, performed well, but should have had more charisma and grease. Lindsey Koehler whom I've seen in both "Zombie in Love" and "Anne Get Your Gun," was a standout among the chorus. She is a strong performer overall and a joy to watch. Kevin-Michael Moore, whom I last saw as Smee in NWCT's "Peter Pan," was also quite good as the auto shop teacher. And Thom Hilton, as the beatnik, was, like, groovy, man.

In the Shop

The songs were okay [I spent seven years performing in greaser band], but the show wasn't Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber by any means. The script, by Melody Bridges, and lyrics, by composer Bob Hardy and Bridges (with arrangement and composition by Adam Brock) lacked octane. While amusing at times (especially the narrator's parts), it wasn't hysterical or particularly witty. It did have a good message that anyone, regardless of gender, could be anything they want to be, but sometimes you do have to fight for it.

Jenny Bunce, Les Zawada and Dane Shroy in NWCT's "Riding Hood"

The set, by Kristeen Willis Crosser, was fine, but I've mostly seen even better from NWCT. The show moved quickly with all but two scenes that dragged.

Set changes were well done and the lighting, also by Crosser, top notch. Costumes, by Mary Rochon, were, well, rockin'. The dance numbers, nicely choreographed by Elizabeth Gibbs were simple but well styled.

The show, which opened April 26, runs now through May 26. Remaining performances at the Northwest Children's Theater, 1819 NW Everett Street, Portland, Ore., are at noon and 4 p.m. May 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25; 7 p.m. May 9, 16, 23; and 2 p.m. Mon, May 26. Tickets are: Adults $18-22, Youth $13-18. Recommended for 4 and up.

By Gregory E. Zschomler
Photos provided.

For another perspective by Dennis Sparks click here.

OPENING SOON at a High School Near You

It's that time of year again: The last production of the school year and many local high schools are mounting their latest offerings. Check out our list below.

• Prairie presents "The Adventures of Robin Hood" a comedy retelling of the classic tale. 7 p.m., May 1-3 and 8-10 at the school's theater. Doors open at 6:30 with the students hosting a Medieval Fair before showtime. Tickets: $10 general, $7 seniors, $5 students. www.prairiehighschool.org, 360-885-5000. Watch for our review of opening night.
• Battle Ground presents "Grease" the musical. 7 p.m., May 8-10 and 15-17 in the school's multipurpose room. Tickets: $12 general, $7 for students and seniors. bghs.battlegroundps.org, 360-885-6500. Watch for our opening night review.
• Evergreen presents "Urinetown: The Musical." 7 p.m., May 1-3, 9 and 10; and 2 p.m.. May 20 at the school's auditorium. Tickets: $10 general, $7 students and seniors; only at the door. This website is worth looking at: www.ehsdrama.com, 360-604-3700.
• Woodland presents "Cyrano and Roxanne" a comedic parody of the classic French play. 7 p.m., May 1-3 only at the school's auditorium. Tickets: $6 general, $5 seniors, $2 students.
• Mountain View presents "Guys and Dolls." 7 p.m., May 1-3 and 8-10, and 1 p.m. may 3 at the school's auditorium. $10 general, $ for students, seniors and under 12. 360-604-6100.
• Vancouver School of Arts and Academics presents the Sondheim musical "Into the Woods." 7 p.m., May 1-3 and 8-10 at their Royal Durst Theatre. Tickets: $5 general, $4 students and seniors. arts.vansd.org, 360-313-4600.

We'd love to review any of these shows we've not yet booked. We have May 2 and 3 open on a first come first served basis. Email us at swwastar@aol.com.

We are also reviewing the Northwest Children's Theater production of (Little Red) "Riding Hood" this Sunday, May 4 in Portland. It's a new twist on the tale where Ruby (Red) wants to fix and race cars (sounds like my niece Logan), but The Wolf is determined to show her that girls don't belong behind the wheel. Luckily her Granny (Rosie?), who was a riveter during the war, has a few tricks up her rolled up sleeve. All this takes place in the 1950s setting with doo-wap music.  It's running now through May 26, at noon and 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, at 2 p.m. on May 26 and at 7 p.m. on May 9, 16 and 23. Location is 819 NW Everett St. in Portland. Tickets: $18-22 general, $13-18 for youth. www.nwcts.org, 503-222-4480.