July 22-28, 2004

artpicks

Wolf Gang

by Lori Hill

theater

The Big Bad Wolf becomes Huff 'n' Puff Daddy. Little Red Riding Hood becomes Lil' Red. And using only scaffolding, a red door and a big red bed, REV Theatre Company hopes to evoke all the genuine scariness of Grimm's original fairy tale — with a modern twist. The Lil' Red Show is part of REV's summer outreach program, which a few years ago brought us A Midsummer Night's Dream with baby-pool fountains and pop music on the steps of the Art Museum and before that a playful retelling of the Jacobean bloodfest The Witch of Edmonton at the Brick Playhouse. This time, REV has teamed up with PHYSED, a community organization in South Philadelphia that provides afterschool and summer camp programs. Ten-year-old Rosemary Malunis will play the title character in her first acting role. The more-seasoned Rudy Caporaso (also co-artistic director of REV) is the teeth-baring villain Huff 'n' Puff Daddy — described as a Mick Jagger rock-star caricature. Musical numbers include songs by everyone from Dean Martin to Linda Ronstadt, but the centerpiece will surely be "Werewolves of London," written by Philly's own Warren Zevon. The New York-based Caporaso and partner Rosey Hay look for ways to make classic theater accessible to all, including children. This series of outdoor performances, which features a cast of local children and professional actors, should be no exception. The audience is encouraged to bring blankets and chairs and have a picnic before the show.

The Lil' Red Show, Sat.-Sun., July 24-25, 6 p.m., west side steps of Art Museum, 26th St. and the Parkway; Wed.-Thu., July 28-29, 7 p.m., behind the Mummers Museum, Washington Ave. and Second St.; free, 267-679-3366 (for weather questions).