January 12, 2006

SCHOOL SCENEin Almaden Valley

Traveling production begins for Castillero Middle School

Castillero performers wow Williams’s kids
with ‘The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf’

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Everyone has heard the tale of the three little pigs and their misadventures with the big bad wolf. Songs have even been written about “Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?” But have you ever heard of the trial of the big bad wolf? Come to think of it, maybe it’s time to bring this character to justice.

“I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house down,” said the wolf in a reenactment during “The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf.” Left: Zach Doyle, Ian Twidwell, Emely Balingit, Nicollete Gilday, Ana Reyes and Joseph Klink. Photos by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

Castillero Middle School thespians recently performed, “The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf” for Williams Elementary School. It was their opening night. Well, perhaps we should say their opening day since the play began at 9:30 a.m.

Castillero’s seventh and eighth grade students began rehearsing in late October under the guidance of theater arts instructor Sharol Felch who has taught at the visual, performing arts and academic magnet for four years.

“One of the reasons we chose this play was because it had a big cast,” said the energetic Felch. “We have 18 performers acting. And it appeals to the kids and has easy props that travel well.”

And while Williams’s children watched the talented young thespians, they learned new words and a lesson or two about guilt and innocence from many different points of view. Not to mention an education on trials and the media.

It wasn’t just the beloved pigs and the wolf that makes an appearance; Little Red Riding Hood, Old King Cole, Cinderella, Jack Spratt and Mrs. Spratt as well as court reporters, attorneys and others were among the cast of characters. Wise Old Owl played the judge who had just penned a book with plans to donate all the money to charity. The audience discovers later that Charity is his cheerleader daughter.

Castillero students shake hands with Williams’s students after their performance of “The Trail of the Big Bad Wolf.” Beginning far left, Danille Wright, Max Veregge, Megan Lombardi, Jessica Tom, Ana Reyes, Nicollete Gilday, Joseph Klink, Zach Doyle and Emely Balingit.

The young actors are scheduled to take their show to other elementary schools. And if the reaction of the Williams School audience is any indication, they have a success on their hands. After the performance and bows, the kids answered questions from the curious audience.

“Why didn’t you wear a mask of a wolf?” asked a boy in the audience.

“I think my face is scary enough,” answered Castillero Middle School eighth grader Zach Doyle.

And that’s another thing about “The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf.” The younger kids have fun watching it and the performers love acting in it. The vocabulary and the lessons learned are just educational extras for the kids of Almaden Valley.