BIG BAD WOLF and the Endangered Forest
Music & lyrics by Lawrence Goldberg
Book by Margaret Thomas Kelso
A family musical written in 1988, Big Bad Wolf... takes the classic fairytale villain and converts him into a protagonist by viewing environmental issues through his perspective. After he deals with the Three Little Pigs (because they've been chopping down trees to build their houses), he's alerted by his friend Hummingbird that there's a scary dragon decimating the forest. Picking up a jittery Raccoon and an idealistic Young Girl along the way, the Wolf tries to do battle with the mechanical dragon (operated by a selfishly enterprising Witch), but is thwarted. Finally enlisting the aid of a street-wise Fox and the engineering skills of the Three Little Pigs, our team is able to overcome the threat and convince the Witch that conservation is good for everyone. Big Bad Wolf... was premiered in 1995 by Portland Opera Young Artists, and a scaled-down version subsequently toured schools throughout the South.
(All material © 1988 by Lawrence Goldberg)
Music & lyrics by Lawrence Goldberg
Book by Margaret Thomas Kelso
A family musical written in 1988, Big Bad Wolf... takes the classic fairytale villain and converts him into a protagonist by viewing environmental issues through his perspective. After he deals with the Three Little Pigs (because they've been chopping down trees to build their houses), he's alerted by his friend Hummingbird that there's a scary dragon decimating the forest. Picking up a jittery Raccoon and an idealistic Young Girl along the way, the Wolf tries to do battle with the mechanical dragon (operated by a selfishly enterprising Witch), but is thwarted. Finally enlisting the aid of a street-wise Fox and the engineering skills of the Three Little Pigs, our team is able to overcome the threat and convince the Witch that conservation is good for everyone. Big Bad Wolf... was premiered in 1995 by Portland Opera Young Artists, and a scaled-down version subsequently toured schools throughout the South.
(All material © 1988 by Lawrence Goldberg)
Overture/Huffin' & Puffin' Joseph Dellger + company
After a rousing Overture, we join Big Bad Wolf in the midst of his confrontation with the Three Little Pigs (Irene Cho, Elisabeth Van Stralen, Alice Lynn). He blows down the straw and wood houses, but before he's able to attempt to blow down the brick house, his friend Hummingbird (Elisabeth Van Stralen) alerts him that there's a terrifying dragon wreaking havoc on the other side of the forest. |
Big Bad Wolf Joseph Dellger
The Wolf celebrates his mean and intimidating image, and vows to vanquish the destructive dragon. |
Setting Off For Adventure J. Dellger & Elisabeth Van Stralen
Wolf and Hummingbird set off for the other side of the forest, gleefully making plans to get rid of the dragon. |
Raccoon Song D.C. Anderson
Along the way, Wolf and Hummingbird run into a timid Raccoon and convince him (against his better judgment) to join them in their mission. |
The Mean Contest Alice Lynn + company
After picking up additional assistance in the form of an idealistic Young Girl (Jani Newman), our team is confronted by an evil Witch who seems to have it in for Big Bad Wolf. She shows them a magic apple, which purportedly will give the person who possesses it magical protection from dragons. She offers it as a prize to whomever demonstrates he's the meanest (knowing full well it'll be Wolf-- in reality, the apple contains a powerful sleeping potion with which she hopes to thwart Wolf's mission). |
Without a Friend Joseph Dellger + company
Wolf is knocked out by the sleeping potion. The others don't know what to do, until Young Girl remembers reading somewhere that you can awaken someone from a sleeping spell by giving them a kiss. She tries it, and sure enough Wolf awakens, but in his initial disorientation he growls frighteningly and scares the others away. When he regains his senses, he can't understand why the others all deserted him. Meanwhile, fearfully trying to confront the dragon on their own, the others wish they still had Wolf with them. |
Get Out While the Gettin's Good Dan O'Leary & J. Dellger
Wolf encounters a cynical, street-wise Fox who sees the destruction going on and decides he's better off skipping town and finding a new forest to live in. He counsels Wolf to do the same. |
David and Goliath Joseph Dellger + company
Wolf's friends have been trapped by the dragon, but Hummingbird is able to escape and find Wolf. She straightens out the misunderstanding and convinces Wolf to rescue the others. He does so by huffing and puffing and blowing the trap apart. However, when he confronts the dragon head on, his breath only fans the dragon's fire-breathing flames, and he ends up singed and defeated. The others exude similar hopelessness, and Wolf realizes it's on him to rally their spirits. He recalls the story of David and Goliath, and how even an underdog can beat the odds. Just as he's gotten their spirits up again, Fox (sung on this track by Norman Large) passes by carrying a load of his possessions on his way out of town. He scoffs at the group's impossible goal and leaves. But Hummingbird comes up with the brilliant idea of enlisting the help of the Three Little Pigs. After all, they've got valuable engineering skills. |
Who Will Save the Trees? Joseph Dellger + company
Wolf swallows his pride and reconciles with the Three Little Pigs. The group then tries to formulate a new plan of attack, but the Witch slyly spreads cynical propaganda, and they argue loudly. Fox, attracted by the commotion while toting the last of his stuff, tries to get them to quiet down. They all appeal to Fox to agree to help them-- after all, Foxes are smart, crafty animals. |
Finale Joseph Dellger + company
Fox formulates an elaborate plan, and they confront the dragon. We see for the first time that the Witch is actually operating the mechanical monster. The group, working together, each using his particular skills, is finally able to subdue the dragon and the Witch. They convince the Witch to convert the dragon into a force for good: a musical, tree-planting, espresso-brewing recycling center. The forest is saved, and everyone celebrates the leadership of Big Bad Wolf. |