A Big Bad Good time

He huffed and he puffed and now he’s on trial for all of his “alleged” bad deeds. “The Big Bad Musical — A Howling Courtroom Comedy” will bring to life the crimes of the Big Bad Wolf and all of those he has wronged in a fun musical performed by PCM Middle School students Friday and Saturday.

“This is super cute because it is all of the characters the wolf has done something nasty to,” director Janice Davis said.

Smart and wickedly funny for all ages, the musical sees the Big Bad Wolf being slapped with a class-action lawsuit by quirky storybook characters who want to get even. In on the suit are Little Red Riding Hood, her Grandmother, the Three Little Pigs and the Shepherd in charge of the Boy Who Cried Wolf.

Representing each side are The Evil Stepmother and the Fairy Godmother, two of the greatest legal minds in the Enchanted Forest. Covering the trial live is Sydney Grim commenting on Court TV.

While it seems the wolf deserves all that is coming to him as the fairy tale characters testify to his wrongdoing, once his council takes the stage the question has to be asked, was he born a criminal or made one? Musical numbers including “Big Bad,” “I Got Nothin’ To Say,” “No More,” “He Huffed and He Puffed,” “I Cried Wolf,” “Have Mercy On Me” and “May All Your Ever-Afters” will help the audience make their decision.

Like most activities and events, the pandemic has made its mark in preparation for the musical. While some restrictions have made it more of a struggle, it will definitely be a year to remember.

“It has been really different this year because we have two separate casts. It is a shorter show, smaller cast,” Davis said. “We tried to make provisions due to COVID, so less kids at once.”

Unfortunately, with two casts rehearsal has also been limited to two days a week per cast. With seven snow days also thrown in along with a week of conferences, practicing has been more challenging this year.

“It has made it harder for them to be consistent with lines, music,” Davis said. “We encourage them at all times, on your days off, please practice, run music, run lines.”

About 65 kids in all grades came out to perform and work on the crew. Because of COVID, everyone will be wearing a mask, even during performances, creating another learning moment for the kids.

“That has been another challenge. We’ve really had to talk about how the rest of your face has to show expression and reactions and your body, you have to find other ways because you gasp with your mouth,” Davis said. “We’ve had to talk about projecting through the masks so that has been another challenge we’ve had to work through.”

Even with all of the challenges put before the students and staff, in the first week of practicing the full production everyone stepped up.

“This is our first week we are putting together lights, sound, crew, everything and it is going pretty well. It’ll be enjoyable and as long as they have fun. That’s all that matters,” Davis said.

Performances with limited seating will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the PCM Middle School Auditorium. It will also be live-streamed for viewers at home.

“Last August ... things were changing so fast but we really wanted so badly to let these kids do something. They really look forward to this, so we really wanted to try to find a way to do this,” Davis said. “We’re (Emma LeValley and I) both really happy we found a way for them to do this.”

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com