Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood, the musical that rocked Imagination Stage two years ago, opens at New York’s Musical Theatre Festival’s 45th Street Theatre on Tuesday, Sept 25th and runs through Tues, Oct 6th.
Written by prolific local playwright Joan Cushing (best known for Junie B. Jones and the Miss Nelson series), and directed and choreographed by Michael J. Bobbitt, Artistic Director of Adventure Theatre, the production stars Washington talents Felicia Curry, Bobby Smith, Tracy McMullan, Billy Bustamante, and Cyana Cook.
Joan Cushing has written a saucy and colorful Cajun take on Little Red Riding Hood. A Swamp Chorus sings backup to the Zydeco-driven score in this foot-stomping, family-friendly musical soaked in Cajun hot sauce! When the Big Bad Gator (Bobby Smith) spies tasty duck Petite Rouge (Felicia Curry) and her sidekick cat TeJean (Billy Bustamente) heading down the bayou, Petite leads him on a wild duck chase through the New Orleans Mardi Gras, all the way to a surprise ending.
“Petite Rouge closed just before Katrina hit. To me it’s become a way to bring back an awareness of New Orleans – the food, music and culture” Joan explained on her interview with Broadway Bullet. The production donates $1 from every ticket to the Musicians House, which cares for musicians from New Orleans’ 9th Ward, it’s hardest hit region.
Listen to the Broadway Bullet podcast with John Cushing, Isaiah Johnson and Cyanna Cook here.
