Imagination Stage’s Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood is a flavorful delight!

Audiences have been waiting for a cure to the cold and this show did not disappoint

By Eitan Amster – December 31, 2024. Featured image © Photo by Margot Schulman 

We’ve all heard the tale of Little Red and the Big Bad Wolf, but nothing prepares you for the romp in the swamp that is Mike Artell’s Petite Rouge! Adapted for the stage by Joan Cushing, Imagination Stage brings to life the story of a Cajun Red Riding Hood, tied in a wonderful rouge bow with a full musical score. The show features music and choreography that explores styles like Dixieland jazz, gospel, Cajun two-step, Zydeco, and the blues. 

Petite Rouge is a melting pot of Cajun culture, providing an imaginative landscape in the bayou as a young duckling finds her way to Grandmere’s house alongside her feline sidekick, TeJean. When they face Claude, the Big Bad Gator, their journey takes them through the Mardi Gras in New Orleans and beyond in their unbeknownst quest for self-discovery and expression.

While the musical is recommended for children age five and up, Nathaniel P. Claridad’s direction of the piece makes it enjoyable at any age, building a bridge between children’s entertainment, and high-quality theater. There are some fun surprises in the script and the show’s artistry that make it even more exciting, with a layer of witty and truly impeccable comedic timing. The immersive elements includes moments of scripted audience interaction, a set with many transformations, and intriguing lighting choices within costumes and on the stage.

Jordan Leah Embrack gives a remarkable performance in the titular role with a standout solo number “Waiting for Life to Start!” near the beginning. The three narrators, Crayfish, Turtle, and Frog played by Edima Essien, Aja Goode, and Carl L. Williams, respectively, are mesmerizing as they open the first “Ballad of Petite Rouge” in unison with their infectious smiles amidst the foggy bayou. The three play about nine characters each, astonishing the audience with immense versatility in the costume work for the show and their capabilities as actors and a talented choir together. While the cast only has six actors on stage, if you didn’t blink twice, it feels like an entire ensemble because of how much vocal power and energy each person brings to their role. Stephen Russell Murray adds a healthy dose of skepticism to TeJean that plays off Petite Rouge’s naiveté extremely well, and Michael Perrie Jr. finds a perfect balance between sinister and delightful in his interpretation of Claude, both packing a few highly comedic and skillful punches into the show. 

More than anything, Petite Rouge is an important representation of stories that are not told often enough in theater. The book’s stage adaptation embraces cross-cultural connections for audiences at a very young age. The musical not only honors the Cajun atmosphere but also provides truthful storytelling, making it a must-see for those in the DMV area. This is a story that hasn’t been told and needs to be heard. Children and adults alike have an opportunity to experience a show that’s accessible to all audiences through the imaginative world of a renewed classic!

Running Time: 65 minutes

Petite Rouge runs through February 8, 2025, presented by Imagination Stage, 4908 Auburn Ave, Bethesda, MD. Purchase tickets starting at $12 online.

Petite Rouge: A Cajun Red Riding Hood

Written by Mike Artell, illustrated by Jim Harris

Adapted by Joan Cushing

Directed by Nathaniel P. Claridad

CAST

Jordan Leah Embrack: Petite Rouge

Edima Essien: Crayfish, Mrs. Duck (and more)

Aja Goode: Turtle, Grandmere (and more)

Stephen Russell Murray: TeJean/ASM

Michael Perrie Jr.: Claude/Dance Captain

Carl L. Williams: Frog (and more)

UNDERSTUDIES

Kayla Earl: Mrs. Duck/Turtle

Nathan Nichipor: TeJean/Frog 1st Cover

Jacob Pelzman-Kern: Claude/Frog 2nd Cover

Kayleandra White: Petite Rouge

PRODUCTION TEAM

Director: Nathaniel P. Claridad

Choreographer: Maurice Johnson

Music Director: Deborah Jacobson

Scenic Designer: Sophia Tepermeister

Costume Designer: Paris Francesca

Lighting Designer: Christian D. Henrriquez

Sound Designer: Sam Crawford

Resident Props Designer: Andrea “Dre” Moore

Dialect Coach: Gerrad Alex Taylor

Resident Stage Manager: Samantha Leahan

Assistant Director: Randy Snight

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