The wonder of puppetry is the simplicity of characters and imagination. The Puppet Co. adds pizzazz by adding crazy twists to familiar stories, resulting in delightful hilarity. The original puppet production of Little Red Riding Hood and the 3 Little Pigs by the company’s founders has been revam ped in a fresh new take for a fun run at Glen Echo.  Scene from ‘Little Red Riding Hood and the 3 Little Pigs.’ Photo by Allan Stevens. The centerpiece of this romp is a cool, hip-shaking wolf who gets maligned by unscrupulous characters he meets along his merry way. The three pigs, for example, come across as well-meaning and industrious at first; each brother has a distinct personality, and they banter among themselves in cute brotherhood. But things are not what they seem as the pigs misconstrue innocent events, set up false scenarios of what supposedly happened, and convince themselves and anyone who will listen that the wolf is a conniving, vicious predator! At one point he huffs and puffs, but that’s only because he’s running uphill trying to catch up with a hysterical pig to explain his innocent intentions. Instead of threatening to blow the house down, he actually says he’s tired and planning to go lie down.  Scene from ‘Little Red Riding Hood and the 3 Little Pigs.’ Photo by Allan Stevens. Same with a little girl in a red riding hood selling cookies on the road on her way to her grandmother’s house. Little does she know that offering the wolf some of her delicious bakery items will set up an unfortunate chain of events that makes him appear harmful. Once he’s had a taste of the baguettes and then cookies, the wolf sets his sights on devouring more, including popping over to the grandmother’s house. From his perspective, who would prefer eating a bony old lady when a delicious batch of cookies is in the mix? The music soundtrack is hum-along fun with an irresistible howling refrain. In this time of digital overload, it’s refreshing to watch a cool rod wolf puppet slide-step to a funky beat to get in the groove. The Puppet Co.’s production of Little Red Riding Hood and the 3 Little Pigs shows how easy it is to target an innocent bystander and present them as a dangerous enemy. The insights are timeless and entertaining in this twisted fairy-tale family treat for all. Running Time: Approximately 45 minutes. Little Red Riding Hood and the 3 Little Pigs plays through September 20, 2026 (Thursdays and Fridays at 10:30 am; Saturdays and Sundays at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm), at the Puppet Co. Playhouse, 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, MD. Purchase tickets ($18 per person) by calling the Box Office (301-634-5380) or order them online. (Under age 2, no ticket required, but call the Box Office to reserve a free ticket.) Recommended for ages 4+. Helpful driving and parking instructions are here. Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Little PigsWritten by Christopher PiperDirected by Danny PushkinStarring Lee Gerstenhaber, Mollie Greenberg James, and Brigid Wallace HarperSwing: Andrew Quilpa Puppets by Christopher PiperScenic and Costume Design: MayField Piper, Allan StevensSound Design: Elizabeth Dapo, Christopher PiperOriginal Lighting Design: Christopher PiperUpdated Lighting Design: Elizabeth Dapo, Maggie RochaPuppet and Prop Maintenance: Andrea “Dre” Moore, Danny Pushkin, Maggie Rocha ...read more read less