Stage Review - Red Riding Hood: A Holiday Panto (Centerstage Theatre)
Stage Review - Red Riding Hood: A Holiday Panto
Presented By: Centerstage Theatre - Federal Way, WA
Show Run: November 28 - December 21, 2025
Date Reviewed: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Run Time: 2 House, 35 Minutes (including a 15-minute intermission)
Reviewed By: Breanne Jensen
Fairytales are stories that we are often told as children, that teach us lessons to help guide our choices throughout life, so that when we become adults, we make moral and ethical decisions. As youngsters we find these fables to be enchanting and idealistic. However, as we grow older, while these stories bring us comfort and nostalgia, there is also some humor to be found, as the world has brought us to be in on the “joke” we call life.
Centerstage’s “Red Riding Hood” is a panto (pantomime) style theatrical experience. A “panto” for those who are not familiar, is a British adopted style of storytelling for fairytales/nursery rhymes, with music, dancing, slap stick comedy, and is usually performed during the Christmas season, geared towards children. This production checked all those boxes and then some! Following the traditional story of Little Red Riding Hood, her hood, and that whole unfortunate “incident” with her grandmother and the big bad wolf thing, this is a fresh twist on a classic tale. This show includes modern music by some of the greats Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus and even the Ghostbusters to name a few (yeah, I said it!) that had everyone humming along. The audience is introduced to the villain of the show, Magithor, whose great plan is as always, world domination, and her good morale rival/counterpart, Fairy Dust, who has a knack for keeping the good vs. evil in balance and reminds Magithor who she really is. These two take on the roles of narrator in a sense and lead you through production and help you put a bookmark in places (think Princess Bride- hearing the story being told vs. being in the story). Imagine a children’s book that has buttons on the side of the page that help make the story immersive by sound effects, slogans, dialogue, etc. and you will have pictured what it feels like to step into a pantomime experience such as Centerstage’s.
The sets are professional in look, design, versatility and effectiveness, as are all the technical aspects (trust me there is a lot!). The use of the stage, audience, entrances and exits keep the audience engaged and never quite sure where the action will come from next! At times when everyone in the cast is in the village scenes, it felt as if you were watching a mini-Disney show when you are in the amusement park(s). I know that the crew for this show must be just as exhausted as the cast with how many cues there are. The direction by Helen Marion-Rowe is polished, light and done in a way that has the children giggling at the silliness and has the adults giggling at adult themes and jokes that toe right on the line. Marion- Rowe’s casting choices are perfect in every way!
The leading role of Red Riding Hood is dominated by actress, Chailia Wendland whose voice, talent and beauty are all equally matched. Wendland’s voice is modern yet timeless and I would not be surprised if she is destined for greatness. The charming and simple character of The Prince is played by Jeremiah Williams whose portrayal feels regal and adorable, with a voice of smooth velvet. Like any true damsel, ‘Red’ has help from two mythical divas, Fairy Dust the good fairy (played by Sydney Belden) and Magithor, the bad fairy (played by Brynne Geiszler). Both powerhouse performers really set the expectation of how amazing the show will be from the very opening scene with both of their talents and storytelling. Geizler’s improv skills, sassy one liners, bad girl attire that gives first album Lady Gaga vibes and vocal chops are all as fabulous as the villain she portrays. Belden, the good fairy, is like a real-life Tinkerbell. Belden looks and sounds like Sabrina Carpenter meets Miley Cyrus and her timber, character and spirit uplift you and make you feel an energy that cannot be replicated. Belden is a star on the rise! The three little pigs also known in this production as Vickie, Dickie and Mickie are a tremendous trio played by Mari Layson Roy, Jonna Nguyen and Collin Hesson, are a modern-day pop group who will leave you so that you are never able to take your eyes off them when they are on stage.
The role of Red Riding Hood’s brother, Robyn, is played by stage veteran Mauro Bozzo, who brings physical and improv comedy to a whole new level. Bozzo’s shaving cream, three stooges vignette, had me in stitches with how hard I was laughing. I would love to see Mr. Bozzo play Robyn in “Spamalot” as the role, era and humor really match his talents and had him shining. The comedic counterpart to Robyn, is the one returning character, known as “The Dame”, and in this production specifically, “Dame Hood” who is brought to life by Brad Cerenzia. I have never once had the pleasure of seeing Cerenzia on stage before and I was blown away by his performance. Every aspect of what he gives is natural, effortless, believable, enjoyable, professional and charming. Between The Dame’s amazing costumes, elaborate-giant wigs, matching crocs and cheeky disposition, Cerenzia’s performance is worth the money alone to see this show, however, every single person even down to the children’s ensemble, is giving their hearts and full emotion into this panto that makes it a production I will never forget.
Now that I have experienced what a panto consists of as an audience member, I cannot wait for the next holiday season to take myself and my family to see what exciting fable Centerstage does next year! The story is classic, the experience is more than enjoyable, the costumes, sets, designs and actors are all over the top in professionality and quality, and you will not regret spending a day if you are lucky enough to catch tickets before they sell out, at CenterStage’s Red Riding Hood.
Red Riding Hood: A Holiday Panto runs on stage at Centerstage Theatre through December 21. For more information, including ticket availability and sales, visit https://centerstagetheatre.com/.
Photo credit: Michelle Smith-Lewis
