Centerstage presents ‘Red Riding Hood: A Holiday Panto’

Published 7:30 am Saturday, November 8, 2025

The perfect annual tradition returns this season with “Red Riding Hood: a Holiday Panto.” Turning everything topsy-turvy with new songs and old jokes, Centerstage Theatre is putting its very own spin on the story of a gal and her scarlet cloak. For years, Centerstage has taken the UK tradition of the holiday panto — a show based on a fairytale, with wonderful characters, fabulous music, and nonstop laughter — and put its own American twist on it to bring a Christmas treat for all audiences.

This production features local actors Chailia Wendland as Red Riding Hood, Jeremiah Williams as The Prince, Forrest Leder as The Wolf, Brad Cerenzia as The Dame, Mauro Bozzo as Robyn, Sydney Belden as Fairy Dust, Brynne Geiszler as Magithor, Eric Strachan as Mayor Daysbee, Jonna Nguyen as Feaatured Ensemble, Natalie Wingerter as Featured Ensemble, Mari Roy as Featured Ensemble, Brad Alemao as Featured Ensemble, Collin Hesson as Featured Ensemble, Dean Marshall as Ensemble, Emma Sonsteng as Ensemble. As well as a list of juvenile ensemble actors: Jeran Leder, Makaela Leder, Kellen Duval-Wilkenson, and Matiya Searing.

“Red Riding Hood: a Holiday Panto” is written by Vince Brady, and is directed and choreographed by panto expert Helen Marion-Rowe. Niclas Olson is the tech director and set designer, Daniel Wolfhert is the musical director, Taylor Davis is the choreographer, Shannon C. Miller is the lighting designer, the Dame’s costumes are designed by Krista Haskins, Duana Hutchinson costumes the rest of the characters, props by Dean Marshall, Evan Rees is the sound designer, with the sound assistant being Natalie Clark, Tuppence Cooney is in charge of the juvenile ensemble, stage manager is Mo Moniz with Ashlyn Bagocius as assistant stage manager, and Phoebe Bumbury is a stagehand.

The show runs Nov. 29 to Dec. 21, with showtimes at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays as well as 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

The Knutzen Family Theater is located at 3200 SW Dash Point Rd., Federal Way. General admission tickets are $44 in advance (online or over the phone) and $47 at the door. Group, student, military and senior ticket discounts are available. A “pay what you will” performance is on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 7 p.m. Visit www.CenterstageTheatre.com.