The Three Little Pigs
Embark on a charming and witty adventure with three little pigs as they battle the big bad wolf.
Show Essentials
5
Roles
G
Rated
1
Act

Full Synopsis

The lights come up on a red carpet, signifying the imminent appearance of celebrities. The famous Three Little Pigs (Cha, Siu and Bao) enter like rock stars. They proclaim that, while there are a lot of stories about pigs, theirs is the best (and most famous). Their Mother enters and claims some of the credit for their story ("One, Two, Three Little Pigs").

Mother explains that fame has not changed her children. She starts to tell a story of "once upon a time," when the Pigs were younger. The narrative flashes back to the Pigs' childhood. As they play, the Pigs' distinct personalities come out. Cha is a muscular jock, Siu is environmentally conscious and Bao is a bookworm. Mother calls them in for dinner, apologizing that there is not enough to eat. The Pigs are growing bigger and require more food. It has been more than a year since their father was eaten by the Big Bad Wolf, and Mother notes that, as the Pigs start to grow up, it is time for them to go out on their own. She encourages them to make their own way in the world because there simply isn't enough room for them in her house anymore ("A Real Pig Sty").

Although Mother will miss them, they need to stand on their own "four trotters." She reminds them, however: no matter where they are in the world, they need to stick together because they are family. Siu is concerned about the Big Bad Wolf, but Mother assures her that he hasn't been seen in these parts for a long time. Nevertheless, Mother encourages her children to live together. This plan quickly becomes problematic as the Three Little Pigs point out all the ways they would not get along if they lived together. As the Pigs wonder where they will build their new homes, they realize there is a big, wide world waiting for them ("Perfect for a Pig").

As the Pigs bicker about where to put their houses, it becomes apparent that, while Bao is planning for the future, Cha is definitely only thinking about the present. Bao insists that they need a good foundation upon which to build their houses; he learned that from his books. Cha points out that Bao is not strong enough to build a house. Siu points out that not everyone can be good at everything, and they need to work together, like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle: each person using his or her unique talents. Bao still wishes that they could live together, despite his siblings desire to have their own houses. It becomes apparent, however, that they have different ideas for what their house should be. Bao wants a brick house and Siu wants an environmentally friendly house ("A Little House").

Bao walks past a "wanted" poster for the Big Bad Wolf. Although he tells himself that it must be an old poster, he also decides that he should warn the others. As he runs off, the poster comes to life and the Big Bad Wolf appears. The Big Bad Wolf addresses the audience, claiming that he's not really big and bad, he's just misunderstood. Two owls, hiding in a tree, sing back up ("A Bit Misunderstood"). He then decides he's feeling hungry, and wonders if the Little Pigs will taste as good as their daddy....

Meanwhile, concerned about the Wolf, the Pigs decide to build their houses close together. They find an area with a rock solid foundation. Just as they are looking for building materials, a convenient tradesperson passes by. This merchant is selling straw, which meets Siu's criteria for environmentally friendly building materials. She buys all of the merchant's straw and begins building her house ("A Little House – Straw"). Next, a merchant passes by who is selling sticks, which Cha buys to build his house ("A Little House – Twigs"). Finally, a merchant passes by who is carrying bricks, which Bao buys for his house ("A Little House – Bricks").

The Wolf reappears, smells the delicious little pigs and asks the audience where to find them. He goes off in search of them as we find the Pigs building their respective houses. Each believes his or her house is made from the best materials ("To Build a House"). They all find challenges with their materials, but Bao seems to be doing the best with the bricks. As soon as they finish building, the Wolf appears!

As the Wolf surveys the Pigs' houses, they rush inside. He first approaches Siu's house. When she refuses to let him in, he begins to huff and puff and blow her house down ("I'll Huff and I'll Puff"). He succeeds, but all of the hay gives him hay fever; Siu uses this distraction to run to Cha's house. The Wolf is not deterred, excited by the possibility of two-for-one at Cha's twig house ("Double Whopper"). He succeeds in blowing down Cha's house, but gets sawdust in his eyes, which allows Siu and Cha to run over to Bao's house. On the way, Cha throws water in the Wolf's face to clear out the sawdust. When the children in the audience laugh at him, the Wolf pours a bucket of "water" on the kids.

When the Wolf gets to Bao's house, he tries and tries to blow it down, but the house stands firm. Cha and Siu admit that Bao had the best idea for building a house, saying that their mother will be so proud. Overhearing this, the Wolf gets an idea. The Wolf pretends to be defeated and runs off to Mother's house while the Pigs celebrate their victory.

The Pigs decide that they need to build a trap in case the Wolf comes back. Cha digs a hole, which they intend to cover with a frame of twigs and straw ("To Trap the Wolf"). Before they can finish making the hole deep enough, the Wolf returns... with Mother in tow!

Mother begs the Wolf to eat her instead of the children, but he is disgusted. She is old and stringy, and he wants something fresh and plump. Bao plans to lure the Wolf into the trap, but Cha warns that the hole isn't deep enough. Bao thinks he can still trip the Wolf up. Bao tricks the Wolf into releasing Mother and getting stuck in the trap long enough for them to rush inside. The Wolf decides that, if the Pigs want to play dirty, that's fine. He'll play dirtier ("Play Dirty").

The Wolf climbs up on the roof, intending to come in through the chimney. Bao warns him against this as he has been boiling a stew in the fireplace, and the Wolf will get burned to death if he comes down. Mother, Siu and Cha don't understand why Bao is concerned for the Wolf's safety, but Bao explains that he would rather have the police arrest the Wolf than have him killed. Siu agrees that they should have respect for all animals; after all, it is not environmentally friendly to kill a wolf. Despite Bao's warnings, the Wolf doesn't believe him and comes down the chimney, falling into the pot.

The Pigs are glad that their family survived by sticking together. They all decide to all live in Bao's house together, just as he wanted from the beginning. The story shifts back to the beginning, with the famous Pigs on the red carpet ("Finale").

Casting
← Back to The Three Little Pigs
Cast Size: Small (Up to 10 performers)
Cast Type: Ensemble Cast
Dance Requirements: Standard

Character Breakdown

Cha
The oldest of the three little pigs. Popular, athletic, sometimes arrogant. Does not always think things through.
Gender: male
Siu
The middle of the three little pigs, and the only girl. Feisty, energetic and passionate about environmental issues. Often annoyed by her brothers.
Gender: female
Bao
The youngest of the three little pigs. Much more brainy than brawny; an avid reader and studier, but not very athletic. Loves his family and wants them to be together. Clever and resourceful.
Gender: male
Mother Pig
The Pigs' mother. Loves her children very much, but also wants them to be responsible in the real world.
Gender: female
Big Bad Wolf
A cocky, ravenous, Wolf with a taste for pig. Believes himself to be misunderstood.
Gender: male
Twit/twoo
Two owls who sing backup for the Big Bad Wolf.
Merchant
Array
Full Song List
The Three Little Pigs: No Recording Currently Available
The Three Little Pigs: One, Two, Three Little Pigs
The Three Little Pigs: A Real Pig Sty
The Three Little Pigs: Perfect For A Pig
The Three Little Pigs: A Little House
The Three Little Pigs: A Little House (Reprise)
The Three Little Pigs: A Bit Misunderstood
The Three Little Pigs: To Build A House
The Three Little Pigs: I'll Huff and I'll Puff
The Three Little Pigs: Down The Chimney
The Three Little Pigs: Finale

Show History

Inspiration


The Three Little Pigs is a musical adaptation of the classic fairytale of the same name. Printed versions of The Three Little Pigs date back to the 1840s, but the story itself is thought to be much older. Joseph Jacobs published one of the best known versions of the story in the 1890s. The story is also reminiscent of a Brother's Grimm fairytale, The Wolf and The Seven Young Kids, from the early nineteenth century. The Three Little Pigs became popular in the United States through Joe Chandler Harris' Tales of Uncle Remus in 1880 and the Walt Disney cartoon version in 1933.

Singapore Repertory Theatre commissioned the Olivier Award-winning British songwriting team, George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, to adapt the fairytale for the stage.


Productions


The Three Little Pigs premiered at the Singapore Repertory Theatre in 2012, where it enjoyed a sold out run from March 2nd until April 15th. It was presented by SRT's The Little Theatre. The cast featured Ann Summers Lek, Oliver Pang, Celine Rosa Tan, Sebastian Tan and Tan Shou Chen.

In October 2013, The Three Little Pigs was featured in the National Alliance of Musical Theatre's 25th Annual Festival of New Musicals in New York City.

The show then enjoyed a run at the Greenwich Theatre in London and at the Emerald Theatre in Chicago, where it ran from January 22, through May 17, 2014. This was followed by a run at the Weston Playhouse in Vermont from June 19, through July 12, 2014.

Cultural Influence

  • Stiles and Drewe are a prolific and well-known writing team. Their work includes Just So, Honk! and the Broadway and UK smash, Mary Poppins.
  • The Three Little Pigs is the first installment in The Little Company Trio-Series at Singapore Repertory Theatre. The second and third installments are Goldilocks and the Three Bears and The Three Billy Goats Gruff, respectively, also by Stiles and Drewe.
  • SimG Records released a studio cast recording of the score in June 2011.

Trivia

  • Cha, Siu and Bao are named for Stiles and Drewe's favorite dim sum dish, steamed buns filled with barbecue pork.
  • George Stiles and Anthony Drewe met at Exeter University, where they started off as rivals.
  • The Three Little Pigs is a ubiquitous fairytale in Western culture and has been adapted and referenced in a variety of media. The phrase "I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house down," used in the story, has become embedded in Western culture.
  • NAMT has nurtured the creation, development, production and presentation of new musicals since 1985.

Critical Reaction

"A fresh twist on a classic tale."
– Chicago Tribune

"The classic Three Little Pigs gets a fun, jazzy, musical reenactment when Emerald City brings it to the Apollo Theater stage."
– Danielle Braff, Chicago Parent

"This lively and funny version of the children's classic bedtime story is from the same team behind the Broadway production of Mary Poppins. The performances are engaging and – much to my pleasant surprise – the story has not been simplified nor does the script talk down to the audience."
– Kat Hey, Chicago Theater Beat

"It has [Stiles and Drewe's] stamp all over it whilst still creating something completely original."
– BroadwayWorld

"The Three Little Pigs is a frivolous fairytale frolic, full of catchy songs and silly charm."
– The Public Reviews

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Billing

Requirements

You must give the authors/creators billing credits, as specified in the Licence Agreement, in a conspicuous manner on the first page of credits in all programs and on house-boards, displays and in all other advertising announcements of any kind. You agree to supply to the Licensor full details of all such material for Licensor’s approval prior to printing and distribution and supply two (2) copies of the program after printing.
Percentages listed indicate required type size in relation to title size.

 

Stiles & Drewe's
THE THREE LITTLE PIGS
 
Music by GEORGE STILES
Book and Lyrics by ANTHONY DREWE
 
The following credit must be given in all programs for the Play:
'Singapore Repertory Theatre commissioned and staged the original production
in Singapore from 1 March to 15 April 2011'
 
The following credit must be appear in all programs on the title page or the first page after the title page, in equal prominence with the above credit of Singapore Repertory Theatre and where appropriate in websites and other advertising material for the Work.
'The Three Little Pigs was presented at The National Alliance for Musical
Theatre's Festival of New Musicals in 2013 www.namt.org'
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited

Included Materials

ItemQuantity Included
LIBRETTO/VOCAL BOOK10
PERFORMANCE ACCOMPANIMENT CD (STD)1
PIANO VOCAL SCORE2

Production Resources

Resource
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON-10/CS
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON?
SOUND EFFECTS RECORDING-DIGITAL