Youth rehearse a scene from Meridian Little Theatre's upcoming production of "The Real Story of Little Red Riding Hood." In the foreground are Shane Blanton as the wolf, and Lisa Malloy as Red Riding Hood. Standing in the background are Katelyn Robinson, left, as the mother, Katelyn Belcher as the grandmother, and Colton Cooksey as the wood cutter.

    The story of Little Red Riding Hood from the Wolf’s view point will come to life on the stage of Meridian Little Theatre with the Youth Division’s production of “The Real Story of Little Red Riding Hood.”

    The annual production will be staged four times each day Jan. 9-13, for the children of Meridian and surrounding area schools. There will also be performances at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14 and Sunday, Jan. 15 for the general public. Tickets for these shows are $12 for adults and $10 for children.

    The cast features students of all ages from the area schools. The title role of Little Red Riding Hood is played by Lisa Malloy. Canis Rufus — better known as the Wolf — is Shane Blanton. Red Riding Hood’s grandmother is Katelyn Belcher. Katelyn Robinson is Red’s mother and Jackson Palmer is Red’s father. Our Red Riding Hood also has a sister, played by Chloe McKelvaine. The Woodsman is Colton Cooksey. The Stage Manager, a character faced with keeping the other cast members on task, is Nicole Seale.

    As Red Riding Hood is walking though the forest to Grandmother’s house, she encounters many animals. Among these are butterflies portrayed by Caroline Prewitt, Annakatharine Rowland, Aaliyah Singer, Angeline Graham, Annalyssa King, Jordan Scales, Calen Richardson, Gracie Denton, Jesse Claire Miller, Kailynne Gardner, Madison McCary and Nina Hay.

    Skunks she meets  are Nicholas Coleman, Trey Murphy, Madison Carter, Jordan Jones, Joel DeVRies, Brenden Vietti and Milaya Myers.

    Deer encountered are Ashley King, Addison Garrett, Sam Blanton, Conner Shirley, Montana Mimms, Wolfe Wiggins, and Spence Hanegan.

    Rabbits hopping along are Maggie Grace Triplett, Sarah Paige Shirley, Elizabeth Self, Emma Kate Sowell, Anna Catherine Evans, Emma Watson, Elijah Smiley, Liyunn Hilliard and Danyell Myers.

    Canis Rufus — the Wolf — also meets a group of hikers. They are Lillie Grace Langston, Sean Swenson, Shannon Swenson, Summer Swenson, and Stryker Swenson.

    In a surprising encounter in the forest, Red Riding Hood meets Mother Goose and some of her children. These characters are played by Elizabeth Long, Hogan Warlock, Julie Bell, Sydney Stokes, Wyatt Davidson, Kierstin Lay, Owen Smith, Cristina Montealegre, Asalyn Grace Pounders, Hannah Mae Sowell, Kaitlyn Clayton, Emilie Byers, Chloe Jacob, Cameron Jacob and Hannah Cooper.

    Virginia White and Daniel Williams are cast as Make Up Person and Prop Person.

    Woodland Dancers gracing the stage will include Amara Davis, Anna Brown, Farrah Williamson, Jade Matfey, Jasmine Jordan, Isabella Haynes, Kyra Johnson, Mary Beth Hilliard, Name Rahat, Rameen Hashmat and Zion Roberts.

    Tumbling through the forest will be Alice Williamson, Anna Claire Hutchinson, Anniston Godwin, Chloe Godwin, Heidi Warlock, Jalyn Branch, Sophia Denton, Chandler Hogan and Olivia Palmer.

    And, of course, a show with a Big Bad Wolf would not be complete without Big Bad Wolf dancers. Hip-hopping across the stage will be Ashley Walker, Chloe Johnson, Emma Grace Alexander, Emma Grace Johnson, Josie Hanegan, Kennedy Parker, Laterica Thames, Maci Manning, Morgan Hall and Olivia Avera.

    Choreographer for the production is Suzie McCraw. David Benson is the director and music director of  of the show. He is assisted by Carol Sue Wiggins.

    The production is sponsored by Marty and Linda Davidson.

    For additional information, contact the Meridian Little Theatre Box Office at (601)-482-6371 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.