‘True Story’s’ Fun-Filled Search for Justice

If you’ve read “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs” by Jon Scieszka, you know who the real victim was in that tale: the big bad wolf, who just wanted to borrow a cup of sugar to make a cake for his dear old granny, and who just happened to have a bad cold. . . .

Now kids and parents can sit on the jury as the wolf has his day in court in the Serendipity Theatre Company’s comic adaptation of Scieszka’s book at the Burbank Little Theatre.

Cleverly staged by Denys Gawronski and Katy Realista, the story, adapted by J.D. Jordan, opens with a videotaped media circus spoof shown on two TV screens. Hosted by celebrity reporter Opig Winfrey, the “broadcast” hypes the disappearance of two of the three Pig brothers and the destruction of their homes, complete with interviews with the wolf’s neighbors (“he always kept to himself”) and family members (“he was such a good boy”).

The report’s hilarious re-creation of the alleged crime clearly shows that Alexander T. Wolf (Mark Conley) has been tried and convicted in the media. When the report ends, the trial--and the live play--begins, performed by members of Serendipity’s Youth Ensemble and adult professional actor Conley.

Conley’s Urkel-flavored nerdiness is a kick as the wolf copes with blustering lawyer Porkbelly (Thomas Odell), stern Judge Swineburn (Karen Hughes), a hungry bailiff (Nic Cowan), expert witness Dr. Sowsnout (Maura Murphy-Barrosse, who’s also reporter Randy Trotter) and the smug third little pig and gluttonous Officer Bland (both played by Jennifer Dohn).

When the wolf finally has his say, it’s up to the audience to decide his guilt or innocence--although his sentence will be somewhat affected by another most inopportune sneeze.

Except for pauses that are too lengthy in some of the dialogue, the cast does a fine job. Cowan’s cartoonish set design and Ellen T. Rooney’s lights complement the fun.

* “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs,” Burbank Little Theatre, George Izay Park, 1100 W. Clark St., today, 1 p.m.; Sunday, 1 and 4 p.m., through May 19. $8 (ages 17 and under) to $14. For ages 5 and up. (818) 557-0505. Running time: 1 hour.