Wolf is the victim in this ‘Three Little Pigs' tale

The Magic Theatre production of "The Surprisingly True Story of The Three Little Pigs" is a different take on the classic story, but with many of the same characters.

"What I feel the underlying message of the play is: Fairness, friendship and equality," said Betsy Johnson, who wrote the play and is directing it with her 17-year-old daughter, Sydney.

"I think that it's important for families to give the message that things aren't always what they seem," said Johnson, who has been with The Acting Company for eight years. "You have to take the time to come up with your own judgment and not just judge based on what everyone says."

In this production, which will be staged with 12 actors at The Acting Company, the wolf is the victim and the pigs are the villains. One of the three pigs, who is very harsh and judging toward the wolf, has an epiphany and decides to take a chance and get to know the wolf.

"In a time of awareness about bullying, ignorance and hate crimes. It will be a great lesson for families to continue talking about," Johnson said.

"I met my husband back in 1990 when we were both in the Air Force serving at Beale," Johnson said about the inspiration for the story. "Prior to the Air Force, he had been a pig farmer in North Dakota.

He told me about three pigs he raised and the story started from there." That family story grew into "The Surprisingly True Story of the Three Little Pigs."

"This version has an ending that perhaps you had never thought of, but makes total sense," Johnson said.