Fairy tales have long taught us who to fear and who to admire: the innocent girl in red, the noble huntsman, the wicked queen and the big bad wolf. Through this year’s Upper School dance production, “The Misunderstood Wolf” asks the audience to look closer—at stories, at characters, at themselves—to discover how perspectives shape every tale. It reimagines the stories we all grew up with: “The Little Red Riding Hood,” “Snow White,” “The Three Little Pigs” and “The Boy Who Cried Wolf,” to reveal that the big bad wolf may not be so bad after all.

It was performed in a total of four shows from Nov. 20 to 23, unfolding in the auditorium as a lively re-creation of these familiar tales. Invited in rather than chased away, the Wolf forms an unlikely friendship with Snow White, who is the first person to not judge him based on assumptions. Through their friendship, the Wolf learns to have fun and discovers what it’s like to be human. Later, Snow White accompanies him to visit the three Pigs, and unlike the original tale, the Pigs’ houses fall because of mishaps rather than the Wolf’s destructive intent. In the end, as the Queen and her Huntsman continue to chase Snow White, the Wolf proves himself to be a loyal friend to her amidst their chaotic adventures, overturning centuries-old myths of his cruelty.

“The Wolf is just really clumsy, which tends to force it into awkward situations,” said Megan S. (‘26), who played the Wolf. Reflecting on how the show’s theme of being misunderstood shaped her role, she described her character as a “sweet guy, a golden retriever.”

Behind this inventive retelling are co-directors Ms. Lagerquist and Ms. Ing, who sought to step away from the typical princess narrative and produce something that offered more creative freedom and fewer expectations—especially after last year’s “The Little Mermaid” and this season’s “Legally Blonde.” The story had been brewing for several years before taking shape last spring, when they created and mapped out scenes, matched songs to each scene and envisioned how each fairy tale would weave into the next.

Dozens of dancers brought the story to life, utilizing a blend of jazz, contemporary and hip-hop in choreography to reflect both the personalities of the characters and the emotions of each scene. The Pigs’ segments burst with various kinds of jazz and street styles, differing based on each pig’s disposition, while the Queen’s and Huntsman’s scenes are dark and intense, conveying their power and malicious intent. With each piece choreographed by different teachers, a range of styles and interpretations coexist to keep the audience engaged and appeal to different tastes. 

“I like learning new dances and how the story is told through them,” said Clara P. (‘28), who played the Queen. “It’s really different from what we usually do in class…these dances feel more like I’m the character and telling the story through dance.”

Through the Wolf’s story, the production becomes more than a retelling; it’s a reflection of how easily perception can distort the truth. It invites the audience to pause before making assumptions based on appearances—not only about fairy-tale characters but also the people around them. What begins in fantasy unfolds into something deeply human: the compassion to understand rather than judge.

At its core, “The Misunderstood Wolf” carries a message of empathy and perspective: not to judge a book by its cover. “But a part of not judging a book by its cover is also not listening to everything other people tell you,” Ms. Ing said. “Don’t judge someone based on what you hear — give them a chance, give them time and room. You never know what can happen.”