SYNOPSIS

Jack has a problem. He’s successfully grown an enormous beanstalk, scaled to the top, and stolen a golden harp and gold-laying goose from the sleeping giant. However, the giant has now awoken and Jack has scurried back down the beanstalk in the hopes of chopping it down before the giant can catch him. Jack could possibly even make a clean escape if only the Little Red Hen would quit harping on and on about all the lazy animals who refuse to help her with her wheat.

As the hungry giant catches up to Jack, Jack is forced to find ways to divert the giant’s attention in order to avoid becoming an afternoon snack. When he is unable to find a suitable hiding place, Jack convinces the giant that a good story or two would be the perfect way to begin a meal. 

And so it happens that Jack begins telling his own versions of some very familiar stories. With each tale the giant becomes more and more dissatisfied, and Jack becomes more and more determined to make it up to the giant by spinning a new yarn.

The giant (and the audience as well) is treated to some new treatments of some old favorites, such as a tortoise racing a hair-growing hare, Cinderumplestiltskin, Little Red Running Shorts, and a couple of princesses who kiss frogs and sleep on peas. Jack must not only tell tales as fast as he can for as long as he can to avoid being eaten, but he must also overcome the disturbances caused by that pesky, bread-obsessed Red Hen and a very smelly hero made of cheese.

The Stinky Cheese Man & Other Fairly Stupid Tales, both as a book and stage play, shares with its audience the joys of making stories your own and creating new possibilities for the familiar.

GRIFFIN THEATRE COMPANY

Mission

The mission of the Griffin Theatre Company is to create extraordinary and meaningful theatrical experiences for both children and adults by building bridges of understanding between generations that instill in its audience an appreciation of the performing arts. The Griffin achieves this mission and vision through artistic collaboration, produces literary adaptations, original work and classic plays that challenge and inspire, with wit, style and compassion for the audience. The company is supported by an ensemble of Artist in Residence with a range of disciplines include acting, designing, directing and production. 

History

The Griffin Theatre Company originated in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood in a factory loft the company renovated. In July 1992, the Griffin relocated to Andersonville and renovated the historic Calo Theater. 

Five years ago the Griffin vacated its space in Andersonville after thirteen years and is completing its negotiations on its agreement with the city of Chicago to purchase an abandon police station in the Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago. The Griffin plans to renovate and transform the building into a state of the art theatre facility that will become its permanent home. 

Over the last twenty-two years the Griffin has provided a wide range of work including world and mid-west premieres of acclaimed scripts, critically lauded productions of Shakespeare and original adaptations of novels. Many of the Griffin’s 100 plus productions have appeared on Chicago area critics “Best of the Year” lists. 

Children’s programming at the Griffin brings young people original productions of award-winning children’s literature. Productions over the last 20 years have included the world premieres of The Whipping Boy, Sleeping Ugly, Frindle, Catherine Called Birdy, Romeo and Juliet are Alive and Well and Living in Maple Bend, There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom and The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales. 

The Griffin’s national touring company brings its two most popular productions—The Stinky Cheese Man & Other Fairly Stupid Tales and Frindle to young people throughout the United States each year. Last year the Griffin Theatre had the pleasure to perform its touring productions for over 100,000 young people and adults.