Big Brad Wolf

by Ava Love Hanna

10-MINUTE: The Big Bad Wolf yearns to break free from his scripted life, which confuses the other residents of the enchanted woods. When he attempts to break his family's cycle of cruelty and a pork-heavy diet, he's challenged by a plot-driven pig who insists he revert to his carnivore roots. A play about expectations, tradition, and roasted pig meat.

Published in Smith & Kraus: Best Ten-Minute Plays of 2024...

10-MINUTE: The Big Bad Wolf yearns to break free from his scripted life, which confuses the other residents of the enchanted woods. When he attempts to break his family's cycle of cruelty and a pork-heavy diet, he's challenged by a plot-driven pig who insists he revert to his carnivore roots. A play about expectations, tradition, and roasted pig meat.

Published in Smith & Kraus: Best Ten-Minute Plays of 2024
Published in: 20/20, 20 Short Plays from 20 Years of Out of Ink
Playwrights Round Table Audience Choice: Best Comedy

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Big Brad Wolf

Recommended by

  • Jennifer O'Grady: Big Brad Wolf by Ava Love Hanna
    “

    This excellent twist on a fairytale is so much fun to read and I'm sure would be amazing on stage. Ava Love Hanna has crafted hilarious dialogue and created wonderfully surprising characters while smartly exploring themes of personal change and self-acceptance. I would love to see this performed. I also think we need a sequel for Brad, if there's isn't already one!

    This excellent twist on a fairytale is so much fun to read and I'm sure would be amazing on stage. Ava Love Hanna has crafted hilarious dialogue and created wonderfully surprising characters while smartly exploring themes of personal change and self-acceptance. I would love to see this performed. I also think we need a sequel for Brad, if there's isn't already one!

    ”
  • Claudia Haas: Big Brad Wolf by Ava Love Hanna
    “

    Change is good, right? Giving up bacon is good for your health, right? Fairy tales have truths. Even if you knock them upside down and simmer them in butter - you’ll find a truth. Ava Love Hanna found a whole lot of new truths in this delightful twist of a pig’s tail. Join the fun, read it, produce it and you decide if it needs buttering up. A delight from head to tail.

    Change is good, right? Giving up bacon is good for your health, right? Fairy tales have truths. Even if you knock them upside down and simmer them in butter - you’ll find a truth. Ava Love Hanna found a whole lot of new truths in this delightful twist of a pig’s tail. Join the fun, read it, produce it and you decide if it needs buttering up. A delight from head to tail.

    ”
  • Mark Harvey Levine: Big Brad Wolf by Ava Love Hanna
    “

    I love the title, and I love plays that take familiar tales and turn them on their head. I got to see this at Madlab Theatre Roulette 2023, where it got lots of laughs. My favorite line is when the Little Pig describes her smokey flavor. I also loved the Little Red Riding Hood character, who is not as sweet and innocent as she is usually portrayed. I'm a big fan of Ava Love Hanna (and roasted pig meat) so I enjoyed this play immensely.

    I love the title, and I love plays that take familiar tales and turn them on their head. I got to see this at Madlab Theatre Roulette 2023, where it got lots of laughs. My favorite line is when the Little Pig describes her smokey flavor. I also loved the Little Red Riding Hood character, who is not as sweet and innocent as she is usually portrayed. I'm a big fan of Ava Love Hanna (and roasted pig meat) so I enjoyed this play immensely.

    ”
View all 8 recommendations

Character Information

  • Wolf
    Calm, deep and new-agey, struggling to break free of old patterns.
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Pig
    Energetic, whimsical, pushy
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Red
    Bossy, abrasive, intimidating
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman
  • Joey
    Clueless, speaks with a thick New Jersey accent.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man

Development History

  • Reading, ScriptWorks, 2017

Production History

  • High School, Rancho Alamitos High School, Feb 2026
  • University, Dallas College, 2025
  • Community Theater, Wow! Here Comes the Theatre, 2023
  • Professional, MadLab - Theatre Roulette, 2023
  • Professional, Playwrights Round Table, 2020
  • Professional, ScriptWorks - 20th Anniversary Celebration - Ground Floor Theatre, 2018
  • Professional, ScriptWorks - Out of Ink Showcase - Hyde Park Theatre, 2018

Awards

  • Best Ten-Minute Plays of 2024
    Smith & Kraus
    Selection
    2024
  • Publication: Out of Ink: Lost and Found Anthology
    ScriptWorks
    Selection
    2018
  • Publication: 20/20, 20 Short Plays from 20 Years of Out of Ink
    ScriptWorks
    Selection
    2018
  • Best Comedy
    Playwrights Round Table
    Audience Choice
    2020