“Tall Tale of a Wolfman,” a play by Ben Ribler making its world premiere at District Fringe 2026, cleverly updates the ancient fable “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” for the era of fake news and media sensationalism.

…a unique look at a very modern issue through the lens of a very old children’s story.

Ribler, who as an actor has appeared in both youth and adult productions, understands the cadences of theatre for young audiences and does a fine job of pacing out his simple story. When honest town crier Samuel Oyez (played with charm and sympathy by regional veteran Thomas Howley) suddenly faces competition from less scrupulous upstart Lexy Extry (sly and expressive Maria Wraback), the two embark on a race to the bottom where truth is the first casualty.

Caught in the middle of their scaremongering is Mia Anderson, a vivacious and imaginative young girl who has her own tendency to embellish the truth to make a story more exciting. In a reversal of Aesop’s original, it’s this child who ends up calling out the adults on their lies about the existence of a sometimes-heard, never-seen wolfman who has put their town in peril.

Hannah Taylor, who plays Mia, is the standout among director Youri Kim’s solid cast. Taylor is a recent college graduate but truly embodies the energetic grade schooler in both attitude and appearance. (Her costuming by Charlie Van Kirk helps.) Taylor already has a lengthy resume of both professional and amateur roles in the DC area, and she brings expert ability to her sincere portrayal of a precocious youngster.

The only failing in Ribler’s script is the attempt to explore two issues, both important but somewhat at odds here. The more successful thread is about how even honest journalists can get caught up in sensationalism when their livelihoods are on the line, and how easy it is to sell fear. Ribler’s effort to also explore what it is like to be scared as a child does not work as well, since there is not actually anything to be afraid of.

At one point in the play, Mia’s mother (played by Amanda Komar) reassures Mia by telling her that she had seen a werewolf as a child, as had Mia’s grandmother in her own time. This dialogue was confusing, since the main thrust of the story was about the werewolf not being real. This twist was never returned to, and muddied, Ribler’s overall successful script.

“Tall Tale of a Wolfman” takes a unique look at a very modern issue through the lens of a very old children’s story. Both adults and children will find much to enjoy in it.

“The H Twins” has a remaining performances on July 25, 2026 at Phoenix-UDC Mainstage Venue, 3305-3365 Van Ness Street NW (University of the District of Columbia), Washington 20008. For more information and to purchase tickets, please go online. For more information and to purchase tickets for District Fringe 2026, which runs through July 26, 2026, please go online.

Peter Orvetti is a professional writer and editor who resides in Washington, D.C. He has been performing on stage since 2012 and reviewing shows since 2017.