Theater for young audiences’ `Hey Ho Pinocchio’
“Hey Ho Pinocchio! Tell a tale and your nose will grow,” warns the Blue Fairy in Theater For Young Audiences’ free summer parks and playgrounds touring show, “Hey Ho Pinocchio.” This family musical is based on the famous tale by Carlos Collodi.
The story is about Pinocchio (Lily Fredrich), a puppet owned by Gepetta (Leslie Nallin). Gepetta, who longs for a child, lives alone with three kittens, Muff (Lexie Timm), Fluff (Chelsea McNellis) and Puff (Carly Jennerman). The Blue Fairy (Samantha Broghammer) brings Pinocchio to life and enlists two friends, Crick (Shelby Nallin) and Cricky (Amanda Hoffman) to keep Pinocchio out of mischief.
On the first day of school, Pinocchio is kidnapped by the Puppetmaster (Anna Ziegelbauer) who owns a troupe of dancing puppets (Maddeline Andrews, Julia Heim, and Derek Post). After making an escape, Pinocchio meets the Cat (Hannah Anhalt), the Rat (Mimi Viglietti) and the Fox (Lexie Fortin) who try to outsmart Pinocchio.
Pinocchio returns home only to run away with Randy (Caleb Holzman), Ricky (Carly Lilek), and Rudy (Emily Tipton) to Happy Land, where owner Sharpe (Kelsi Engelhardt) turns all bad kids into donkey slaves. Pinocchio escapes into the ocean and is reunited with Gepetta inside a whale.
The Blue Fairy helps them return home. Pinocchio becomes a real child after learning that love is the greatest magic of all.
The production is staged by Danielle Dyksterhouse and Cassidy Steinke.
The music director and accompanist is Matt Mattysik. The choreographers are Ariannah Albrecht and Stephanie Gibson. The set and whale puppet are designed by Mackenzie Birkey. Costumes are designed by Atheana Albrecht and Lily Hart. Directors-in-training are Samantha Broghammer and Lily Hart. The choreography assistant is Tanner Moenning.
The set and puppet crew is Ariannah Albrecht, Amy and Mackenzie Birkey, Samantha Broghammer, Barb, Erik and Rhys Frechette, Lily Hart, Tanner Moenning, Aaron, Cole, Leslie and Shelby Nallin, Emil Sabol, Valerie Singer, Mimi and Whitney Viglietti, and Gary Witt.
Bring the lawn chairs and bug spray for this 45-minute musical featuring six song and dance numbers. Free performances will be given at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, at Pigeon River School; Tuesday, Aug. 11, at the Plymouth Arts Center; Wednesday, Aug. 12, at Longfellow School; and Thursday, Aug. 13, at Cedar Grove City Park. In the event of rain, the performance will move indoors.
Persons with questions may contact Theater For Young Audiences at tya@bytehead.com or 458-8184.
