IMAGINATIVE and FUNNY!
That’s what I thought after seeing Pinocchio last night with my kids at the Children’s Theatre Company. It’s running now through August 14th, and I’m excited to share a discount and ticket giveaway with you!
My Review
First of all, a little background info on this telling of the Pinocchio story. The story is played out in its entirety by 5 actors. And the actors are playing painters/workers wanting to entertain you, the audience, by acting out the whole show themselves. On a stage with nothing but scaffolding, tools and the like, they interact with the audience throughout the production and get everyone excited, engaged and laughing right at the beginning.
My favorite CTC actor, Dean Holt, was the lead worker who played a variety of characters – the funniest of which was an awkward fairy, wearing a blue, mop wig and dangling from a rope. Elise Langer, another experienced local actor (originally from Paris, France!), played Pinocchio. Her character was innocent, curious and asked a lot of questions, sometimes outsmarting his foes without even trying to. She came out into the audience a couple of times, climbing through rows of families as she engaged with them.
Reed Sigmund, who played characters like Geppetto and the Fox, while Joy Dolo played out characters like the clueless Cat, sidekick to the Fox. Both Sigmund and Dolo were natural comedians who amused as well as entertained.
Finally, Victor Zupanc was the fifth actor who actually supplied all of the show’s musical accompaniment. As a musician myself, I was wowed by his incredible talent with multiple instruments – accordian, guitar, violin, harmonica, drum. I’m not sure if he was creating the music as he went along but I wouldn’t be surprised if that was the case – all his music flowed so naturally with the production and was done masterfully. CTC is fortunate to have Victor and all the rest of the performers of Pinocchio.
Bringing the Kids?
My 8-year-old loved the show and laughed throughout. My pre-Kindergarten 5-year-old was engaged and laughing at the beginning, but by midway through was restless and no longer engaged. The show is recommended for kindergarten age and up, and I agree. Preschoolers will enjoy some of the show’s humor and action but won’t understand a lot of what’s happening, like mine. However, parents, you know your kids best. The nice thing about Children’s Theatre Company is that there’s a Quiet Room for restless kids.
Discount
Get $20 flat-rate tickets for Pinocchio through this SPECIAL LINK. Learn more about the show on the CTC website!
Giveaway
Enter to win 4 tickets to any Pinocchio performance through August 14th! Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below by Wednesday, July 20th at 11:00pm. Winner will be chosen and notified on Thursday, July 21st. Good luck!