Fairy tale magic unfurls at Onstage in Greenbelt 1 as “Pinocchio,” the loveable puppet known the world over, goes on adventures that take him through trials and temptations and finally to the fulfillment of a father’s dream.
Told through clever and catchy songs, “Pinocchio” is about the adventures of a boy learning from life. It is also a story of love between a father and a son.
Six young and passionate actors (including two girls) lead the cast: Noel Comia, Sandee Achacoso, Albert Silos, Guido Gatmaitan, Daniel Drilon and Sofie Wong. They were specially trained by Baby Barredo.
Supporting them are the stalwarts of Rep’s Theater for Young Audiences (RTYA): Oliver Usison, Liesl Batucan, Cara Barredo, James Stacey, Nic Campos, Naths Everett, Christine Flores, Bito Aguilos and Arnel Carrion.
Also in the cast is Rep veteran Miguel Faustmann, who joins RTYA for the first time.
“Pinocchio” is a musical adaptation written by Jim Eiler and Jeanne Bargy, based on the children’s novel “The Adventures of Pinocchio” (1883), by Italian writer Carlo Collodi.
It is about a little wooden puppet carved by a puppet maker, Gepetto (Miguel Faustmann, Oliver Usison, Nic Campos), who, through the kindness of the Blue Fairy (Liesl Batucan, Christine Flores, Cara Barredo), becomes an “almost real boy” who can talk, sing and dance; but he must prove himself before he can become a “real boy.”
The audience will be treated to a kaleidoscope of colors in a set designed by London-based Oliver Roxas-Green and executed by Adul Lasin, with costumes designed for the 2004 production by Liz Batoctoy and executed by Reggie Reonal.
Lighting is by John Batalla and musical arrangements by Jay Pangilinan. Choreography is by the Martinez sisters, Cecile, Lisa and Tin.
Like all RTYA productions, “Pinocchio” is interactive, with the audience being led to participate by skillful and experienced actors Arnel Carrion, James Stacey and Nic Campos, who play the part of Antonio, the narrator and friend of Geppetto.
Director Joy Virata likes to quote Lauren Gunderson, who wrote in an article in the Huffington Post, “How Theater for Children Can Change the World”:
“If you take a child to the theater, not only will they practice empathy, they might also laugh uproariously, or come home singing about science, or want to know more about history, or tell you what happened at school today, or spend all dinner discussing music, or learn how to handle conflict, or start becoming future patrons of the arts.”
She urges parents and teachers to take their children to the theater.
“Pinocchio” opens Aug. 16 at 10:30 a.m. It will run until Dec. 12.
Tickets are available at TicketWorld, tel. 8910999, www.ticketworld.com.ph, or at the Rep office, 8433570 (called in reservations are accepted).