Pinocchio coming to Grace Tipling Hall

Written By MARNI WALSH

Once again LP Stage Productions is getting set to deliver a heart-warming production at Grace Tipling Hall just in time for Christmas. Disney's My Son Pinocchio Jr. is the classic tale of a toymaker's little wooden puppet coming to life. However, director Alison Port says, “The story differs from the movie, because this version is about Geppetto's journey beyond the toy shop to discover the true meaning of family.”

The director says part of the appeal of the show, for LP Stage Productions, is the number of roles available for the kids, which, in this cast, range in age from 7- 15 years old. “Everyone's character has a name in this one,” she says.

The music also had great appeal for the company. “Apart from the famous Disney theme song, “When You Wish Upon a Star” and “I've Got No Strings,” the rest of the music is written by Stephen Schwartz, the composer for Godspell, Pippin, and Wicked,” says Alison Port. Kristen Gamache will be taking on the dual roles of choreographer and musical director for the show.

Ms. Port also says the show is “well written” and appealing to families. “When the Blue Fairy grants Geppetto's wish to bring the puppet to life,” she says, “the new father quickly learns that being a parent is full of challenges. He struggles to make his son the perfect boy, only to lose him to a gang of roustabouts. It is only when faced with the thought of never seeing his son again, that Geppetto truly learns the joy of being a father and loving his child unconditionally.”

The LP Stage production team is keeping the set simple to accommodate the journey that father Geppetto and Pinocchio embark upon. Dale Lundy and Jason Riedel are building backdrops, set pieces and marionette gear. Alison Port says the audience will enjoy the marionettes, which will be played by the Payne twins, Emily and Charlotte.

“We had the option of using puppets for the marionette scene,” Ms. Port says, “but we chose to use real kids, so it will be a very interesting visual effect.” The designers have also built rotating set pieces, and are taking on the challenge of creating the inside of the great whale where Pinocchio and Geppetto reunite. Ms. Port says lighting will be a part of the theatrical illusion for some of these “tricky scenes.” As an audience member, it is always fascinating to see the creative solutions set designer Dale Lundy brings to life.

Thematically, Ms. Port says, “The message is that being a parent doesn't come with rules, so it's not easy to know what you're doing all the time. Listening to each other, and accepting each other despite differences and opinions, as well as just be kind and loving unconditionally is one of the themes behind the story.        

Show dates for My Son Pinocchio Jr. are November 23rd to December 2nd at Grace Tipling Hall at the corner of Main and Victoria Streets in Shelburne. Ticket prices are $18.00 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. Call the box office at 519-925-2600, ext.0, or order on line at Eventbrite. Cash only tickets will be available at door for shows that are not sold out.