Cortland Rep Youth Program to Present PINOCCHIO This Month

The Cortland Repertory Theatre Youth Program offers four performances of a new adaptation of the classic children's story "Pinocchio" for all ages. This production was written by local playwright Kim L. Hubbard based on Carlo Collodi's story, and is directed by Mark Reynolds.

Performances are offered on July 14, 16, 22 and 23 all at 10:00 AM. Tickets are $7.00 per person and may be purchased by calling 800-427-6160 or at the CRT Box Office at 24 Port Watson Street in Cortland. Tickets are also available for sale 24 hours a day through the CRT website at www.cortlandrep.org. Seating is general admission.

In this funny and highly entertaining re-telling of the classic Italian tale, lonely Gepetto the woodcarver longs to have a son to whom he can pass on his knowledge of woodcarving and artistry. He creates a wooden puppet but alas, a piece of wood just doesn't provide much in the way of conversation. A friendly cricket named Julietta overhears Gepetto and convinces the magical Blue Fairy (who helps even though she is suffering from a head cold) to bring the puppet to life. Gepetto happily names the puppet Pinocchio. He is still made of wood, however, and longs to be a real boy for his father, but the Blue Fairy informs him that he must earn the right. Pinocchio sets out on his own (though under the watchful eye of his cricket friend), but when he falls into the clutches of a conniving Red Fox and sneaky White Cat, he is led to many predicaments and life lessons before he is able to learn what it means to become a loving son. While aimed for young Audience members in the Kindergarten thru 5th grade age range, our children's' theatre productions are great fun for the whole family, from 5 - 105 years old!

The cast of "Pinocchio" is comprised of five CRT performing interns, including Richard Westfahl as Pinocchio, Erica Nicole Rothman as Julietta Cricket, Caroline Kane as The Blue Fairy, Michael Ivan Carrier as Gepetto, and Giovanni Da Silva as the Fox. Local talent Bailey Kote will perform the role of the Cat. Julianne Graffeo serves as Stage Manager for this production with Ola Kraszpulska creating the Scenic Design, Jimmy Johansmeyer serves as Costume Designer and CRT Master Electrician Louis Kreienkamp creating the lighting design. Other technical work is provided by Joe Dotts as Props Designer, Seth Asa Sengel as Sound Designer, and Dana White Jr. as Technical Director.

Call 800-427-6160 or visit cortlandrep.org for more information.