Bergen County Players' PINOCCHIO Begins Tonight

The Bergen County Players (BCP), the 2015 NJACT Community Theatre of the Year, continues its 83rd season with its annual family show, PINOCCHIO, a beloved tale of a wooden puppet who wants to become a real boy, a classic story that will delight young and old alike. Under the direction of Terri Caust and musical direction by Steve Bell, PINOCCHIO will be performed at the Little Firehouse Theatre in Oradell from tonight, November 28th through December 20th.

With 5 shows a weekend (Fridays at 7:30 pm and Saturdays & Sundays at 1 pm & 3:30 pm), there are many opportunities to enjoy this entertaining classic. Tickets can be purchased online at www.bcplayers.org, by calling 201-261-4200 or by visiting the box office at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell during regular box office hours.

Set in Italy, the Prince Street Players version of this time-honored story will enthrall youngsters between the ages of 3 and 12, along with their parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins (and even
non-relatives!). Pinocchio (played by ViVi Aiello of Hillsdale) is a boy-sized puppet built by the caring puppet maker, Geppetto, (played by Bill Powers of Clifton) and is brought to life by the Blue Fairy (played by Katie Lupfer of Tenafly) as a reward for Geppetto's remarkably generous spirit. After singing and dancing his way through many adventures, Pinocchio learns that no love is greater than that of a parent for a child. And after the show, all of the characters will be available for autographs and pictures!

PINOCCHIO is directed by Terri Caust of Glen Rock, a BCP life member whose past directorial credits at the BCP include "Communicating Doors" and "Cinderella".

The wonderful cast consists of ViVi Aiello as Pinocchio (Hillsdale), Bill Powers as Geppetto (Clifton), Rob Kopil as Antonio (Suffern, NY), Edie Orlando as Candlewick (Hillsdale), Randi Kestin as Gino (Fair Lawn), Katie Lupfer as the Blue Fairy (Tenafly), Leslie Cohn (Randolph) as Angelina, Daniel Reid as the Coachman (Emerson), Bridget Duffy as Signore Volpone (Haworth), Rosella DeVincenzo as Signore Gatto (Oradell) and Ricahrd Ciero (Oradell), Katie D'Ambrosio (New Milford), Iris Levinsohn (Oradell), Sienna Orlando (Hillsdale), Rebecca Peisach (Fair Lawn), and Gina Duffy (Haworth) as the Townspeople.

Production team members include Terri Caust, (Director), Steve Bell (Musical Director), Ron Siclari (Producer), Paul Reitnauer III (Stage Manager), Andrea Pieper (Assistant to the Director), Ron Drobes (Set Design), Lauren Zenreich (Décor), Messalina Morley (Choreographer), Peter Colletto (Lighting Design), Julie Steckler-Kopil (Lighting Operator), Neil Kahn (Sound Designer), Matthew Blum (Sound Operator), Ruth Morley (Costumes), Bridget Duffy (Makeup), Edie Orlando (Makeup), Pat Bain (Properties Design), Gloria Bumbaco (Properties/Crew), Alan Zenreich (Photography), Steve Mintz (Photography), Randi Kestin (Social Media) and Jennifer Cottone (Publicity/Website).

All performances of PINOCCHIO take place at The Little Firehouse Theatre at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell, home to the Bergen County Players since 1949. Performance times are Fridays at 7:30 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 1pm & 3:30 pm.

Tickets for PINOCCHIO are $14 for all performances, and can be purchased online at www.bcplayers.org, by calling 201-261-4200 or by visiting the box office at 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell during regular box office hours. Visa, Master Card, and American Express are accepted. Those interested in Group Sales of 20 or more tickets can call (201) 261-4200, x6.

All patrons entering the theatre, including infants and small children, must have a ticket, even if the child shares a seat with a parent. A limited number of booster seats are available upon request and are provided at no charge.

Parking is free at the Park Avenue municipal lot, across the street, one-half block north of the theater.

The Bergen County Players has grown tremendously from its roots as a small community theater when it was founded in 1932; today, nearly 300 volunteer members, working on and off stage, make possible the nine productions presented each season. Further information, visit www.bcplayers.org.

Pictured: Bill Powers (standing) and ViVi Aiello. Photo by Alan Zenreich (2015).

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