Running Rabbit Family Theatre Presents PINOCCHIO 7/22

Running Rabbit Family Theatre (Montclair, NJ) presents the beloved children's classic Pinocchio in the exciting musical rendition by Patricia Goldberg and Kevin Arruda. Running Rabbit Family Theatre's production will be playing at Monmouth University's Pollak Theatre, West Long Branch NJ on Thursday, July 22nd at 10:30 am.

Directed and Choreographed by Patrick Starega, Pinocchio is the story of a wooden puppet that is magically given the gift of animation by a loving Blue Fairy. Geppetto, the puppet maker sends Pinocchio out into the world with hopes that he will learn to become a real boy. On the puppet's fantastic journey, he encounters the wily team of a cat and a fox and an evil puppeteer who seeks to exploit Pinocchio's unusual talent by capturing him. Coaxed into an amazing trip to a candy island and then to the belly of a whale, Pinocchio's adventure is sure to dazzle and delight audiences of all ages.

"This is the classic tale told with a wicked sense of humor," says Starega. "It's as much fun for the adults-if not more-as it is for our young audiences!"

Kerri McNeil makes her Running Rabbit debut as Pinocchio. Kerri, a musical theatre student at Wagner College is active in theatres throughout central New Jersey and has been seen in Kids Forum productions of The Wizard of Oz and Charlotte's Web. Jude Madigan will portray the loveable Geppetto. Jude has been seen on New York and regional stages across the country. His favorite roles include Pseudolus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Stride in Jekyll and Hyde and Little Mary Sunshine in Chicago.

Corey Whelihan is Fortunato Fox. Corey is a recent graduate of Ithaca College's theatre program in acting. He has been performing since he was a toddler, with Yates Musical Theatre, 12 Miles West, Running Rabbit and numerous high school and college performances, playing such parts as the title role in Tartuffe and Father in Eurydice.

Katrina T. Cat is played by Jacqueline Nuzzo (also a theatre student at Wagner). With Running Rabbit, Jackie performed the role of Little Red Riding Hood in Into the Woods and most recently appeared as Janet in The Rocky Horror Show at Wagner.

Candito the puppeteer/ Petrisi the coachman is portrayed by Paul Edwards. Paul has been seen as a Rabbit, a Fox, a Goose, a Salesman and a Woodsman, among others, in theatre for young audiences. He is a founding member of Lunatic Fringe, a long-established NJ improvisational group and soon will be seen in the comedy extravaganza Two Big Guys from Jersey. Howard Whitmore, The Blue Fairy, is an actor, director and theatre teacher with extensive experience throughout the State. For Running Rabbit, he originated the role of Baby Bear in Paul Whelihan's Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

Musical Direction is provided by James Campodonico, an accredited and acclaimed musician and composer, who has worked on numerous productions with NJ theatres such as Montclair's The Whole Theatre and Luna Stage and Millburn's Paper Mill Playhouse. James has been teaching music for forty-three years privately and in public school settings. The Star-Ledger honored James's composition for Between the Lines, and Murder on Broadway was recently presented at York Theatre in New York City.

Pinocchio is recommended for children ages 2 and up. Cast members meet and greet the children after each performance. General admission tickets are $10 students and $12 adults with group rates available. Camps, school groups, day-care centers, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops as well as other organizations are encouraged to book early for best availability. For ticket reservations and further information call the Box Office at 732-263-6889 or visit www.monmouth.edu .

Running Rabbit Family Theatre is a professional, not-for-profit arts organization, and as an associate member of the NJ Theatre Alliance, the State's coalition of professional theatres, is funded in part by the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, The New Jersey State Council on the Arts / a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and are supported by the Montclair Art Museum, Sound Associates, Custom Information Images, On Cue Costumes and numerous businesses and individuals. RRFT performs in fully accessible facilities. RRFT will provide assistive services such as sign-interpretation, assistive listening devices, advanced copies of scripts, pre- or post-show theatre tours and large print programs upon request.

RUNNING RABBIT FAMILY THEATRE www.RRFamilyTheatre.org

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