Pinocchio full of musical surprises

At some point, every parent likely pulls out Carlo Collodi’s Adventures of Pinocchio to discourage their child from telling lies or fabricating stories.

Since it first appeared in 1883, it has received numerous adaptations as the story of a wooden puppet that longs to be a real boy.

Farren Timoteo, artistic director of Alberta Opera Musical Theatre for Young People is always searching for ways to create a new twist on old classics. Pinocchio, playing at the Morinville Community Cultural Centre on Friday, was the perfect plum.

“I read it for months and months. It’s not always simple taking a story off the page and putting it into a theatrical context,” Timoteo says.

He made a number of changes, such as changing the father-son mentality. Geppetto now has a real son, Vincenzo who is believed to be lost. When he makes a wish for his son, Pinocchio arrives instead and Geppetto rejects him. Pinocchio, seeing Geppetto’s grief, goes on an adventure to find the son and reunite the family.

Along the way Pinocchio meets con men, is sent to prison, escapes and lands in an underwater world. Thinking he is safe, Pinocchio is instead swallowed by Squalo, the great white shark.

St. Albert’s own Madelaine Knight landed the role of Pinocchio at the beginning of the season.

“Our Pinocchio is a good guy. Traditionally he’s played as a brat and known as a liar. But our Pinocchio is trying to do a good thing. He is a very honest, very positive and a very enthusiastic character,” Knight says.

“He learns that there is good and bad. Not everybody is his best friend and they may not have your best interests in mind.”

Alberta Opera functions as an educational production company that tours schools and small community theatres. This year Knight, along with Bryon Martin and Christopher Scott, estimates she’s performed the musical about 210 times.

“It’s such a fun show you don’t get tired of it. We’ve done some tweaking and added a bit more butt shaking, but it’s pretty much the same show.”

The three-hander that moves at a lightning pace is vocally and physically challenging. Knight sings two solos – I’m Your Wish Come True and Family Tree – but it’s the rousing gospel-fuelled Field of Dreams that is her favourite.

“The big focus is the community and importance of family. The whole point is to reunite father and son and there’s lots of mending along the way.”

And although we might think we know Pinocchio, Knight believes this altruistic spin paints a fresh outlook.

“It’s a traditional story, but you are in for a few happy surprises.”