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Related Photos
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Katelynn Kenworthy as Pinocchio and Sommers Coleman as Gepetto in Gingerbread Players’ ’80s version of the children’s classic ‘Pinocchio’ opening this week.
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Casey Van Nortwick as Mr. Antonio, Claire Kirkpatrick as Mr. Fox, Hannah Moody as Mr. Cat, Morgan Coleman as the High Court Judge, Kenzie Eikenberry of the children’s chorus in Gingerbread Players’ ‘Pinocchio’ opening this week.
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Cassie Geltner as the Blue Fairy, Morgan Jones as Mr. Cricket, Claire Kirkpatrick as Mr. Fox, Hannah Moody as Mr. Cat, Samantha McLendon as the Mysterious Coachman, Blake Allen as Mr. Fire Eater, Christina Gagne as the Circus Ringmaster, Morgan Coleman as the High Court Judge in Gingerbread Players’ ‘Pinocchio’ opening this week.
Discussion
Material Boy
Play gives ‘Pinocchio’ an ’80s twist
VALDOSTA — Pinocchio as Devo? Don Johnson’s Sonny Crockett as Gepetto? One-gloved wonders? Material girls and a blue fairy?
Is this Pinocchio or the 1980s?
As far as Gingerbread Players of Theatre Guild Valdosta is concerned, this show is both.
“Everyone is familiar with the story of Pinocchio, so we decided to do something a little fun and different,” says Lynnette Kenworthy, the show’s director. “It’s the same story. The story hasn’t changed. The setting has changed.”
Lindsay Herring’s set design has an ’80s motif: an arcade, the multi-colored path suggesting a Trivial Pursuit board. This is not a musical version of “Pinocchio,” but the show features music from the ’80s.
“We wanted something for children to enjoy and the parents, too,” says Sandy Trowell, the show’s producer.
With this show’s cast, and most of the backstage workers, featuring only children, one may think that these youngsters are a generation or two too young to know anything about the ’80s. To the surprise of the show’s adult production team, the young cast and crew were more familiar with the music and the people of the ’80s than anyone expected.
They were especially familiar with Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” which choreographer Blake Woodruff has created as a production number within this “Pinocchio.”
Despite these many variations, audiences will find the familiar story of a puppetmaker who wants a son and a puppet who dreams of becoming a real boy, a puppet who gets in trouble and whose nose grows whenever he tells a lie.
The Cast
Katelynn Kenworthy, Sommers Coleman, Cassie Geltner, Morgan Jones, Casey Van Nortwick, Hannah Trowell, Claire Kirkpatrick, Hannah Moody, Samantha McLendon, Blake Allen, Christina Gagne, Morgan Coleman, Kara Nelson, Kimsey Aguero, Haley Aguero, Shelby Joyner, Tanner Morris, Virginia Quinn Mutert, Reagan Allen, Kenzie Eikenberry, Billy McLendon, Campbell Mutert, Austin Griffin-Saunders, Mary Margaret Tarpley, Kaden Walker; Jilli Leonard sings during intermission.
DIRECTION, PRODUCTION: Lynnette Kenworthy, director; Blake Woodruff & Kellie Thomason, assistant directors; Suzanne Leigh Chafin, artistic director; Blake Woodruff, choreographer; Sandy Trowell, producer; Lindsay Herring, scenic designer, scenic painter; Curtis Moody, scenic painter; Lindsay Herring, Sam Trowell, Lynnette Kenworthy, Kellie Thomason, Sarah Allison, Rachel Allen, Donna Gagne, Leah Queen, Justin Coleman, Sommers Coleman, P.T. Candelario, Hannah Trowell, Katelynn Kenworthy, Sandy Trowell, Billy Kirkpatrick, Blake Woodruff, Sue Van Nortwick, Morgan Coleman, Samantha McLendon, Shelby Joyner, Casey Van Nortwick, Tangela Griffin, Claire Kirkpatrick, Billy McLendon, Christy Allen, Beth Joyner, set build; Sarah Allison, & Kellie Thomason, stage managers; Becky Bynum, costume manager; Robin Howe McLendon & Rosemary Coleman, props managers; Ben McLendon, sound design, editing, videographer; P.T. Candelario, sound; Zachary Allen & Sam Trowell, lights; Nikki Nelson, dressing room coordinator; Mary Clare Tarpley, showcase/photography; Sandy Trowell, program; Sandy Trowell & Michelle Kirkpatrick, box office, ticket sales; Sue Van Nortwick & Susan Moody, concessions; Michelle Kirpatrick, ushers chair; Christy Allen, lunch chair; Nikki Nelson & Rachel Allen, cast party co-chairs; Aldine Carter, hair, make-up.
SHOWTIME
Gingerbread Players of Theatre Guild Valdosta presents John Morley’s stage adaptation of “Pinocchio.”
When: Show runs 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday; 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
Where: The Dosta Playhouse, 122 N. Ashley St.
Ticket: $6, general admission.
More information: Call 24-STAGE; or visit www.gingerbreadplayers.com.
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