The classic story of a marionette that comes to life and finds mischief with animal friends and foes will be brought to life on stage this weekend and next.
The Children’s Theatre Company will present “Pinocchio” Jan. 16 and 23 at the Kindig Performing Arts Center of South Suburban College in South Holland.
The hourlong production by resident playwright Michele Vacca, based on the original 1880s novel “The Adventures of Pinocchio” by Carlo Collodi, features a video sequence for the whale, a huge clown fish that swims across the stage and movable set pieces.
“Geppetto’s house, for instance, will spin around to be another piece, the Great Marionette Theater,” said Ellie Shunko, founder and director of the Children’s Theatre Company, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2017, and manager of the center, which is also home to also the PAC Rats Theatre Company and the SSC Playhouse.
“I like the set pieces to be movable because it’s more important the kids use their imagination to fill in the blanks,” she said. “Yes, we’re here to entertain, but we’re also here to educate.”
The production is “geared toward ages 2 to 102,” she said. “We do actually have a lot of senior citizens who love coming to our shows, and sometimes they bring grandchildren. We cast a pretty wide net. We’re easy to get to and easy to park, and our ticket price ($5) is right.”
The theater company stages one production annually, with January working best around the academic calendar, and offers 10 weekday performances for school groups in the 405-seat theater.
“Some of the same grammar schools have been coming for 29 years,” Shunko said. “Some teachers have retired and now bring their grandchildren.
“My favorite part is watching the kids watch the show and seeing how excited they get when the lights go up. On weekdays, buses pull up, and wee children get off in their snowsuits. It’s so exciting to see kids enjoying a day out right in the neighborhood, and it’s a wonderful experience (for)/ all of us.”
The cast of 10 current and former students and community members features Kevin Hathaway of Park Forest as Pinocchio, Pat Nevins of Homewood as Geppetto, Betty Owens of Glenwood as the Blue Fairy, Charlie Furtek of Lansing as Candlewick, Juniper Boerman DeYoung of Thornton as Sidney the Cat, Angela Martin of Midlothian as Sandor S. Swindle the Fox, Robert Smagacz of Calumet City as both Master Cherry and the Puppet Show Barker, James Walters of South Chicago Heights as both the Fire Eater and Coachman, Catherine Hundt of Thornton as Harlequin and Ashley Orendorff of Thornton as Columbine.
Vickie Jurkowski is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Children’s Theatre Company’s ‘Pinocchio’
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When: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays, Jan. 16 and 23
Where: Kindig Performing Arts Center of South Suburban College, 15800 S. State St., South Holland
Tickets: $5 (cash or check only)
Information: 708-210-5741 or learn.ssc.edu/theatre