Disney's My Son Pinocchio Jr. - ACT Summer Camp (Special Event)
Book by Jennifer Lee
Music & Lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez
Directed by: Rebecca Douglas
Audition Dates: Jun. 26, 27, 28 (callbacks), 2023
Camp Dates: Jul. 31 – 18, 2023
Performances: August 18, 19(m), 19, 25, 26(m), 26, 2023
In Disney’s My Son Pinocchio Jr., the classic tale of toymaker Geppetto’s little wooden puppet is given new life. This new musical, which retells the classic Disney story from Geppetto’s perspective, features the beloved classic songs, “When You Wish Upon a Star” and “I’ve Got No Strings,” alongside a host of new songs by Oscar winner and Grammy Award winner, Stephen Schwartz. Join the Blue Fairy, Stromboli and a lively cast of characters as Geppetto journeys beyond the toyshop to discover the meaning of family. When the Blue Fairy grants Geppetto’s wish to bring his beloved puppet to life, the new father quickly learns that being a parent is full of challenges. He struggles to make his son “the perfect boy,” only to lose him to a gang of Roustabouts. It is only when faced with the thought of never seeing Pinocchio again that Geppetto truly learns the joys of being a father and loving his child unconditionally.
Director
Rebecca Douglas has been involved in community theater for thirty years! Some of her local credits include: ACT’s All Together Now!, Annie as Grace Ferrell, Big Fish as Josephine, Shrek as the Witch, Avenue Q as Lucy and Mrs. T., Thoroughly Modern Millie as Alice, Meet Me in St. Louis as Anna Smith, The Music Man as Eulalie Shinn, and Hello, Dolly! as Ernestina Money. She also directed Seussical Jr., Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Jr., The Wizard of Oz, Once on This Island Jr. and At First Sight, co-directed Matilda, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and served as vocal director for The Wizard of Oz, Man of La Mancha, Meet Me in St. Louis, and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, as assistant director for Treasure Island and Excalibur! The Story of Young King Arthur and as administrative director/stage manager for Shakespeare for Kids. She also performed in On the Verge and Annie Get Your Gun at CCT, An Adult Evening of Shel Silverstein with Pipe Dream Theatre, Majestic Eight and The Little Mermaid with the Majestic Theatre. She has also directed a number of shows for CCT and Majestic Education. She is the General Music Teacher at Albany Christian School. She is also the Music Director for the Adventures in Acting Camp at the Majestic Theatre.
Director’s email: rbbailey@hotmail.com
Cast of Characters
Animals (Pig, Foxes, Horse) serve as voices of reason for Geppetto’s journey. Performers cast in these roles do not have to sing; however, comic timing and deadpan delivery are essential. These performers should be comfortable inhabiting the mismatched animals they portray.
Bernardo & Maria are married residents of Idyllia who are looking to purchase a “perfect” daughter from Professore Buonragazzo. These roles require group singing only. These performers can become part of the ensemble in other group numbers.
The Blue Fairy is convinced of her own perfection and does not like having it called into question. The performer you cast should have good comedic instincts and a solid singing voice. This role does not require excessive dancing.
Range: G3 – E5
Boy 1 is one of three spokespeople for a group of traveling singers. They are larger than life as they spread joy throughout Rainbow Valley with their songs.Boy 1 is the first replacement for Pinocchio, created by Professore Buonragazzo’s machine. Find an actor who can mimic a comedic version of the famous puppet.
Range: C3 – C4
Boy 2 is the second replacement for Pinocchio. He should be even more wooden than Boy 1.
Range: C3 – C4
Children of Idyllia (Amelia, Salvatore, Carla, Lucia, Giuseppe, Boy 1, Boy 2) are the perfect children created by Professore Buonragazzo. Performers cast in these roles should be able to sing in groups, with featured speaking lines. There are great opportunities for movement and dance.
Delinquents (Malvolio, Brutto, Sporco, others) can expand to include more performers and are great roles for non-singers. Also, they must be comfortable turning into donkeys.
Geppetto A Sharecropper who bids his time until he can go away to college. He has a quiet strength.Geppetto is a lonely toymaker who longs to be a father. Look for a mature performer who feels comfortable playing a parent to Pinocchio and isn’t afraid of showing emotion. Cast a strong singer, as Geppetto has several solos.
Range: Bb3 – F5
Junior is Professore Buonragazzo’s mirrorimage assistant, created using the child-making machine. The performer in this role will need to work closely with the performer playing the Professor to mimic his movements. A short solo is required, but it can be spoken if necessary.
Range: Bb3 – C#5
Marionettes are the stringed puppets in Stromboli’s show. There are solos available for marionettes, if you choose to separate their voices from Stromboli. Marionettes can be added as need to the ensemble.
Range: Bb3 – E5
Pinocchio is a wooden puppet who doesn’t know where he belongs. Look for a performer who can handle the lively personality of a little boy while also capturing tender moments. Although Pinocchio is a boy, the role can be played by a boy or girl. Pinocchio has a few solos, but a strong character actor can easily act through them.
Range: G3 – E5
Professore Buongrazzo is a passionate, mad scientist obsessed with building perfect children. While some solos are required, character work is most important for this role.
Range: Bb3 – C#4
The Ringleader runs Pleasure Island. The performer playing this role should have a real sense of showmanship. This role requires some singing and is a great opportunity to showcase a dancer. The Ringleader can be played by a boy or a girl, but be sure to cast a performer who can commit to the character’s mischievous ways.
Range: A3 – E5
Rosa, Viola & Arancia, fairies in training, are sweet and kind. The performers in these roles should be expressive observers since they often oversee the action occurring onstage during flashbacks. They sing as a group, often alongside the Blue Fairy. Their individual distinctions from one another can be discovered during rehearsal.
Roustabouts are the sidekicks to Pleasure Island’s Ringleader. When performing these roles, personality is key. Group singing is required.
Signora Giovaani is Pinocchio’s teacher. The role can be a great opportunity to feature a performer who doesn’t sing. If needed, this performer can become part of the ensemble in other group numbers.
Stromboli is a bumbling, loud, incompetent puppeteer who has at least a few screws loose. Cast a versatile performer who can create silly voices to take this character and his marionettes over-the-top. Stromboli’s songs are challenging, so look for someone who is comfortable with his solos and doesn’t shy away from silliness.
Range: Bb3 – F5
Sue is a fairy in training who marches to the beat of her own drum. She isn’t your typical fairy, as sweetness isn’t in her nature. The performer in this role can be brooding or brash, but certainly a contrast to Rosa, Viola and Arancia, although vocally she should blend in.
Talia is the “perfect child” created for Maria and Bernardo by Professore Buonragazzo’s machine. Talia sings and dances to impress her parents, so this is a great role to feature a dancer.
Range: C3 – C4
The Town Children (Dante, Agata, Fiorello, Francesca, Adriana, Luigi, Gina, Lia, Rico) love the toys in Geppetto’s shop. The performers cast in these roles should be able to create individual personalities for their characters. There are opportunities for solos, but performers can sing in groups.
Town Parents (Signora Lisi, Signore Fucito, Signora Mancini, Signor Alcamo, Signora Sommelia, Signora Contrastana, Signora Rosati, Signore Proto, Signore Marino) are the beleaguered mothers and judgmental fathers of the town children. The performers cast in these roles should be able to create individual personalities for their characters. There are opportunities for solos, but performers can sing in groups.
