Pinocchio is now running at Children’s Theatre Company

Children’s Theatre Company is presenting Pinocchio this fall, running through Oct. 18. The production features a young and diverse cast and offers a fresh take on Carlo Collodi’s beloved classic. Directed and adapted by Greg Banks, the play brings a new perspective to the timeless story of the wooden puppet who dreams of becoming a real boy.

Actress Antonisia “Nisi” Collins, a Children’s Theatre Company (CTC) core member since 2023, stars as Pinocchio. Reed Sigmund, another CTC core member, stars as Geppetto/Honest John. Collins said she’s excited to bring her own personal flair to the beloved character.

“I am trying so very hard to capture the curiosity of a child, like how children see something, process that information in real time, and like, either repeat it, or be naughty, you know. That’s what I’m trying to do in my body, in the way that I say the lines, and that’s what I’m trying to bring to the character,” said Collins.

Collins said that preparing to play a wooden character requires developing a strong sense of muscle memory and physicality. Much of her performance relies on using her body to communicate the character, from her movements and posture to the way she interacts with the world around her.

“It’s just a little bit hard to remember to be stiff sometimes too. But it’s fun and it’s a great challenge. I like the fact that I’m getting the opportunity to experience something new in my body with this show,” said Collins.

According to Collins, those attending can expect a fun and interactive show, complete with moments when the characters break the fourth wall. She hopes audience members will come ready to engage their imaginations and embrace the playful nature of the production. In this rendition of Pinocchio, the characters enter the story as painters, adding a unique creative element to the classic tale.

“There’s a lot of spectacle, in the sense that we are doing a lot of things out of the ordinary because we don’t have other normal elements. And so I also think the audience can expect to just have to go with us and use their imagination a little bit… They can expect to laugh for sure. There’s so much, it’s a really funny story,” said Collins.

Collins said the bond between the characters will be palpable throughout the performance, which she attributes to the longstanding relationships she’s built with her fellow castmates.

“A few minutes of rehearsal is literally just us having fun together and bonding and fostering relationships with each other before we even jump into the world of the play,” said Collins.

She continued: “And so it’s been truly wonderful to be in this room with all these people and to play, to laugh, because what it’s doing is, once we jump into the text, we come up with all these ideas because our brain is flowing. So it’s truly been magical to be a part of this room. It’s a small room, but it’s so impactful to the process of the show because we’re building relationships with each other before we even jump into the world.”

While the play stays true to the original story of Pinocchio, Collins hopes this rendition of the classic will leave audiences with a heartfelt message.

“There’s still the mischief and the naughtiness there, you know? The message I hope the audience takes away is that people can change and grow. You never start where you end up. You make mistakes, and that doesn’t mean you’re a bad person. You can learn and grow from the mistakes you make, and sometimes those mistakes are necessary to shape who you become.

“I hope the audience takes away that sense of growth. Even though Pinocchio is a puppet, there are still very human qualities to him.”

For more information, visit www.childrenstheatre.org/whats-on/pinocchio/.

Aamira Redd is a freelance journalist and contributing writer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. She welcomes reader responses at aamiraredd@gmail.com.