The Adventures of Pinocchio
Audiences of any age will delight in Deaf West’s family friendly production of “The Adventures of Pinocchio” featuring a balanced cast of deaf, hard-of-hearing and hearing performers.
Adapted by Lee Hall, this version remains true to the original story, which is much darker than the Disney animated film, but works well on stage with more dramatic action and memorable characters plotting against the wooden puppet as he learns life lessons along his journey. The commedia dell’arte flourishes add an authentic feel to Carlo Collodi’s cautionary fairy tale and provides the cast plenty of opportunity for exaggerated movement and comedic horseplay.
Children will recognize most of the main characters such as Geppetto (Matthew Henerson), the Blue Fairy (Lexi Marman), the Ringmaster (James Royce Edwards), and Pinocchio him(her)self (Amber Zion). There is also the Cricket (Vae) but very unlike Jiminy Cricket with a dapper sophistication and righteous indignation. But audiences will adore a pair of wily tricksters in the form of a Cat (Marman) and a Fox (Vae) as well as the strict Schoolmarm (Vae) who brandishes her ruler like a cane.
Along with the speaking cast however, are signers who shadow each character in full dress and likewise persona. The presence of two actors in each role does not distract from the action, rather it serves as a clever complement without competing for attention. The ‘shadowers,’ in a sense work together cohesively as a singular yet collaborative unit throughout. They react to one another in character, but the interplay of the signers and the speaking cast members become a believable extension of the characters themselves. The signers, in this way, are just as crucial to the development of the story and characters as are their speaking counterparts.
Colin O’Brien-Lux signing for Geppetto and the Puppet Master is nimble on his feet and a master of physical comedy. Lindsay W. Evans provides voice for Harlequin, Cat, Cricket and Lampwick with various vocal tones and accents. Tommy Korn marks his debut with Deaf West as Pantaloon, Bird, Raven and Lampwick. Darrin Revitz gives Zion’s cutely fetching Pinocchio personality and song with her sweetly sung ballad, “When I Am Gone.” Together, these two give the would-be boy heart and soul long before he acquires his wish.
In less capable hands, this double casting may come off as a jumbled, confusing mess, but Stephen Rothman executes it flawlessly until the performances are so intertwined as to be imperceptible in the imaginative tableau.
Music plays an integral role in the show with the show stopping number, “Playland” by powerhouse Edwards. The finale also features the ensemble in a riveting number “I’m a Boy” sung and performed in a spellbinding and moving choreography.
Evan Bartoletti’s set design easily transports the audience through forests, cottages, and remarkably with the use of a blue scrim, the whale-swallowing scene. Note the detail upstage in each new scene with various cutouts provided in the ever-changing landscape.
Costumes by Ann Closs-Farley are as colorful as the characters and inventive too with lovely touches for the Cricket, the Blue Fairy and the Harlequins.
This is a magical must-see show the whole family will enjoy and remember for years to come.
“The Adventures of Pinocchio”
Runs through March 27
Thurs, Fri, and Sat at 8pm
Sat and Sun at 2pm
Arrive at 7:30pm on ASL Nights on March 3 and 4
Audience Talk Backs follow the March 5 & March 13 matinees
Deaf West Theatre
5112 Lankershim Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA 91601
(One block south of Magnolia Blvd)
PH: 818-762-2773
Video phone: 866-954-2986
www.deafwest.org
Tickets are $25
Children 12 and under are $15