PINOCCHIO Will Bring Imaginations To Life In City-Wide Tour

The Playhouse in the Park's popular Off the Hill series starts the new year with PINOCCHIO beginning Jan. 20. The story, adapted by Toby Hulse from the original stories written by Carlo Collodi, runs through February 18 at community centers across the region.

A well-loved story, PINOCCHIO is about a wooden puppet of the same name full of childlike whimsy that was brought to life by the lonely toymaker Gepetto. The play is packed with playful antics, magical creatures, madcap comedy and dollops of fun for the whole family from age 6 and up.

"I think Pinocchio is an irresistible character," says Playhouse Senior Directing Fellow Cait Robinson, who directs the show. "I want children to be able to fall in love with and identify with him - his love of singing and dancing, his silly sense of humor and the way he grows wiser and kinder over the course of the play."

Robinson invites the audience to expand their imaginations every step of the way. Three performers take on the script's two-dozen characters of humans, animals and magical creatures, while donning original wardrobe pieces created by Playhouse artisans. Painted panels and curtains transform the world of the story from the comfort of Geppetto's toyshop to the wild of the woods to the depths of the ocean.

"PINOCCHIO is a classic tale that is still relevant and exciting for kids as well as parents," says Director of Education and Community Engagement Daunielle Rasmussen. "It is an intergenerational gem that is a joyful experience for the whole family from the youngest to the oldest member."

PINOCCHIO tours the Greater Cincinnati area from Jan. 20 to Feb. 18. For information on locations and tickets, visit cincyplay.com.

The Playhouse is supported by the generosity of more than 40,000 contributors to the ArtsWave Community Campaign. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Playhouse also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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