Principal Casting Announced For National Ballet of Canada's PINNOCHIO, 3/11-24

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced the principal casting for the world premiere of Pinocchio by choreographer Will Tuckett. The highly anticipated full-length production will open the Winter Season at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts March 11 - 24, 2017 and is the perfect outing for March Break.

Dancing the title role will be First Soloists Skylar Campbell, Robert Stephen and Second Soloist Jack Bertinshaw. The role of the Blue Fairy will be danced by Principal Dancer Elena Lobsanova and Second Soloist Hannah Fischer. Geppetto will be performed by Principal Dancer Piotr Stanczyk and Principal Character Artist Jonathan Renna.

Principal Casting

Pinocchio
Jack Bertinshaw (March 11, 19 at 2:00 pm/March 16 at 7:30 pm)
Skylar Campbell (March 11, 15, 17, 18, 24 at 7:30 pm/March 23 at 2:00 pm)
Robert Stephen (March 23 at 7:30 pm/March 12, 18 at 2:00 pm)

Blue Fairy
Hannah Fischer (March 11, 12, 18, 19 at 2:00 pm/March 16, 23 at 7:30 pm)
Elena Lobsanova (March 11, 15, 17, 18, 24 at 7:30 pm/March 23 at 2:00 pm)

Geppetto
Jonathan Renna (March 11, 12, 18, 19 at 2:00 pm/March 16, 23 at 7:30 pm)
Piotr Stanczyk (March 11, 15, 17, 18, 24 at 7:30 pm/March 23 at 2:00 pm)

Blue Fairy Shadows
Guillaume Côté, Harrison James, Antonella Martinelli, Sonia Rodriguez and Xiao Nan Yu

Cat
Jillian Vanstone (March 11, 12, 18, 19 at 2:00 pm/March 16, 23 at 7:30 pm)
Jurgita Dronina (March 11, 15, 17, 18, 24 at 7:30 pm/March 23 at 2:00 pm)

Fox
Félix Paquet (March 11, 12, 18, 19 at 2:00 pm/March 16, 23 at 7:30 pm)
Dylan Tedaldi (March 11, 15, 17, 18, 24 at 7:30 pm/March 23 at 2:00 pm)

Ringmaster
Evan McKie (March 11, 12, 18, 19 at 2:00 pm/March 16, 23 at 7:30 pm)
Francesco Gabriele Frola (March 11, 15, 17, 18, 24 at 7:30 pm/March 23 at 2:00 pm)

Casting subject to change.

Renowned for his inventive story-telling, Mr Tuckett's Pinocchio is a humourous and moving re-telling of the adventures of the famous wooden boy with inventive choreography and stagecraft.

Pinocchio is set to a commissioned score by Paul Englishby and features libretto by Alasdair Middleton, set and costume designs by Colin Richmond, lighting design by Oliver Fenwick and projection design by Douglas O'Connell.

A co-production of The National Ballet of Canada and Texas Ballet Theatre.

The National Ballet of Canada dedicates the 2016/17 Season to Sandra and Jim Pitblado in gratitude for their ongoing leadership, extraordinary generosity and enduring friendship.

Lead philanthropic support for Pinocchio is provided by the Walter Carsen New Creations Fund, with additional support from an anonymous friend of the National Ballet, Tim & Frances Price, The Volunteer Committee of The National Ballet of Canada and The Producers' Circle.

The Producers' Circle: Gail & Mark Appel, John & Claudine Bailey, Inger Bartlett & Marshal Stearns, David W. Binet, Susanne Boyce & Brendan Mullen, Gail Drummond & Bob Dorrance, The Thor E. and Nicole Eaton Family Charitable Foundation, Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan, Kevin & Roger Garland, Emmanuelle Gattuso and Allan Slaight, The William & Nona Heaslip Foundation, Rosamond Ivey, Hal Jackman Foundation, Anna McCowan-Johnson & Donald K. Johnson, O.C., Judy Korthals & Peter Irwin, Judith & Robert Lawrie, Mona & Harvey Levenstein, Joan & Jerry Lozinski, The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain, C.C., Julie Medland, Sandra Pitblado & Jim Pitblado, C.M., Lynda & Jonas Prince, Susan Scace & Arthur Scace, C.M., Q.C., Gerald Sheff & Shanitha Kachan, Sandra Simpson and Noreen Taylor, C.M. & David Staines, C.M., O.Ont.

Performance Sponsors: Deloitte (March 15) and The Globe and Mail (March 19).

Pinocchio Ballet Talks Sponsor: Hal Jackman Foundation

Guillaume Côté is sponsored through Dancers First by Emmanuelle Gattuso and Allan Slaight.

Harrison James is sponsored through Dancers First by Lucy White.

Elena Lobsanova is sponsored through Dancers First by Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan.

Jillian Vanstone is sponsored through Dancers First by George & Kathy Dembroski.

Skylar Campbell is sponsored through Dancers First by Tricia Younger.

Francesco Gabriele Frola is sponsored through Dancers First by Sherry and Edward Drew.

Hannah Fischer is sponsored through Dancers First by Judy & Bella Matthews.

Félix Paquet is sponsored through Dancers First by Stephen Delaney & Robyn McCallum.

The National Ballet of Canada gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of the Canada Council for the Arts; the Ontario Arts Council; the City of Toronto through the Economic Development & Culture Department; the Government of Canada - Department of Canadian Heritage, through the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages; and the Government of Ontario through The Honourable Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

(Photo Credit: National Ballet of Canada)