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Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night

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Creators David I. Stern (libretto) and Stephen Schwartz (music and lyrics) will be on hand June 24 when Music Theatre Wichita continues its 44th summer season with the professional theatre debut of Disney's My Son Pinocchio, a new stage adaptation of the famous story, based on the TV film "Geppetto" and inspired by Disney's animated classic film. Scroll down for a first look at the cast in action!

Starring Nicholas F. Saverine (LES MISERABLES, The Phantom of the Opera) as the toymaker, this production also marks the professional debut of 9-year-old Topher Cundith as the magical marionette. Other featured roles include The Blue Fairy, played by Emily Vargo, the demented puppeteer Stromboli, portrayed by Shaun-Michael Morse, and Professor Buonragazzo, manufacturer of "perfect" children, played by Steve Hitchcock.

The all-new production includes bright set designs by J Branson and colorful costumes by Tiia E. Torchia. Others on the artistic team include hair and makeup Designer Taylor Malott, lighting designer David Neville, sound designer David Muehl, millinery designer Megan Reed, and properties master Maria Leon.

The production is directed by MTWichita producing artistic director Wayne Bryan, with choreography by Amy Baker Schwiethale and her associate Casey Bagnall, and musical direction by Thomas W. Douglas. It plays June 24-28 at Century II Concert Hall in Wichita.

Tickets are on sale now for all performances, either online at mtwichita.org, or by calling 316.265.3107. More information, including biographies, histories, and a "Sneak Peek" video, can be found at www.MTWichita.org.

Photo Credit: Christopher Clark

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 1 of 28
The lonely toymaker Geppetto is played by Nicholas F. Saverine.

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 2 of 28
The Blue Fairy is played by Emily Vargo.

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 3 of 28
Pinocchio (Topher Cundith)

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 4 of 28
Pinocchio (Topher Cundith)

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 5 of 28
Pinocchio (Topher Cundith)

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 6 of 28
Geppetto (Nicholas F. Saverine)

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 7 of 28
Puppeteer Stromboli (Shaun-Michael Morse) has an operatic flair.

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 8 of 28
Puppeteer Stromboli (Shaun-Michael Morse) has an operatic flair.

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 9 of 28
Puppeteer Stromboli (Shaun-Michael Morse) has an operatic flair.

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 10 of 28
The Blue Fairy (Emily Vargo)

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 11 of 28
Pinocchio (Topher Cundith) sings 'I've Got No Strings' as Geppetto (Nicholas F. Saverine) and villagers watch him.

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 12 of 28
Pinocchio (Topher Cundith) sings 'I've Got No Strings' as Geppetto (Nicholas F. Saverine) and villagers watch him.

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 13 of 28
Pinocchio (Topher Cundith) sings 'I've Got No Strings' as Geppetto (Nicholas F. Saverine) and villagers watch him.

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 14 of 28
Geppetto (Nicholas F. Saverine)

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 15 of 28
Geppetto (Nicholas F. Saverine)

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 16 of 28
Geppetto (Nicholas F. Saverine) gets to know his new son Pinocchio (Topher Cundith).

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 17 of 28
Geppetto (Nicholas F. Saverine) gets to know his new son Pinocchio (Topher Cundith).

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 18 of 28
Geppetto (Nicholas F. Saverine) gets to know his new son Pinocchio (Topher Cundith).

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 19 of 28
Geppetto (Nicholas F. Saverine) gets to know his new son Pinocchio (Topher Cundith).

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 20 of 28
Pinocchio (Topher Cundith)

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 21 of 28
The Blue Fairy (Emily Vargo) watches over Geppetto (Nicholas F. Saverine) and Pinoccho (Topher Cundith).

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 22 of 28
The Blue Fairy (Emily Vargo) watches over Geppetto (Nicholas F. Saverine) and Pinoccho (Topher Cundith).

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 23 of 28
The Blue Fairy (Emily Vargo) protects Geppetto (Nicholas F. Saverine) and Pinocchio (Topher Cundith) from the wily puppeteer Stromboli (Shaun-Michael Morse).

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 24 of 28
The Blue Fairy (Emily Vargo) protects Geppetto (Nicholas F. Saverine) and Pinocchio (Topher Cundith) from the wily puppeteer Stromboli (Shaun-Michael Morse).

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 25 of 28
The Blue Fairy (Emily Vargo) protects Geppetto (Nicholas F. Saverine) and Pinocchio (Topher Cundith) from the wily puppeteer Stromboli (Shaun-Michael Morse).

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 26 of 28
Geppetto (Nicholas F. Saverine) and Pinocchio (Topher Cundith) meet the puppeteer Stromboli (Shaun-Michael Morse).

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 27 of 28
Puppeteer Stromboli (Shaun-Michael Morse)

Photos: First Look at MTWichita's MY SON PINOCCHIO; Schwartz & Stern Set for Opening Night — photo 28 of 28
Pinocchio (Topher Cundith) sings 'I've Got No Strings' as Geppetto (Nicholas F. Saverine) and villagers watch him.


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