Hope Muir, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, shared the casting for Olivier Award-winning choreographer Will Tuckett’s Pinocchio which is onstage at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts March 13 – 22.

Created for the National Ballet in 2017, this reimagined Pinocchio will feature several debuts this season. Dancing the title role of Pinocchio are Second Soloists Noah Parets and David Preciado and Corps de Ballet member Alexander Skinner. The role of the Blue Fairy will be performed by Principal Dancers Beckanne Sisk, Koto Ishihara and Agnes Su and Geppetto will be danced by Principal Dancer Larkin Miller, First Soloist Donald Thom and Second Soloist Josh Hall.

Tuckett has made revisions to his acclaimed production including the addition of Narrators, voiced by professional actors, who guide Pinocchio on his many adventures and draw audience members more deeply into the story. The Narrators are performed by AJ Bridel, Andrew Broderick, Maya Doherty and Trevor Patt. The production also features American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation by Marcia Adolphe at every performance to further support the storytelling and uphold the company’s commitment to providing access for all.

Visually spectacular, Pinocchio combines magical stagecraft, breathtaking dancing and even a whimsical touch of Canadiana. An original score by Paul Englishby draws from numerous musical sources, including jazz and West End musicals, and colourful sets and costumes are designed by Colin Richmond with lighting by Oliver Fenwick and projections by Douglas O’Connell.

Pinocchio is a delightful adventure with something for everyone. Discounts for children 13 and under are available for all performances. Visit national.ballet.ca.

Casting:

Pinocchio

Noah Parets (March 13, 14, 18, 20, 21 at 7:30 pm)

David Preciado (March 14, 15 at 2:00 pm / March 19 at 7:30 pm)

Alexander Skinner (March 19, 21, 22 at 2:00 pm)

Geppetto

Donald Thom (March 13, 14, 18, 20, 21 at 7:30 pm)

Josh Hall (March 14, 15 at 2:00 pm / March 19 at 7:30 pm)

Larkin Miller (March 19, 21, 22 at 2:00 pm)

Blue Fairy

Beckanne Sisk (March 13, 14, 18, 20, 21 at 7:30 pm)

Koto Ishihara (March 14, 15 at 2:00 pm / March 19 at 7:30 pm)

Agnes Su (March 19, 21, 22 at 2:00 pm)

Cat

Jenna Savella (March 13, 14, 18, 20, 21 at 7:30 pm)

Tirion Law (March 14, 15 at 2:00 pm / March 19 at 7:30 pm)

Hannah Galway (March 19, 21, 22 at 2:00 pm)

Fox

Isaac Wright (March 13, 14, 18, 20, 21 at 7:30 pm)

Jason Ferro (March 14, 15 at 2:00 pm / March 19 at 7:30 pm)

Keaton Leier (March 19, 21, 22 at 2:00 pm)

Ringmaster

Naoya Ebe (March 13, 14, 18, 20, 21 at 7:30 pm)

Ben Rudisin (March 14, 15 at 2:00 pm / March 19 at 7:30 pm)

Chase O’Connell (March 19, 21, 22 at 2:00 pm)

Puppet Master

Trygve Cumpston (March 13, 14, 18, 20, 21 at 7:30 pm)

Hamish Lowe (March 14, 15 at 2:00 pm / March 19 at 7:30 pm)

Matthieu Pagès (March 19, 21, 22 at 2:00 pm)

Narrator, Schoolmistress & Barmaid

Maya Doherty (March 13, 14, 18, 20, 21 at 7:30 pm / March 19, 21, 22 at 2:00 pm)

AJ Bridel (March 14, 15 at 2:00 pm / March 19 at 7:30 pm)

Narrator

Trevor Patt (March 13, 14, 18, 20, 21 at 7:30 pm / March 19, 21, 22 at 2:00 pm)

Andrew Broderick (March 14, 15 at 2:00 pm / March 19 at 7:30 pm)

Casting subject to change.

Photo: Jonathan Renna and Jack Bertinshaw in Pinocchio. © 2017 Aleksandar Antonijevic.