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THE CAST
of Pinocchio — BRONTË H. LACSAMANA
THE theater group Ephesus Teatron will be transporting audiences to a rustic Italian village, where their actors will breathe life into a boy-puppet named Pinocchio, carved by the old carpenter Geppetto.
Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio, a musical adaptation of this beloved children’s story, will be staged on Oct. 9, 10, and 11, at Ayala Malls Feliz in Pasig City.
The show is directed by Sweet Samaniego-Buchanan, with music arranged by Pipo Cifra. It will see Brie Mosquito in the title role of Pinocchio, joined by seasoned theater performers like Red Nuestro as Geppetto, Ms. Samaniego-Buchanan as the Blue Fairy, Sheila Gamo, Bhen Espina, Nazer Salcedo, and Dusty Suarez.
“Theater before, if you go back to Shakespeare, as long as there’s lights, actors, and a community, that’s theater. I’m so happy we have this,” said Ms. Samaniego-Buchanan at a press conference on Aug. 22. “There’s so much traffic here and people can’t travel far just to see a show. In the States, they also have small communities that put up theater.”
For generations, the story of Pinocchio has fascinated children and adults alike, at its core being a journey of a wooden puppet discovering what it takes to become a real boy. Eastern Manila citizens — those in Pasig, Marikina, Antipolo, and the general Rizal area — will be able to experience the story in the confines of a mall.
Ms. Samaniego-Buchanan shared that it just so happened that Ayala was looking for theater companies that could stage shows in Feliz.
In a preview for the press, the theater group demonstrated how it would look: the mall’s activity center was surrounded by curtains for a bit of privacy, so that people on that level can’t just stand at the side and watch. However, those on the upper floors can see the stage from above, getting a peek but at the same time encouraging people to buy tickets to watch within the actual audience space.
“With the enclosure, if they want to watch [the play] comfortably, that’s the time they go in to buy tickets,” she said. “The seating capacity here is 300 people.”
The audience can expect vibrant choreography, memorable songs, and colorful costumes. Promising young artists in the supporting cast include Althea Ruedas, Sofia Gabrielle Magno, Jay Paulo Danganan, Paulo Esteva, Ed Vincent Bonoan, Vinz Cantillo, Sofia Yzabel Mallares, Erika Mae Salas, and Joahnah Marie Sevilla.
For Ms. Samaniego-Buchanan, who did a version of Pinocchio with Repertory Philippines in 1996, this one is set to be different.
“After three decades I can execute what I wanted to do. I added things and spiced it up a bit. Pipo Cifra and I updated the music a little so it wouldn’t be dragging,” she said.
She added that Pinocchio carries lessons that remain remarkably relevant today, especially in an age when young people navigate a world filled with distractions, pressures, and difficult choices.
As for how they aim to hold the attention of the children watching, now that their attention spans are different due to the digital influence, she maintained that children’s theater is timeless.
“We break the fourth wall. It’s necessary for the kids to have interactions. That’s the standard for children’s theater,” she said.
The lead actress, seven-year-old Brie Mosquito, is a talent that the theater group has been nurturing, specifically under Ms. Samaniego-Buchanan’s guidance.
“I’m happy as the lead character. It’s my first time doing it,” she told BusinessWorld. “It’s thanks to Teacher Sweet for teaching me how to be a good actor and singer and dancer.”
Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio, a musical adaptation by the Ephesus Teatron Group, will be staged on Oct. 9, 10, and 11 at the Activity Center on the 2nd Floor of Ayala Malls Feliz, located on Amang Rodriguez corner JP Rizal, Barangay Dela Paz, Pasig City.
For ticket reservations and inquiries, call 0945-991-1840. — Brontë H. Lacsamana
