LAMORINDA WEEKLY | East Bay Children's Theatre family musical in Orinda March 11


Corinna Rezzelle (as Blue Fairy), Kris Williams (as Pinocchio), and Ken Woolfe (as Geppetto) in the East Bay Children's Theatre production of Ron Lytle's "It Must Be Pinocchio!" Photo EBCT

To celebrate 85 historic years of bringing free musical theatre to under-served elementary school children, East Bay Children's Theatre is raising the curtain on the musical adventure "It Must be Pinocchio!" - a beloved tale of the little wooden puppet brought to magical life.

Travel to a tiny Italian village and meet Geppetto, the kindly woodcarver whose only wish is to have a family of his own. With a wave of her magical wooden spoon, Geppetto's BF (Blue Fairy) brings the puppet to life, and Pinocchio begins his journey down the road to becoming a real live boy.

But that road is paved with many trials and temptations - including a ragtag pair of conmen (a Fox and a Cat), a band of high-kicking razzle-dazzle actors, a wicked theatrical producer (Strombaloney), and even a giant whale!

As with all East Bay Children's Theatre productions, the fast-paced action and broad comedy pleases children, while the generous portion of knowing humor is aimed point-blank at adults. That recipe makes "It Must be Pinocchio!" wonderful entertainment for the entire family ... with no strings attached!

The cast is comprised of talent gathered from throughout the entire Bay Area and beyond, including: Terry Pink Alexander, Mary Bishop, Karen Fox, Riley Hyde, Benjamin Latham, Corinna Rezzelle, Howard Rosenberg, Kenny Silberberg, Kris Williams and Ken Woolfe.

The musical score is chock full of the hummable tunes including "The Wonderful-Funderful Workshop of Geppetto," "Believe," "Little Boy," "Be An Actor On The Stage," "Why Settle For A Little (When You Can Have A Little More)" and "It Must Be Pinocchio!"

Performances of "It Must be Pinocchio!" will be presented at 1 and 3 p.m. March 4 at the Firehouse Arts Center in Pleasanton; at 1 and 3 p.m. March 11 at the Orinda Library Auditorium in Orinda; and at 2 p.m. March 31 at the Del Valle Theatre in Walnut Creek. Tickets are $12-$17, and may be purchased online at www.ebctonline.org. Advance purchase is strongly recommended, as performances will sell out. For more information, contact ebctheatre@gmail.com.