April 18, 2003
Contact: Leslee Caul (509-963-1760/fax 509-963-1767/e-mail: caull@cwu.edu)
ELLENSBURG, Wash. - “How unlucky boys are! Everybody scolds
us, everybody gives us good advice!” So laments the title character in
the Central Washington University theatre arts presentation of
“Pinocchio,” which opens to the public on April 25 at 7 p.m. in the
Tower Theatre.
Adapted by Madge Miller from the classic Italian fairy tale
by Carlo Collodi, “Pinocchio” is about a naughty little puppet that
becomes a real, live boy when he learns, through a series of journeys
and mistakes, that honesty and loyalty matter most.
Departing from the familiar cartoon version, guest director
Patrick Elkins-Zeglarski adapts the story by altering the setting to a
small 1860’s Northwest logging camp where a touring troupe of players
arrives and, using materials they find in the forest, unfolds the
magical storybook tale.
The family theatre presentation, suitable for all ages, is
approximately one hour long. Other public performances in Tower
Theatre are April 26 at 1 and 7 p.m., and April 27 at 1 p.m.
Tickets are $5 each or three for $10. Because of limited
seating, advance tickets are recommended and can be purchased by phone
with a VISA or MasterCard by calling (509) 963-1774. The Tower Theatre
box office is open weekdays from noon to 5 p.m. and one hour prior to
each performance.
For additional information, or for persons of disability to
arrange for reasonable accommodation, call (509) 963-1774, of (for the
hearing impaired) TDD (509) 963-2143.
In addition to those performances, CWU’s own touring troupe
is ready to present the show more than 20 times to schools and theatres
throughout the state. Those performances begin April 23 with a local
matinee series in Ellensburg. Attending schools will include Valley
View; Pateros High School; Yakima Valley Community College/Grandview;
Easton Elementary; Damman School; the Ellensburg Home School
Association; Little Country Pre-School; Ellensburg Christian School;
CWU’s Early Childhood Development Center; and Kittitas Elementary.
Limited seating is still available for some matinee performances.
This year the company will then travel for performances at
Shelton Junior Programs; Harrah Elementary; Zillah Elementary; West
Seattle Elementary; Evergreen Children’s Theatre in Bremerton; Thorp
School; Holmes Elementary in Spokane; Mesa Elementary; Connell
Elementary; Basin City Elementary; Saddle Mountain Elementary in
Mattawa; Wenatchee High School; Edison Elementary; and Dayton
Elementary.
Those interested in booking a group can contact Leslee Caul
at (509) 963-1760 for reservations.
