Once Upon a Time There Was a Piece of Wood

,,,so begins the 1883 novel ‘The Adventures of Pinocchio’ by Carlo Collodi.

It can be disarming to realize that memory isn’t reliable. It almost feels like betrayal. For decades you may have believed something or remembered in a certain way, but time has a way of correcting our experiences.

It can be humbling. I mean, no one likes being wrong, especially when it comes to something we personally experienced, but it’s somewhat of a shock when we acknowledge that our own mind is susceptible to misleading us because of the passing years.

I couldn’t help but think about all of this as I watched ‘Pinocchio’, the first show of the 2026/2027 season for the Children’s Theatre Company. I remembered the Disney cartoon from my childhood, and over the years I realized how different these adaptations are from the source material, so getting to know the real story of ‘The Little Mermaid’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’ has been really fun.

‘Pinocchio’ is no different. This lovely play is based on the book by Carlo Collodi and adapted by Greg Banks and it was a delight to experience the real story as opposed to the Disney version. Pinocchio, as a character, is more than just someone who experiences nose growths when telling lies.

The lead character is played by Antonisia Collins and she just brings this little wooden toy to life. Her movements, her way of speaking, but also his naivety. I mean, Pinocchio was carved from wood and is just learning about emotions, family, and trusting people. Like all of us, he learns things the hard way, by making mistakes.

And that’s heartbreaking in it of itself, but Collins just…. pulls something out of you. When she shows sadness from realizing that not everyone should be trusted you remember the time you yourself realized that you can’t put your faith in everyone.

I didn’t expect to relate to a character made of wood, but like Pinocchio we are all figuring things out and learning what we’re supposed to do.

But what stays with me is her portrayal of yearning. The constant wish to be a real boy. The dedication of trying to do what needs to be done to be real.

As a transgender girl I know what it’s like to want to be real. To be more than what our family thought we were when we were created.

Collins is the stand out, and after years of seeing every show at CTC I’ve realized that much of the cast has become old friends. Reed Sigmund (who plays The Grinch at the annual holiday show) is a chameleon and can portray anyone from a pirate to a cowardly lion. Sigmund takes on several roles in this play and to see him shift from a crafty fox to a kindly father within minutes is nothing short of magic. It was fun to see Dean Holt again who jumps from being a cricket (I mean, that’s not easy to play a character the audience can’t really see) to a sinister villain who is charming and menacing. I’ve seen Autumn Ness in other productions but she is so good at becoming a character (whether in this play or other shows I’ve seen her in) that it’s hard to remember that all of those roles were brought to life by one person.

Finally I have to mention the music. I love minimalism, I love seeing what can be done with limited options, but Victor Zupanc enhanced everything with accordions and fiddles and other instruments. How an entire story was brought to life with just one person is a magic I’ll never understand.

Speaking of minimalism, this play itself is told without giant sets. No ginormous creatures or special effects. It is a testament to the actors who used the same props for everything from the inside of a whale to a forest to a classroom.

This is a story that you think you know. This is a story that is more than you remember. This is a story that needs to be seen.

Thank you to CTC for inviting me to a lovely evening. It’s a wonderful reminder that we are never too old too old to believe in magic because the magic is real.

Love, Hannah