Everybody loves the little wooden puppet Pinocchio. This enchanting dramatization of Carlo Collodi's immortal fairy tale begins with the woodcarver Gepetto about to slice a sliver off the puppet. When he hears a cry, he can't imagine where it's coming from. With the help of the Blue Fairy, the puppet has come to life. His adventures are exciting: Gepetto sends him to school, but Pinocchio runs off with a group of little boys who get into trouble and turn into donkeys; he is kidnapped by an evil puppeteer; he is swallowed by a whale; and, of course, every time he tells a lie his nose grows—and grows—and grows (the author tells how to do it believably). Bouncy singable songs add to the fun, suspense, and never-ending excitement.

Eugene Jackson's colorful, fast-moving dramatization captures the essence of the tale: the natural rebelliousness of little children against restraints of any kind, whether they come from parents, schools, or any other authority—and the pain and sorrow that results. Pinocchio, like little boys and girls everywhere, wants to do what he wants to do. Harm and injury are things that happen to other people, never to the immune "me."

Eugene Jackson is a master at arranging scenes to flow smoothly without interruptions or blackouts. As he did in his very popular dramatization of The Wizard of Oz, the playwright portrays the story of Pinocchio in several different settings without the use of elaborate scenery or yawning delays. The music by David Ellis is tuneful, singable, and enjoyable. Prior to publication, this Pinocchio was toured twice by the Children's Musical Theatre, Inc., of Mobile, Alabama, and was produced by the Memphis, Tennessee, Playhouse-on-the-Square. The Sky is the Limit Summer Performing Arts Camp of Baltimore used a cast of 29 early elementary students.

Two acts; Set, neutral backdrop to serve all scenes; Time, the 1850's. For all groups.

"We gave two performances to two private pre-schools. Well received! Thanks!"—Barbara Hill, Monticello, N. Y., Middle School.

Other plays by Jackson: Amazing Grace & Her Jellybean Tree, Babes in Toyland, Beauty and the Beast, Bumper Snickers, Christmas with the Three Bears, Coffey Pott Meets the Wolfman, Eager Beaver Builds a Dam, Ghoul School, Hippie, The Hunting of the Snark, Little Red Riding Wolf, The Princess and the Goblin, Rag Dolls, Rock 'N' Roll Santa, Rumpelstiltskin Is My Name, The Secret Garden, Wheels, Who Can Fix the Dragon's Wagon?, The Wind in the Willows, You're a Grand Old Flag

See also: Pinocchio Commedia by Johnny Simons.