No Lie: Bergen County Player's Pinocchio is a Hit

Macaroni Kid
Dec 3, 2015
By: Angeline Sheridan

As Elves and Mensches begin to appear in homes, a timeless naughty-nice story graces the stage at Bergen County Players in Oradell to remind children to be good for the holidays. Set in a small Italian village, Pinocchio is about a wooden puppet's journey to becoming a real boy. The conflicts Pinocchio faces are issues kids still face today: bullies, peer pressure, and parent rebellion. And the lessons remain the same: tell the truth and always listen to your parents.

It was a full house when my son and I attended the Pinocchio premiere this past Saturday. The show engaged the audience from the start with the opening song "Buon Giorno" and kept us entertained throughout the 60-minute performance with sing alongs and a colorful set. It was amusing to see Geppetto moving Pinocchio around as a puppet, and it was a treat to see Pinocchio's wooden nose grow. The production also did an excellent job showing just enough "bad guys" through the characters Candlewick, Gino, Coachman, Volpone, Gatto and the whale without frightening the six and under crowd. The after-show meet and greet is a nice touch, allowing the audience to interact with the various cast members. 

Pinocchio is a wonderful family-friendly production for new and veteran theatergoers, and we highly recommend it. My 6 year old son "loved it," and we both agreed that Pinocchio stole the show. Kudos to young Viena "ViVi" Aiello who did a fantastic job of being a believable puppet and boy, as well as the rest of the cast - some of whom are new to the BCP stage.

Macaroni Tips:

• There is a municipal parking lot on Park Avenue, a side street off Kinderkamack Road just before the theater. There is also 3-hour street parking along Park Avenue. Do not park in the Bank parking lot next to the theater.
• The show is 60-minutes long with no intermission. 
• No food or drinks are allowed in the theater. Enjoy treats or a warm beverage at Cool Beans next door before or after the show.
• The intimate setting of the Little Firehouse makes the show's interactive features more enjoyable - no seat was too far from the action. There are booster seats available for the little ones.
• Be sure to have time to stay for the after-show meet and greet. It is a wonderful way to make the theater experience personable. Also check out some of the cool pictures and memorabilia and behind the scenes pictures adorning the walls of the theater. 
• The program has a section in the middle where you can keep the cast's autographs all in one place, making it a neat keepsake of the show.

Bergen County Player's Pinocchio runs through December 20, 2015 at the Little Firehouse Theater located on 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell. To purchase tickets, click here, call 201-261-4200 or visit the Box Office.