Lighthouse Young Company delivers Pinocchio — with a twist

When you wish upon a star, you get Pinocchio — with a twist.

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The Lighthouse Young Company, a group of young local actors, will bring the children’s classic to the Port Dover stage for eight performances Wednesday to Saturday.

But this isn’t the wooden-puppet-turned-real-boy of the 1883 children’s novel, or even the 1940 Disney film.

This modern version, adapted and directed by Marcus Lundgren, includes video game play, Taylor Swift talk, and some new characters.

“We put in a lot of contemporary references, so it will work for all members of the family,” said Lundgren, who has been rehearsing with the cast and crew at Simcoe Little Theater for the past three weeks.

The Young Company gathered for the first time on Monday at the historic Lighthouse theater, a former town hall where the first show produced by local artists was thought to have happened 120 years ago.

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Like several of the actors, 11-year-old Ayla Schram of Port Ryerse takes on several parts in the play. She is Cleo, the fish; Sophia, the townsperson; Rotten Kid, and Taylor. Along with Beatrix Wyatt-Martin, who plays Swift, Ayla’s dialogue includes lots of references to the world’s favorite pop star.

“I live with a Swifty, so I’m kind of a fan,” said Ayla, who was introduced to the theater by her mother, who operates a drama school for kids. “I like bringing enjoyment to people. It gives you a good feeling inside.

“Also, I get to eat whipped cream in every show.”

Sixteen-year-old Kiana Littlemore of Simcoe is a veteran of Simcoe’s Young Theater Players and has been a performer since she was four.

The Simcoe Composite school student plays the part of Lucky, the duck, who, as a member of Honest John’s posse, is a con artist who puts Pinocchio on the wrong path in life.

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“Lucky is not a good influence,” said Kiana with a laugh. “Being in the Young Company is so much fun.”

Frances Crossley, 15, attends Mayfield Arts secondary school in Caledon, where she has performed in numerous musicals and plays. He takes on the role Honest John, the fox, the primary misleader of gullible Pinocchio.

“I like this company because they gather up a lot of nice people,” said Frances. “You can forget about everything else for a while and focus on one thing.”

Lundgren, artistic director of Toronto-based DuffleBag Theatre, has been spending part of his summer in Port Dover for the past 22 years working with the Lighthouse Young Company. Staging strictly fairytales, DuffleBag performs hundreds of shows a year across Canada and the United States.

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“This is a break from my work,” Lundgren said. “I love working with these funny, talented kids. They often stay in the company until they’re too old and alumni come back to join rehearsals and sit in the audience.”

The Lighthouse Young Company is open to those age 11 to 17 who audition in May by delivering a song, monologue or poem.

Founded in 1995 by Robert More, the program, held over three weeks in the summer, gives participants a glimpse into what being a professional actor is all about, from the audition process to the rehearsal hall and then performing on the Lighthouse Theater stage. Pinocchio has a cast of 15.

Performances are Wednesday at 11 am and 2 pm, Thursday at 2 pm and 7 pm, Friday at 2 pm and 7 pm, and Saturday at 11 am and 2 pm The 2 pm show on Thursday is a “relaxed performance” for those who would benefit from a more low-key experience. Tickets — available at lighthousetheatre.com/event/pinocchio — are $17 each or four for $60.

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