My Son Pinocchio Jnr: an extravaganza of musical magic

Over 300 students took to the stage with an impressive range of songs to engage both the ears and the heart: from the lyrical Empty Heart and the famous When You Wish Upon a Star, to the upbeat melodies in Rise and Shine, and the frenetic pace of Toys. This show had it all! 

With an amazing score by Academy Award winning composer Stephen Schwarz, the story rolled out across the stage with stunning backdrops and set pieces, crafted by illustrator Alison Smallwood and print specialist Janet Chakar.  The resplendent costumes created by designer Suzanne Wilding Hart evoked the Victorian era setting of the original story.  

The addition of the dance troupe to this year’s musical showcased different talents that enriched the storytelling on stage. Under the experienced guidance of choreographer, Rebecca Cavenagh, students with dance and acrobatic experience added starlight sparkle, marionette quirkiness, and carnival flair to the production.

Grandparent Annie Goodrich commented on what an impressive Junior School production it was. “It was a fantastic production, I love that all the students and staff are involved,” she said.

The colour and fun of the production also represented a journey of self development for our students. The Junior School and Gawura 2023 production was a wonderful culmination of hard work, teamwork, and laughter; just the right combination to challenge and inspire the students.

Director, Ben Milis said the musical was a great opportunity for many students who have not been part of a production before to take on smaller roles that develop their confidence.

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“Helping students realise and maximise their potential is always exciting, especially when you think back to the first rehearsal and realise how far they have come,” Ben said.

All students in Years 3 to 6 were involved, meaning a large number of students had the chance to be in this major production. Rev Emma Newling, Junior School and Gawura Chaplain and the 2023 Producer, reflected that the musical made a great contribution towards student character development. “It’s a time when students have to be courageous and step out of their comfort zones, not everyone likes being on stage, or feels comfortable dancing!” she said.

Having such a large number of students on stage needs a big support crew and Rev Newling says one of the best things about being the Producer was working with a huge range of people from across the school community. “I love being involved in an activity where I see a different side of the students I teach. I also really enjoy working with teaching staff, parents, and support and operations staff, as part of a huge team. Everyone has a part to play in supporting the cast to have a great experience.”

“It’s also a great space for students to see what self-control and persistence can produce, and to celebrate each other at the end of the production. Parents often comment that the musical production is something their child will always remember from their primary years.”

Mr Milis said that beyond developing confidence, was the challenge of acting, dancing, and singing all at once. “Having to combine all three elements at the same time is excellent for brain development,” he said.

Along the way the children also learned teamwork in spades. From sitting patiently in rehearsals and waiting their turn, to cheering on their friends, the whole rehearsal and production process involves understanding that each person is part of the bigger picture.

“One of the brilliant things about Pinocchio as a musical is that it requires both major and minor characters to tell the whole story,” Mr Milis explained. “I really emphasised this to students, and encouraged them to remember that we all play an important part and we need each other in order to bring the story to life.”

As a parent, Rev Newling thinks that the different angle of My Son Pinocchio Jr taps into the (almost) universal experience of parents. “The story explores Geppetto’s misplaced expectations of his son, Pinocchio, and follows Geppetto on a journey of discovering his son ‘for real’. Along the way he realises that neither of them is perfect, but their relationship is worth treasuring,” she reflected.

Thank you to everyone who came and supported the show! We certainly hope to have inspired the next generation of students to be courageous and take to the stage in 2025.