Sixty local performers shine in Pinocchio at The Biz

SUBMITTED PHOTO: (l to r) Adam Bedel, Christopher Petzer, Madison Carr, Madelynn Coy

SUBMITTED PRESS RELEASE

The Hendricks County area is filled with talented kids who love to perform.  The Biz Academy of Musical Theatre in Avon welcomes sixty children ages 6-12 from all over the area as they tell the tale of Pinocchio on stage February 26, 27, 28 and March 4 & 5.  

​In "Disney's My Son Pinocchio JR.," the classic tale of toymaker Geppetto’s little wooden puppet is given new life. This new musical, which retells the classic Disney story from Geppetto’s perspective, features the beloved classic songs “When You Wish Upon a Star” and “I’ve Got No Strings,” alongside a host of new songs by Oscar- and Grammy Award-winner Stephen Schwartz.

The show is directed and choreographed by The Biz co-owner Jeff VanParis.  Jaimie Riechman serves as music director and Aimee Albright is the stage manager for the production.  Adam Bedel from Plainfield portrays Pinocchio and is participating in his sixth musical production.  Audiences will also enjoy the Blue Fairy (Madelynn Coy from Clayton in her first production), Stromboli (Madison Carr of Plainfield in her sixth show), Geppetto (Christopher Petzer from Avon who has been in many shows in the past) and a lively cast of characters.  These young people will take you on a journey beyond the toyshop to discover the meaning of family. When the Blue Fairy grants Geppetto's wish to bring his beloved puppet to life, the new father quickly learns that being a parent is full of challenges, a lesson that all audiences can appreciate. He struggles to make his son "the perfect boy" only to lose him to a gang of Roustabouts. It is only when faced the thought of never seeing Pinocchio again that Geppetto truly learns the joys of being a father and loving his child unconditionally.

"Disney's My Son Pinocchio JR." performs at Harmony Baptist Church in Avon (5697 Broyles Rd) for 5 shows – February 26, 27, March 4 & 5 at 7pm and Sunday February 28 at 3pm.  Tickets are $12 for adults (16 & up) and $6 for kids (ages 5-15) and are available online at TheBiz-Academy.com.  

​The rest of the cast is filled with a fantastic mix of performers:  Austin Reed, Grant O’Meara, Graham Hartley, Kadence Roehm, Reagan Zmijewski, Kelsey Bennett, Vivian Rodkey, Ava Fritz, Wren Brown, Katie Hartley, Krista Mangram, Annalise Kirchoff, Lacey Amstadt, Olivia Swynenburg, Lilian Wendell, Terran Cordero, Cora Ross, Claire Hay, Ava Lee, Keelin Canada, Katie VanHooser, Olivia Stephens, Grace Bonness, Madeline Champine, Jack Lee, Faith Clark, Adele Beleckaite, Zainab Syed, MJ Blackwelder, Alaina Chew, Jordan Reynolds, Gracen Blackwelder, Paul Hamann, Aubree Gibbs, Stephen Beerbower, Nathan Beerbower, Olivia Champine, Keegan Turner-McQuinn, Lydia Stead, Olivia Smith, Rowan Libby Gabriella Fraizer, Ava Angle, Elleanor Jones, Lily Frazier, Anna Swynenburg, Isabelle Bedel, Anna Bedel, Lydia Beerbower, Noah Summers, Connor  McLaughlin, Maverick Osmun,  Madelyn Rytlewski,  Aimee Plachta, Kendall Shipp, and Sofia Appell.