Show History

History

Inspiration

David Stern and Stephen Schwartz completed a made-for-TV film, Disney's Geppetto, in 2000. Several years later, the idea for a stage musical adaptation came up. Much like the movie upon which it is based, Disney's My Son Pinocchio: Geppetto's Musical Tale is a retelling of the children's book, The Adventures of Pinocchio, but this story is told from Geppetto's perspective.

Bookwriter, David Stern, discovered a child-appropriate way to make the show stageworthy. Stern begins with Geppetto's challenge to the Blue Fairy and allows the rest of the story to be a kind of proof of Pinocchio's value. As with the film, when Pinocchio runs away to become a star in a traveling show, Geppetto must negotiate through a maze of adventures and comic encounters to find him.

Schwartz said in production notes for Disney's My Son Pinocchio: "I believe Disney's My Son Pinocchio is a show that is entertaining while at the same time dealing with such important themes as individuality, self-esteem and the relation of parents and children. I am pleased that the Coterie Theatre feels this is an important work. I have written several other shows and films that I believe have had a positive impact on young audiences, such as Disney's Pocahontas, Godspell, Children of Eden, and the current Broadway show Wicked. I believe Disney's My Son Pinocchio is a strong addition to this group."

Disney's My Son Pinocchio is a lighthearted spin on the classic Pinocchio story. The show now incorporates a new song not included in the 2000 Disney's Geppetto movie, along with "When You Wish upon A Star" and "I've Got No Strings" from the original Disney Pinocchio movie.

Productions

With a book by David Stern and featuring lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, as well as two songs from the original 1940 Disney film, Pinocchio, Disney's My Son Pinocchio premiered under its former name, Disney's Geppetto & Son, at The Coterie Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 27, 2006, where it ran until August 6, 2006.

It has subsequently had great success around the country at regional, community and educational theatres as the story of a beloved and familiar character.

Cultural Influence

  • In addition to Disney's My Son Pinocchio, MTI also licenses a Junior version of the show to be performed by children.