The beloved wooden boy from the days of Italian childrens’ stories and classic Disney movie is making a comeback in the form of OU’s musical theater program. My nose isn’t growing, so take my word that Pinocchio is being made into musical, which debuts Friday in the Weitzenhoffer Theatre.

“The Adventures of Pinocchio” is an original musical written and adapted specifically for a small group of OU’s musical theater majors. Broadway writers Brian Hill and Neil Bartram are the masterminds behind the production. Hill wrote and directed, while Bartram composed songs and wrote lyrics.

Musical theater senior Skyler Adams, who plays Pinocchio, said being the first to approach a new work is exciting.

“[It’s] a blast to work on brand new material that changes from day to day,” Adams said. “We are the first ones to tell this story.”

Bartram and Hill met for the first time in Chicago and have been working together ever since. The pair came to OU after being asked by professor of musical theater Paul Christman.

After debuting “The Adventures of Pinocchio” at OU, Bartram and Hill will then take the musical to Chicago to be performed.

This Pinocchio is not quite like the one people may remember from the Disney movie. The Pinocchio in this musical is much more selfish and self-involved than the Disney character is, said Bartram, who calls the character “a brat.”

The musical chronicles Pinocchio’s journey from “selfish young boy to a young man,” Bartram said.

“The Adventures of Pinocchio” is based on the book of the same name written by Carlo Collodi — the original Pinocchio tale.

“[It’s] getting back to the basic Italian story, and taking something so iconic and changing it up,” said musical theater senior Ryan Wood, who plays Geppetto.

If you go:
WHEN: 8:15 p.m. Friday and Saturday
WHERE: Weitzenhoffer Theatre, 563 Elm Ave.
COST: Free