pinocchio script (1)

1PINOCCHIO

Adapted by Michele L. Vacca

Act 1Scene 1 Opening Town

(Overture music, setting: Late afternoon on quiet street in a small town by the sea. At center stage is Geppetto’s shop just outside the doorway he has a workbench set up. On display are a few samples of his woodcarving work. There is a wooden chair nearby, and a shabby coat hanging on a coat rack. In the center of the bench sits a life size puppet, Pinocchio. Also on the bench: a bowl of fruit, paint jars and brushes, and a “paper” jacket and hat. As the lights come up Geppetto appears, crosses to the bench, and begins working on his wonderful puppet, soon to be named Pinocchio.

As Geppetto works neighbors and other trades people who live and work nearby begin to appear. Children run past, shouting and laughing; some of them pausing to watch Geppetto at his work, even though everyone is bustling about quite noisily, Geppetto is so absorbed in his work he appears not to notice.)

ANGELINA: Read a book today! Fine books for sale!VITTORE: Used clothing for Sale! Almost new! A bargain!GIOVANNI: Candles! Buy candles today! My candles are the best in town! They last for hours!

(Serafina and Portia and Bernardo carry trays of their wares. Perhaps Angelina, Vittore, and Giovanni have small pushcarts that contain their wares.

Luigi, Lorenzo and Candlewick lounge idly nearby. Master Cherry passes by, waving and nodding to the others. Perhaps the cat and fox stroll by.)

SERAFINA I have flowers for Sale! Who will buy my beautiful fresh flowers?BERNARDO: Fresh baked bread! The finest bread in all of Italy!PORTIA: Pizza! Piping hot pizza for sale! The recipe is a secret known only to my family!

(As Giovanni, Angelina, Vittore, Serafina, Lorenzo, Luigi and Candlewick, gather around the food vendors eagerly, the children rush in. Francesca and Santino cross to Geppetto.)

FRANCESCA: Hello, Master Geppetto. Is that a new puppet?MARIO: (Points off) Look everyone!SANTINO: What’s going on?SOFIA: It’s a carnival coming to town!MARIO: And there’s a bi puppet show, too!GUIDO: Let’s go see!GINA: Follow me!FRANCESCA(As the others dash off) Wait! Wait for me!

(The children noisily exit, followed by Lorenzo, Luigi and Candlewick. As they go they almost topple Vittore and tip over his pushcart of used clothing.)

VITTORE: (To the children.) Be careful! Watch where you’re going! Little ruffians.Bringer/Pinocchio 1

2SERAFINA: (To Vittore.) Are you all right, Vittore?

(Angelina and the others help Vittore gather up his wares.)

GIOVANNI: Ah, Bernardo, today your bread smells even better than usual.BERNARDO: A loaf for you? Or two, perhaps?GIOVANNI: (Checking his pockets for money) Maybe later. Let me see if I can sell a few candles to

Geppetto. Giovanni, you know poor Geppetto has no money to buy candles.BERNARDO: Or bread.PORTIA: Or pizza.SERAFINA: Or flowers.GIOVANNI: Sad, but true. Poor Geppetto.ALL: (With a sigh) Poor Geppetto.ANGELINA: But I can buy some candles from you, Giovanni.GIOVANNI: (Eagerly) How many? Ten? Twenty? ANGELINA: I think perhaps three – no four- no, three will do. Will you trade the candles for a fine

used book about the history of Rome? (Hands him a thick book)GIOVANNI: (Gives it back to her) I’d rather have the money.

(As Angelina and Giovanni conduct their business, Vittore, approaches Portia)

Ah Signora Portia, I see your shawl needs mending.PORTIA: It does?VITTORE: See? (Shows her the tear)PORTIA: Can you fix it for me, Vittore?VITTORE: Of course. Am I not the best tailor in town?BERNARDO: (Aside to th4e others.) “Of course.” He’s the only tailor in town.ALL: (Laugh.)VITTORE: (Ignoring them, addresses Portia.) I will even make you a very fine price.PORTIA: Oh? And how “fine” a price is that?VITTORE: Two slices of your magnificent pizza.PORTIA: Two??VITTORE: Well, make it three – and I will load you a jacket to wear wile I’ll fix your shawl.PORTIA: It’s a bargain.BERNARDO: (Crossing to Geppetto.) Geppetto? Would you like to try some of my fine fresh bread?GEPPETTO: (Not haring, he continues to work.)BERNARDO: Geppetto!GEPPETTO: (Still working) What?BERNARDO: Bread. It’s a good batch today. Would you like some?GEPPETTO: Oh. No, not now, Bernardo. Thank you.BERNARDO: (Shrugs, to the others) I tried.SERAFINA: Bernardo, you know Geppetto has no money to spare.BERNARDO: I know that. I was trying to give him some bread.GIOVANNI: He would never take it.PORTIA: He’s too proud.GIOVANNI: Sad, but true. Poor Geppetto.ALL: (with a sigh.) Poor Geppetto.ANGELINA: He sold me all of his books so he could buy paint for that puppet. (Points to Pinocchio)SERAFINA He sold his books? What a shame.PORTIA: Poor Geppetto.

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3VITTORE: Now all he has left is that shabby coat.SERAFINA: And his beautiful puppets and toys-BERNARDO: - that no one will buy.SERAFINA: I would buy them –if I could. But first – someone has to buy my flowers.GIOVANNI: Well, I for one have no money for puppets – or flowers.VITTORE: Nor do I.ANGELINA: Poor Geppetto.PORTIA: (To Angelina and Serafina as she gestures toward Geppetto.) he has no family, you

know.BERNARDO: Well, I do. And if I don’t sell my brad my wife and my eight children and my twenty-

five cousins will go hungry.GIOVANNI: It’s late. Look, the sun is setting.VITTORE: So it is. And I have work to finish before dark.

(Bernardo, Giovanni and Vittore hurry off stage. The three women continue to watch Geppetto as he works.)

PORTIA: (Sighs) Poor Geppetto.ANGELINA: (Sighs) He’s all alone.SERAFINA: (Sighs) He has no one to call his own.

(They go off stage. Suddenly the children dash back on stage, shouting and laughing excitedly.)

MARIO: You see? I told you – it’s a carnival!GINA: And I want to be the first to tell everyone all about it!GUIDO: I want to be the first!SOPHIA: It’s not your turn! It’s my turn!

(Mario and Gina race off, followed by Guido and Sofia. Francesca pulls Santino aside. They watch Geppetto work.)

FRANCESCA: Look, Santino.SANTINO: I see.FRANCESCA: That’s a wonderful puppet, Master Geppetto.SANTINO: He didn’t hear you.MARIO: (Off) Francesca! Santino! Come on!

(They hurry off stage to join the others. Geppetto is briefly alone at last.)

GEPPETTO: (As he works) A little paint here. And a little there. Ah! Ah, yes. Almost finished, little puppet. Oh, the children will love you. You look almost real, almost alive. And so handsome. (Stops working.) If only – if only- you were real, little puppet. A real boy. Ah, how wonderful that would be. If I had a real boy, a son, a son of my own. What a foolish dream. I’m a foolish old man. I must finish the puppet….

Scene 2 A Cherry Visit(As Geppetto works, his good friend, Master Cherry, the jovial carpenter, enters)

M. CHERRY: Geppetto! Geppetto! Old friend!GEPPETTO: Master Cherry! Come and sit down, my friend. How’s the carpentry business?

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4M. CHERRY: God. Good. People always need chairs and tables. How’s business for you?GEPPETTO: Slow my friend, slow. People don’t need puppets as much as they need chairs and

tables.M. CHERRY: I keep telling you, Geppetto, you should go into business with me. If we were partners,

there would be work for both of us. Then you wouldn’t have to wear such a shabby coat.

GEPPETTO: I am not ungrateful, my friend, but I enjoy woodcarving.M. CHERRY: Bah!GEPPETTO: And this puppet – this puppet- is the best work I’ve ever done.M. CHERRY: (Looks at the puppet – shrugs.) It’s a nice puppet.

GEPPETTO: Nice? Nice??? He’s beautiful! Magnificent! Stupendous!M. CHERRY: It’s just a puppet.

GEPPETTO: Just a puppet?M. CHERRY: I supposed you will plan to make this puppet dance and sing and leap like an acrobat.GEPPETTO: (Growing angry.) That’s right. This will be the most amazing puppet anyone has ever

been. When it is finished, we will travel all over the world, and make a nice little fortune.

M. CHERRY: Geppetto, my friend, stop your dreaming. That is a ridiculous idea.GEPPETTO: It is not!M. CHERRY: Of course it is.GEPPETTO: It’s a wonderful idea.M. CHERRY: But it will never work out. Geppetto, my friend, you spend too much time alone. You

do not know what is real and what is not.GEPPETTO: I do so!M. CHERRY: You do not!GEPPETTO: I do so!M. CHERRY: You do not!GEPPETTO: I DO SO!M. CHERRY: YOU DO NOT!

(As their childish argument continues they square off, raise their fists, and prepare to fight, suddenly they stop when Master Cherry laughs.)

M. CHERRY: Ha! Ha! Ha!GEPPETTO: (still angry) and what is so funny?M. CHERRY: (Laughs) Come, come, Geppetto, let’s not argue. Two old friends like us. It’s silly.GEPPETTO: (smiles) true enough, my friend. (Laughs) We’re a pair of old fools.M. CHERRY: Not that old.GEPPETTO: Old enough to know better.M. CHERRY: Perhaps. I still wish you’d forget this foolish idea about your ‘wonderful’ puppet.GEPPETTO: It’s not foolish!M. CHERRY: A man of your age wandering from place to place with a puppet. You should go into a

more stable business.ALL: (agreement)GEPPETTO: Like yours?M. CHERRY: Like mine. And what’s wrong with that?ALL: Right. What’s wrong with that?GEPPETTO: I don’t want to.

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5M. CHERRY: (Angry again.) Then you’re an old fool!GEPPETTO: (Angry also) It takes one to know one!M. CHERRY: Oh, it does, does it?GEPPETTO: And I’m going to finish this puppet, and it will be the most fantastic puppet the world

has ever seen.M. CHERRY: I’ll believe it when I see it!GEPPETTO: You’ll see it!M. CHERRY: (starts to go) Ha! Let me know when you’ve made your fortune! (Laughs) A dancing

puppet! That will be the day!GEPPETTO: (Shaking his fist). You’ll see! Just wait! You’ll see! Then you’ll laugh out of the other

side of your face! You old fool!(Master Cherry exits)

GEPPETTO: Ah, I shouldn’t have called him an old fool.

GEPPETTO: (to himself) Maybe I’m the fool. He’s my oldest friend. Who knows? Maybe he’s right. Maybe I can’t make such a wonderful puppet. Maybe no one could. It’s late, and I’m tired. (To the puppet) I’ll finish you tomorrow, little one. (Looks up) Ah, what a wonderful star. (To puppet) Why do I talk to you? You’re only wood. A wooden puppet. And I’m just a lonely, foolish old man. Good night, little one.

Scene 3 Pinocchio and the Fairy (He exits into the back of the shop to go to bed. The lights dim. Soft music plays. The blue fairy enters. She is a kindly woman of an indefinite age and she is, of course, very beautiful.)

BLUE FAIRY: (speaks to the audience.) Poor Geppetto. He is so lonely and so sad. He makes the children laugh with his puppets and toys, but he does not laugh himself. He wants to make a wonderful puppet that can dance and sing, so that he will not be lonely any more. Shall I give Geppetto his wish? (Various audience responses.) Very well. Now what shall I name this little puppet? Will you help me? (Reactions from the audience.) Pinocchio? Very well, Pinocchio shall be his name? (To the puppet) Pinocchio? Little Puppet, open your eyes. Move your head. Now your arms. Now your legs. Speak. Pinocchio?

(Pinocchio has moved stiffly at her command. Now he looks at her.)

PINOCCHIO: Pinocchio?FAIRY: You are Pinocchio. That is your name.PINOCCHIO: Name?FAIRY: Yes, Pinocchio.PINOCCHIO: (Trying it out.) Pinocchio.FAIRY: YesPINOCCHIO: (Like the name very much.) Pinocchio! Pinocchio~ Pinocchio! FAIRY: (Laughs) I am glad you like your name.PINOCCHIO: But who are you?FAIRY: I am the godmother of all little puppets. I am your friend, Pinocchio.PINOCCHIO: Friend?FAIRY: You will understand in time, Pinocchio.PINOCCHIO: (still playing with his name.) I am Pinocchio! Pinocchio! Pinocchio! (He laughs)FAIRY: Now, little puppet, you must listen to me for a moment.

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6PINOCCHIO: Listen?FAIRY: Yes, Be a good puppet for Geppetto, and perhaps someday he will have a son after all.PINOCCHIO: I don’t understand. FAIRY: Sometimes a puppet who obeys his father and learns to tell the truth wakes up one

morning and finds he has become a real boy. PINOCCHIO: Oh. What is “obey?” What is “ tell – tell- the – tell –the - ?”FAIRY: The truth, Pinocchio. Before I go, I will give you two things, which will help you

understand. First, I give you a magical nose –PINOCCHIO: Nose?FAIRY: (points to his nose) Nose.PINOCCHIO: (delighted.) Nose! My nose! Magical nose?FAIRY: Yes, Pinocchio. It will grow to the size of the falsehoods you tell.PINOCCHIO: Oh.FAIRY: Secondly, I leave you someone who will help you learn to be a good puppet.PINOCCHIO: (looking around) who? Who? Who?FAIRY: You’ll see. He will speak to you in time. Goodbye, Pinocchio. (She gives him a “baby

bye-bye” type of wave.)PINOCCHIO: (Sorry to see her go) Good – bye?FAIRY: I won’t be far away. I’ll be watching you, little puppet. Goodbye. (Using the same

wave as before)

PINOCCHIO: (He waves back to her – except that his wave is reversed; it looks as though he is waving to himself, since that is how her wave appears to him.) Good –bye… (She is gone, and Pinocchio is growing sleepy. As he falls asleep, he speaks aloud.) Pinocchio…I am Pinocchio…Pinocchio.,.(He is asleep)

Scene 4 A Father Meets His Son(The lights come up gradually: sunrise. It is the next day. Perhaps some of the various townspeople appear in brief crossovers. After a moment Geppetto enters, yawning. Pinocchio is very still and quiet on the table, just as he was when Geppetto went to bed.)

GEPPETTO: What a wonderful morning. Look at the sun. Good morning, little one. You’re almost finished. I’ll put your hat on. (He does so.) There. Very handsome. Let’s see now. You need a little more paint. I’d bête turn your head this way. (He tilts Pinocchio’s head.) That’s the right color. (As Geppetto turns away, reaching for his pain, Pinocchio turns his head the opposite way.)

GEPPETTO: No, I – (sees Pinocchio’s head turned.) I’m certain I turned your head the other way. Oh, well. (He tilts Pinocchio’s head back in the Original direction.) Where’s my brush?

(As Geppetto looks for his brush, Pinocchio turns his head again, and crosses one leg over his other knee.)

GEPPETTO: Her it is! No, I can – (stares at Pinocchio.) I don’t understand. I know I turned your head the other way. And your leg wasn’t crossed like that. (Walks away, shaking his head.) I must be losing my mind.

PINOCCHIO: Papa?

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7GEPPETTO: (Looks around). What was that? Now, I’m hearing things. Master Cherry is right. I’ve

been working too hard. I’ll finish you, little one, and then I’ll rest. (Starts to work, then pauses.) You know – I haven’t named you yet, have I? (He turns away.)

(Pinocchio nods and agrees, at though Geppetto doesn’t see this.)

GEPPETTO: I wonder what name I should give you. Let me think. (Starts to pace.) Maybe I will call you –

PINOCCHIO: Pinocchio!GEPPETTO: Yes, Pinocchio is a nice name.PINOCCHIO: Pinocchio!GEPPETTO: You like that name, do you? Pinocchio is a good name. PINOCCHIO: Pinocchio!GEPPETTO: Very well, Pinocchio it is. Now, I – (he does a large double take and begins to stutter

and stammer.) I – I – I – I –you _ you _ you_ c – c- can talk!PINOCCHIO: (agrees.) Talk.GEPPETTO: (overwhelmed.) This is wonderful! A miracle! Oh, I’m so happy! You can talk!PINOCCHIO: Talk. Talk. Talk.GEPPETTO: (Laughs happily.) Yes… (Collecting himself somewhat.) Well, Pinocchio, let us see if

you can walk.PINOCCHIO: Walk?GEPPETTO: I’ll teach you. Here, let me help you off the table. There. Now. Stand on your own two

feet. (He holds Pinocchio upright.)PINOCCHIO: (Looks at feel.) Two feet. GEPPETTO: Yes. Two feet.PINOCCHIO: My own two feet.GEPPETTO: Now lift one foot in the air. (Shows him.)PINOCCHIO: Up there?GEPPETTO: (Helps him.) Then take a step - forward.PINOCCHIO: (as he steps.) Forward. GEPPETTO: Good, Pinocchio. Now, lift the other foot and take another step.PINOCCHIO: (As he does so.,) Forward!GEPPETTO: (Guiding him.) If you learn to take one step at a time, you will always get where you

want to go.PINOCCHIO: (taking tentative steps.) If – I – learn – to – take – one – step – at – a –time, I will

always get where I want to go! (He has starting going faster, and stumbles.)GEPPETTO: (Catches him.) Be careful, Pinocchio.PINOCCHIO: (As he walks around the room.) Look, Pap! I’m walking!GEPPETTO: I see!PINOCCHIO: I’m walking! Look! (He starts going in increasingly faster and faster circles.,) I can

walk and walk and walk and walk and walk. And I can talk and talk and talk. I can walk and talk and talk and walk and talk and –

GEPPETTO: Wait! Stop, Pinocchio! You can’t walk and talk all the time. You must be careful not to hurt yourself. You’re made of wood, you know.

PINOCCHIO: Oh. Are you made of wood?GEPPETTO: No.PINOCCHIO: Why am I?GEPPETTO: Because you are a puppet, little one. You’re not a real boy.PINOCCHIO: Why?GEPPETTO: Real boys grow up to be men.

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8PINOCCHIO: Will I grow up?GEPPETTO: No, Pinocchio, you will always be a puppet.PINOCCHIO: Oh.GEPPETTO: But you will be the finest puppet in the whole world. And the smartest. I’ll send you to

school. PINOCCHIO: School?GEPPETTO: (Thinking out loud) You’ll need some books. Where will I find the money? (Picks up

his nearby coat) I’ll have to sell my coat.PINOCCHIO: “Coat”? What is “coat?”GEPPETTO: A coat is – well, it’s to keep you warm.PINOCCHIO: Warm?GEPPETTO: You see, Pinocchio, when the north wind blows, and the snow falls, and there’s ice all

over the ground, you need a coat to keep you warm.PINOCCHIO: Oh. Do I have to keep warm?GEPPETTO: No, little one. You are made of wood, so you don’t need a coat to keep you warm.

Now, Pinocchio, I’m going to buy your schoolbooks. You wait here, and I’ll be back very soon. (To Pinocchio who has started to follow him.) No, wait there, Pinocchio. (He takes his coat and waves sentimentally to Pinocchio as he leaves Pinocchio alone.) Goodbye, Pinocchio….

PINOCCHIO: (Waves back; this is something he knows how to do!) Goodbye, Papa.

Scene 5 Coat for Sale (While Pinocchio looks curiously about, Vittore appears on the street, Geppetto waves to him.)

GEPPETTO: Vittore! Wait!VITTORE: Good morning. Geppetto. What can I do for you today?

(Geppetto hands his coat to Vittore, who takes it, looks it over and gestures for Geppetto to follow him. They exit.)

PINOCCHIO: (Alone.) Coat. Warm School? I don’t want to go to school I’ll run away. (He starts to walk in circles again.) I can walk and talk and walk and talk and walk and talk and walk and talk –

Scene 6 Pinocchio’s Conscience CRICKET: Pinocchio?PINOCCHIO: (Stops) What was that?CRICKET: Pinocchio!PINOCCHIO: Where are you?CRICKET: Over her. On the ground.PINOCCHIO: Over here? (Follows sound of voice.) Oh! (When he “sees” the cricket.) Who are you?CRICKET: I am the talking Cricket.PINOCCHIO: Cricket? Cricket! (Delighted, he reaches to grab the cricket in his hand.) Cricket!CRICKET: Careful!PINOCCHIO: Oh. (stops) What do you want?CRICKET: I just want to tell you something. (In a stern, quite melodramatic way) Woe, I say, woe

to puppets who disobey their fathers and run away from home!!PINOCCHIO: But I don’t want to go to school. I want to run away.

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9CRICKET: (In the same voice) then you will grow up to be a little donkey, and everyone will

laugh at you. It’s better to go to school and learn a trade. Then you could earn an honest living, and repay Geppetto for his kindness to you.

(Unseen by Pinocchio, Geppetto appears with Angeline. He hands her some coins and she gives him a large colorful book. When Angelina goes off, Geppetto opens the book carefully and admires it.)

PINOCCHIO: Learn a trade? But I want to play.CRICKET: Poor Pinocchio.PINOCCHIO: Why do you say that?CRICKET: You’ll see. You’ll see. (The voice fades away)

Scene 7 Learning to Read

PINOCCHIO: Where are you? Where did you go? Cricket? Cricket? Cricket? (Continues to search.) GEPPETTO: (Returning to the workbench area frantic at first when he doesn’t see Pinocchio)

Pinocchio! Pinocchio? (Bumps into Pinocchio who is still looking for the cricket.) Oh! There you are. Look, Pinocchio, I have a surprise for you.

PINOCCHIO: A surprise?GEPPETTO: (Shows him) A brand new spelling book.PINOCCHIO: Spelling book. (Grabs it)GEPPETTO: (takes it gently back, and shows Pinocchio the proper way to handle a book.) It’s a

book of words. Words that you will learn to read.PINOCCHIO: Words?GEPPETTO: Many words.PINOCCHIO: To read.GEPPETTO: Yes, to read.PINOCCHIO: (Opens book, points to page.) Word?GEPPETTO: Yes that’s “dog”.PINOCCHIO: Dog. (Points again) Is that a word?GEPPETTO: That’s “cat”.PINOCCHIO: Cat. (Gasps and points again.) Is that a word?GEPPETTO: That’s a difficult word. Hippopotamus.PINOCCHIO: (tries it) Hippa – hippa- hippa- hippa- hippa- hippa –hippa – hippa (gives up. Points to

another word.) Is that a word?GEPPETTO: That’s “coat”.PINOCCHIO: Coat. Coat! Like your coat, Papa. Papa? Where did your coat go? (Looking for it) It’s

gone. Where is it?GEPPETTO: I sold it, Pinocchio.PINOCCHIO: Sold it?GEPPETTO: It was too hot, anyway. Besides –PINOCCHIO: Besides?GEPPETTO: I needed the money.PINOCCHIO: Why?GEPPETTO: To buy your – spelling book.PINOCCHIO: Oh, Papa! (Hugs him)GEPPETTO: I want you to have the books all the other boys will have. You can’t go to school

without books.PINOCCHIO: Papa, I love you!

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10GEPPETTO: I love you too, Pinocchio. (They hug each other. Then Geppetto pulls out an enormous

handkerchief and blows his nose very loudly. Then he pulls himself together.) Now, Pinocchio, it’s time for you to go to school here’s a new jacket I made for you. It’s made of fine paper. (After some difficulty, not surprising with a new father, Geppetto manages to put the jacket on him.) Let me look at you. Very nice. Let me straighten your hat. There. Now, here is your spelling book. Put it under your arm. Now, off to school. And Pinocchio, remember, to pay close attention to the teacher.

PINOCCHIO: Pay attention.GEPPETTO: The teacher will teach you many things; to read and write, and do arithmetic. Then you

can learn a trade. Now be careful, Pinocchio. Come straight home after school.PINOCCHIO: Straight home.GEPPETTO: Off you go. Oh, wait. Here, Pinocchio. An apple for your teacher.PINOCCHIO: Apple!GEPPETTO: Yes. Apple.PINOCCHIO: For the teacher.GEPPETTO: Yes, Pinocchio. Remember to come straight home after school.PINOCCHIO: Yes, Papa.GEPPETTO: Goodbye, Pinocchio. (Waving goodbye.) Goodbye.PINOCCHIO: (Waves back.) Goodbye, Papa.GEPPETTO: (waves) Goodbye. (With a sentimental sigh he goes off into the back of the shop.) PINOCCHIO: (now alone, speaks to the audience.) Apple. For the teacher. I’m going to school. I can

walk and talk and walk and talk. It’s a beautiful day to go to school and walk and talk and walk and –school? I don’t want to go to school. (He stops.)

Scene 8 Off to School!

CRICKET: Pinocchio!PINOCCHIO: It’s the Cricket! Where are you?CRICKET: Over here. On the ground. I’m going to school with you.PINOCCHIO: (Looking down at Cricket.) Do crickets go to school?CRICKET: Some of us do.PINOCCHIO: Well, I’ve decided not to go.CRICKET: What?!! After your poor papa sold his only coat! Just to buy you’re a spelling book?PINOCCHIO: (stops to think, sighs.) That’s true. Poor Papa.CRICKET: Why not try school?PINOCCHIO: Well, all right. I’ll try. Today I’ll learn how to read words, and tomorrow I’ll learn all

about writing and the next day I’ll learn about – about – what was that other thing?CRICKET: Arithmetic.PINOCCHIO: Arithmetic. Then I’ll learn a trade and buy my papa new coat!CRICKET: Let’s go. We’ll be late.PINOCCHIO: (starts to go.) I’m off to school! Off to school! Off to school! Come on, Cricket (he

goes).CRICKET: Wait for me! Pinocchio! Pinocchio!

(Transitional music plays. If there is a set change here perhaps some of the other characters appear in brief crossovers to provide visual interest while it occurs.

Scene 9 Meet Fox and CatThe cat and the fox enter. They are both somewhat tattered and hungry looking. )

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11CAT: (following the Fox, who ignores him.) I’m hungry. I said, I’m hungry. Hey, I’m

hungry.FOX: I heard you. I’m hungry, too. How much money do we have?CAT: Well, I don’t have any.FOX: What? I gave you a whole penny yesterday. What did you do with it? You alley cat!CAT: I don’t know. I lost it, I guess.FOX: You lost our last penny? You sniveling, spendthrift, simpering-you scoundrel! You

sardine head!CAT: I didn’t mean to lose it. Honest.FOX: Honest? Honest? Ugh! Disgusting word. (Mocking him) You didn’t mean to lose it.

Ha! Well, the fact remains that we must have some money. Soon. The sooner the better.

CAT: Because I’m hungry.FOX: You’re always hungry. (Sighs dramatically) You know, I cannot understand-why

someone so handsome and talented and delightful as myself cannot make a suitable living. It’s tragic. How, I ask you, ho can I live in a style that befits a gentlemen of my position and expensive taste. Ah, ‘tis sad.

CAT: (Tugs on Fox’s sleeve.) Maybe you ought to get a job.FOX: A what?CAT: Well, it was only an idea.FOX: A job? You mean – work? Every day? With regular hours?CAT: No, huh?FOX: A job indeed! What an insult. No one in my family has ever had a job. And I certainly

don’t intend to spoil a perfect record. A job, indeed! (Smiles) However, if there’s a way to get something for nothing-

CAT: You’ll get it!FOX: Right!CAT: I’m still hungry.FOX: (as Pinocchio appears) Aha! What do my eyes perceive?CAT: (Looking around.) What? Where? Is it something to eat?FOX: No, tuna breath. (Points) It’s a puppet! A live puppet! A living breathing wooden-head.

A walking, talking toothpick!PINOCCHIO: (who does not see them) I’m off to school! I can walk and talk and walk and talk and –CAT: Here he comes!FOX: Shhh! (As Pinocchio passes, the fox trips him.) My dear young man! A thousand

pardons, Mr. – ah –PINOCCHIO: Pinocchio.FOX: Ah – Mr. Pinocchio. Charming name, isn’t it, Sidney?CAT: Yeah. Sure.PINOCCHIO: Thank you.FOX: (To Pinocchio.) Allow me to introduce myself to you. My name is Sandor S. Swindle.

The “S” stands for Sincere., That’s me.CAT: (With a wave) I’m Sidney.PINOCCHIO: How do you do, Sidney. And Mr. Sw –Sw- Sw- ah- Sw-FOX: Swindle, lad. Sandor Swindle. Tell me, my lad, what can we take you for?PINOCCHIO: Huh?FOX: I mean – ah- that is – my dear young lad, where were you going in such a hurry? You

were going so fast, so remarkably quickly, that I would hazard a guess, merely hazard, you understand – that you were going in the wrong direction.

PINOCCHIO: I’m on my way to school.Bringer/Pinocchio 11

12FOX: What? School? Nonsense, isn’t it, Sidney?CAT: Yeah.FOX: Complete and utter nonsense.CAT: Yeah.FOX: Why should a bright young lad like yourself go to – ugh-school?PINOCCHIO: My papa told me to go to school and learn a trade.FOX: Oh, come now. You’re much too talented to waste your time in school.PINOCCHIO: I am?FOX: Of course, my lad. Why, with a face like that –CAT: Look at that face!FOX: With a face like that, you could be an actor. Right, Sidney?CAT: Yeah, sure.PINOCCHIO: An actor? You really think so?FOX: No doubt about it.PINOCCHIO: An actor! Oh, Papa will be so proud of me! Is that a trade?CAT: It’s a rough trade.FOX: (to cat) Hush!CAT: (to Pinocchio) Gee, that’s a nice apple.PINOCCHIO: It’s for my teacher. CAT: Do you think I could have a bite?PINOCCHIO: Well, I –FOX: Let me see that apple. (takes apple) Hum. Very nice. Um (takes a bite) Yum. Delicious,

no Mackintosh. Um, yes, this is a good one.CAT: Can I have a bite?FOX: (Still crunching) Um. Yes. Good.PINOCCHIO: (Reaching for the apple.) But that’s for my teacher.FOX: Not any more. (tosses it off stage) Besides, you don’t need it now. You’re going to be a

great actor. (Watching the apple sail off into the horizon.,) Can I have a bite?FOX: (Totally ignoring Sidney as he speaks to Pinocchio) There’s a puppet show nearby that

would jump at the chance to have an actor such as yourself. You’ll be a great success, take my word for it. WE will make a fortune!

CAT: Now I get it.PINOCCHIO: We?FOX: Naturally I’ll have to charge a small fee for my trouble. But you’ll have so much

money, you’ll hardly miss it.PINOCCHIO: Oh, I could surprise my papa! With all that money I could buy him a lot of new coats!FOX: Right you are, my boy. Ah, to be an actor, what a life. To tread the boards, to entertain

thousands of screaming, adoring fans. (to the audience) I love you all. (to Pinocchio) I’ve done a bit of acting myself, you know.

CAT: (to Fox) You have?FOX: (aside to cat) Quiet, you fool. We’re going to make a fortune from this little wooden

headed pipsqueak.PINOCCHIO: Were you really an actor?FOX: Was I an actor?CAT: Well, were you?FOX: Just watch!

(Laughs and launches into a song/dance routine. Sidney joins in the dance while Pinocchio watches. After the “big finish” Pinocchio simply follows them offstage.)


13Scene 10 The Puppet Show Comes

(Carnival music plays. The barker for the puppet show enters, overseeing any set changes that need to be made with Lorenzo and Luigi acting as stagehands. As soon as the stage is ready, the barker begins calling the “crowd” to “come and see the show”.

When the Barker begins his spiel, vendors appear – Candlewick selling balloons, Lorenzo and Luigi selling candy and souvenirs. Bernardo, Portia and Serafina appear selling bread, pizza, and flowers.

Some or all of the puppet performers also appear during the Barker’s spiel, as an inducement to the crowd to buy tickets for the “show”

All other adult and child characters appear as part of the “crowds” who have come to see the show.)

Candlewick: Balloons! Balloons!!LORENZO: Candy! Ice Cream! Popcorn!LUIGI: Souvenirs! Buy your souvenirs here!BARKER: Right this way, ladies and gentlemen. Right this way. See the world’s greatest puppet

show. See the puppets dance and sing. Laugh with them. Cry with them. Right this way. See the great Fire-Eater.

(The cat and fox enter, followed by Pinocchio. The barker addresses them.)

BARKER: Right this way, folks. See the great puppet show.PINOCCHIO: Oh, I want to see.CAT: Yeah, me too.FOX: So would I. However, there is a small problem. I am temporarily without funds.CAT: Huh?FOX: No money, tuna breath.CAT: Oh, yeah. (they retire to ponder their next move)LUIGI: Souvenirs! Get your souvenirs right here. (to Pinocchio.) Hey, you wanna buy a

souvenir, kid?PINOCCHIO: Well, I –FOX: (Has an inspiration.) Aha! (To Pinocchio) Excuse me, my lad, do you happen to have

any money for a small load perhaps – until my ship comes in. PINOCCHIO: I don’t have any loans. All I have is my spelling book.FOX: (grabs book.) Aha! Let me see!PINOCCHIO: Wait! Please don’t take my spelling book.

(The cat and fox toss the book back and forth over Pinocchio’s head. Their voices rise in volume.)

BARKER: (To cat and fox and Pinocchio) HEY! You’re making too much noise over there.FOX: (to Barker) Ah, my good man, you must be the world famous showman who is known

and adored by all theater lovers.BARKER: Huh?FOX: Sir, my friends and I would like to see your magnificent puppet show, but we are

temporarily without the price of admission.BARKER: No dough, no show.FOX: (to the cat.) We have a problem here.


14CAT: Yeah.

(They retire to think things over. Candlewick approaches with a handful of balloons to sell. Pinocchio is fascinated by the bright colors of the balloons.)

CANDLEWICK: Balloons! Balloons! (to Pinocchio,) Hey! Want a balloon? Two for a penny or five for a dime.

PINOCCHIO: I don’t have any pennies.CANDLEWICK: To bad. (walks away) Balloons!FOX: (having another inspiration) Aha! (to the Barker) Ah – Sir, don’t you need some

assistance taking tickets?BARKER: No!FOX: Perhaps you are in need of an extra pair of paws backstage?BARKER: No! If you want to see the show, you got to pay.FOX: (to the cat) He’s a scoundrel!CAT: Yeah. (they retire once again to ponder)LORENZO: Candy! Popcorn! Ice Cream! (to Pinocchio) Hey! You want some candy?PINOCCHIO: Well, I –FOX: (Inspired again) Aha! (To Barker) Then, my good man, how would you like to make a

little deal.BARKER: What kind of a “deal”?FOX: (points to Pinocchio) See that little puppet over there?BARKER: (shrugs) So? What about him?FOX: No strings. Right?BARKER: (Doing a double take.) Say, that’s right.FOX: For a small fee you could have him in your show. I have a great deal of influence with

him. BARKER: How small a fee?FOX: We can discuss details later.BARKER: Yes, yes. Won’t you folks be my guests? Go on and see the show.FOX: Thank you, Sir. You are a gentleman and a scholar.CAT: Yeah.BARKER: Step this way.CAT: Have you got anything to eat in there?BARKER: There’s some popcorn on the floor.

(When the fox and the cat go into the puppet theater the performing puppets, the rest of the crowd and the vendors go inside, too. Pinocchio doesn’t notice until a moment has going by that only the barker and Candlewick remain on stage.)

PINOCCHIO: Sidney? Mr. Swindle? Where are you? (To Barker.) Did you see my friends? Where did they go?

BARKER: They’ll be back in a minute. (Motions Candlewick aside) Keep an eye on this puppet for me, will you?

CANDLEWICK: Sure.

(The Barker goes inside presumably to make the ”deal” with the fox. Pinocchio and Candlewick are alone.)

PINOCCHIO: (points to sign.) What does that say?CANDLEWICK: Can’t you read? It says “The Great Puppet Theater”PINOCCHIO: Oh. Puppet Theater. Are there many puppets in there?CANDLEWICK: Sure. Lots of them. They dance and sing. (He demonstrates.)


15PINOCCHIO: Oh, have they started yet?CANDLEWICK: It’s beginning now.PINOCCHIO: (starts to rush into the theater.) Oh, I’m going to see the puppets.CANDLEWICK: Wait! You have to pay to go in there. You said you don’t have any pennies.PINOCCHIO: I have to pay?CANDLEWICK: Sure. Nothing’s free, you know.PINOCCHIO: Oh. Do you have any pennies?CANDLEWICK: (Suspiciously) Why?PINOCCHIO: Do you think I could have some of your pennies?CANDLEWICK: (Laughs) No. Not today.PINOCCHIO: Well, then how many pennies would you give me for my jacket?CANDLEWICK: What would I do with a paper jacket?PINOCCHIO: But I want to see the puppets! (Then he holds out his book) How many pennies would

you give me for my spelling book?(Unseen by the boys the Barker has reentered. He stands listening.)

CANDLEWICK: Spelling book? What do I want with a spelling book?PINOCCHIO: But it’s brand new!BARKER: You want to sell your spelling book, lad?PINOCCHIO: Yes, yes, I do! I want to see the puppets dance and sign. It’s a brand new spelling book.

Do you want it?BARKER: Well, I’ll tell you what I’m gonna do. I’ll trade you a ticket for this spelling book. PINOCCHIO: You will? Oh, that’s wonderful. Here. Oh, thank you, Sir. Thank you! (he dashes

toward the entrance of the theater).BARKER: Go right in, lad. Good work, Candlewick. Why don’t you go in and see the show too.

(Candlewick goes inside)

BARKER: (to audience) I can sell this book in the market for ten times the price of a ticket. (laughs villainously.) Right this way, ladies and gentlemen! See the great puppet show! See the great Fire-Eater! Right this way!

(The Barker exits into the puppet theatre.) (The lights have begun to dim. Geppetto enter, Looking for Pinocchio.)

GEPPETTO: Pinocchio? Pinocchio? Where are you? (to the audience) Have you seen Pinocchio? Pinocchio! Pinocchio? Pinocchio??

(As he leaves, still calling for Pinocchio, the lights din, music plays, and it is the end of Act !.)


16ACT II

Scene 1 Inside the Puppet Show

(Music. Part of the stage is now the inside of the puppet theater, which is perhaps a small raised platform with a canopy top for the puppet performance. There might be ribbons or streamers hanging from the top of the puppet stage to suggest marionette strings. If this is not possible, the actors can create the illusion with pantomime.

Perhaps the act begins with the “puppet actors” performing a brief parade of dance, during which the cast members who are part of the “audience” can take their places. Pinocchio enters last, and takes his place in the front.

When the musical intro is over, the “play” begins. The puppets’ movements and speeches during the “performance” are stilted and stylized. Their manner becomes less stilted when they break from the performance pattern to speak to Pinocchio. As the music intro ends…)

PINOCCHIO: That’s wonderful! (he applauds.) I wish I could do that!AUDIENCE: (to Pinocchio.) Shhhhhhhhhh!

(The puppets move into position to begin.)

PIETRA: This is the Truthfully True –PIETRO: And Tragically Tragical _JULIETTA: Chillingly Thrilling-ROMANO: And Thrillingly Chilling –MIRANDOLINA:Tearfully Tearful –PANTALONE: But Cheerfully Cheerful –PIETRA: Story of the Beautifully Beautiful columbine –PIETRO: And the Foolishly Foolish Harlequin –JULIETTA: And how they came to be-ROMANO: So Famously Famous –MIRANDOLINA: So Tearfully Tearful –PANTALONE: And finally so Cheerfully Cheerful.PIETRA: Our story begins –PIETRO: On a perfect summer day –JULIETTA: A very very long time ago.ROMANO: On this summer day so very long ago –MIRANDOLINA: Foolishly Foolish –BOY PUPPETS: - but softhearted –MIRANDOLINA: Harlequin made one last desperate plea to –PANTOALONE: The Beautifully Beautiful –GIRL PUPPETS: - but oh! So cruel –PANTALONE: - Columbine.HARLEQUIN: Oh, Beautiful Columbine –COLUMBINE: What is it that you want, oh Foolish Harlequin?HARLEQUIN: Since you say you cannot care for me –COLUMBINE: Alas! That is true!ALL: (assuming tragic poses.) Woe is me!HARLEQUINE: Perhaps you could grant me just one simple request.


17COLUMBINE: And what is it you wish from me?HARLEQUIN: I wish to have that rose you carry in your hand.ALL: (assuming dramatic poses.) Ah!COLUMBINE: But why?HARLEQUIN: So that I may remember you always.ALL: (assuming more dramatic poses.) Ah!COLUMBINE: Oh!HARLEQUIN: Will you let me have the rose, oh Columbine?COLUMBINE: Oh, my Foolish Harlequin –PINOCCHIO: (carried away.) Oh! Please! Let him have the rose!AUDIENCE: (to Pinocchio) Shhhhhhhhhhh!

(The puppets al break out of character and look at each other, puzzled.)

COLUMBINE: (Looks out into audience.) What was that?HARLEQUIN: I don’t know.PIETRA: Where were we?PIETRO: (prompting) “oh, my foolish Harlequin”JULIETTAL (To Petro.,) Are you sure?ROMANO: “Woe is me” is the last thing I remember.MIRANDOLINA: Oh, you never know your lines!PANTALONE: (always an optimist.) Let’s start with “cheerfully cheerful”!HARLEQUIN: Quiet, everyone. It’s Columbine’s line. Let’s continue.COLOMBINE: (going on) Oh, my foolish Harlequin, I –PINOCCHIO: Oh, please! Give him the rose!AUDIENCE: (to Pinocchio) Shhhhhhhh!COLUMBINE (Angrily looking again) Who is speaking?ALL: (reacting variously with confusion and annoyance.,) This is too much. Who is that? Is it

my line? I can’t work like this! Where’s the stage manager? What’s going on? What’s happening?

HARLEQUIN: (Looking into the audience.) Aha!COLUMBINE AND ALL: Where? Where?HARLEQUIN: (points) THERE he is!COLUMBINE: (who is finally looking in the right direction) Pinocchio! It is indeed Pinocchio.ALL PUPPETS: (who now see him too.) Pinocchio!PINOCCHIO: (to audience – proudly.) They know me.HARLEQUIN: It is Pinocchio!COLUMBINE: It is our brother Pinocchio.ALL PUPPETS: Brother Pinocchio!PINOCCHIO: (to audience) They call me brother!HARLEQUIN: Pinocchio, come up here to me. Throw yourself into the arms of your wooden

brothers.COLUMBINE: And sisters!PINOCCHIO: Yes! Yes, I will! (He climbs onto the stage.)HARLEQUIN: (Embracing him stiffly.) Brother Pinocchio!COLUMBINE: (curtsies.) Brother Pinocchio.ALL PUPPETS: Brother Pinocchio!

(All of the puppets gather around Pinocchio, greeting him and completely forgetting about the performance.)


18

PINOCCHIO: I’m glad to meet you, Brother Harlequin and pretty Columbine. But how is it that all of you know me?

ALL PUPPETS: (speaking excitedly at once, each trying to explain.)HARLEQUIN: (cutting them off.) Are not all wooden puppets brothers and sisters?PINOCCHIO: I suppose they are. How wonderful to have brothers and sisters.HARLEQUIN: You must join our show.ALL PUPPETS: (agreement)COLUMBINE: Yes, you must. We’d love to have you with us, handsome Pinocchio.PINOCCHIO: You mean I could really be an actor? Like all of you?HARLEQUIN : Of course. Why not?COLUMBINE: Would you like to sing and dance? The way we do?PINOCCHIO: Oh, yes! Yes, I would! But I don’t know how to dance.COLUMBINE: I will teach you.HARELQUINE: So will I.ALL PUPPETS: And so will we!

(music plays and all the puppets and even some of the audience dance until a very a loud voice is heard from off stage.)

FIRE-EATER: (off) What’s going on?HARLEQUIN AND BOY PUPPETS: Oh, no!COLUMBINE AND GIRL PUPPETS: Oh, no!PINOCCHIO: (to puppets) What’s wrong? What is it?HARLEQUIN: HE is coming!PINOCCHIO: Who? Who?COLUMBINE: The Fire-Eater!PINOCCHIO: Who?FIRE_EATER: (entering dramatically.) What’s gong on her?????!!!!!ALL PUPPETS: (assuming dramatic poses.) Oh, no!HARLEQUIN: (to Pinocchio) Hide! (Pinocchio tries to hide behind the puppets.)FIRE-EATER: What’s going on her? (to Columbine) You! Why have you stopped the performance?COLUMBINE: I –I –I –I- I –I- I-I-IHARLEQUIN: Where?FIRE –EATER: Behind you! Who is that? Who? Who? Who? (No reply from the trembling puppets.)

come over here, you! You! (Pinocchio comes out from behind the puppets.) Why have you come here to raise a disturbance in my theater?

COLUMBINE: He didn’t mean to disturb anyone –FIRE-EATER: Silence, wood-mouth!HARLEQUIN: (bravely) You leave her alone.FIRE-EATER: (to Harlequin.) Quiet! Or I will have you made into an end table!HARLEQUIN: (Highly insulted) An end table!? Well!PINOCCHIO: Please, Sir –FIRE-EATER: Pleas, Sir – what?PINOCCHIO: I didn’t mean to disturb your show.FIRE-EATER: (very sarcastic.) Oh, you didn’t mean to disturb the show, Hmmmm? I suppose that

makes everything all right.PINOCCHIO: Oh, I hope so!COLUMBINE: So do I!HARLEQUIN: So do I!


19FIRE-EATER: (shouting) Well, it doesn’t! And you, you puppet, you have disturbed my show, and

you shall pay for your crime!COLUMBINE: Oh, no!HARLEQUIN: Oh, no!PINOCCHIO: I don’t understand, Sir.FIRE-EATER: You will. You will understand soon enough, you troublemaker.PINOCCHIO: Oh, but I’m a good puppet. Really, I am. I obey my papa, and I’m going to school, and

I didn’t mean to disturb your show –FIRE-EATER: (gasps and points) Puppet! What is wrong with your nose?

(Pinocchio’s nose has suddenly “grown” longer.)

PINOCCHIO: (feels his nose) My nose?COLUMBINE: (who is feeling faint) Oh! What’s happening?HARLEQUIN: Why is it growing longer?PINOCCHIO: Oh, no! (to himself) That’s what she meant. A magical nose. Oh, what have I done? (he

puts his head in his hands, and while his head is down, unseen by the audience, he can make sure his nose goes back to its “normal’ size)

FIRE-EATER: (loudly) Stop mumbling!PINOCCHIO: (raising his head) Sir, I was wrong. I’m not a good puppet, and I didn’t obey my papa.

Oh, poor papa! And I’m sorry I came here, and I wish –FIRE-EATER: Enough! I have decided upon your fate, puppet. You will provide the firewood to cook

a roast for my supper. You will burn, puppet, burn. You will burn from your little paper hat to your little wooden shoes!

COLUMBINE: Oh, no, please!HARLEQUIN: No! Not that!FIRE-EATER: Quiet, you two! Or you will join your friend in the firs.COLUMBINE AND HARLEQUIN: Oh.FIRE-EATER: What a wonderful blaze you’ll make, puppet, and what a beautiful fire!PINOCCHIO: Oh no! Please, Sir. Don’t throw me into the fire! Pap! Help! Pap, help me! No, Sir.

Please ! Papa! Save me! Oh, Sir. Please!COLUMBINE: Oh, pleaseHARELQUIN: Oh, pleaseFIRE-EATER: Come along puppet. I am hungry for my supper.COLUM BINE: (to the world at large) Oh, save him!HARLEQUIN: Poor Pinocchio! (they weep on each other’s shoulders.)PINOCCHIO: Please, Sir, no! Don’t do this! Help!FIRE-EATER; Silence! (his nose begins to itch, until - ) Ah-choos!COLUMBINE: (aside to Pinocchio) Take heart, dear brother. The Fire-Eater has sneezed. That means

he pities you. You’re saved!HARLEQUIN: (aside to Pinocchio.) Keep crying, just a moment longer, little brother, and you’ll be

saved.PINOCCHIO: (with a loud sob) Oh, Sir, please, Sir, don’t burn me! Please! Oh, I’m so Sorry!FIRE-EATER: Ah-choo? Silence Ah-choo! Have done with your tears! Ah-choo! All of you! Stop this

weeping! (they all suddenly stop crying) ah! All this crying and moaning as given me a pain in my stomach. Ah-choo!

PINOCCHIO: Bless you.FIRE-EATER: Thank you. AH –CHOO! (wipes his eyes on his cape) I can’t stand it when puppets

cry. Ah-CHOO! Tell me, puppet, what brings you here? Have you no home, no family, no little wooden friends?


20PINOCCHIO: I have wonderful, kind papa, who has been very good to me.FIRE-EATER: Ah! Who can say what a sorrow it would be to your poor father, If I threw you into the

burning coals. Poor man!PINOCCHIO: (with a sob) He would be very sad.COLUMBINE: (with a sob) So sad!!HARLEQUIN: (with a sob) So sad!!FIRE-EATER: Ah-choo! Puppet, I will spare you. Ah-Choo!PINOCCHIO: Thank you, Sir. Oh, thank you!COLUMBINE: Pinocchio is saved!HARLEQUIN: Our brother is saved!FIRE-EATER: Now, puppet, here are five gold pieces for your poor father. Go home and learn to be a

good puppet.PINOCCHIO: Oh, thank you Sir. You’re very kind.FIRE-EATER: AH-CHOO! Nonsense! AN_CHOO! I just want to get rid of you. AH-CHOO!

Goodbye, puppet AH-CHOO! (To columbine and Harlequin.) What are you standing around here for? Come along, there’s work to be done. AH_CHOO! AH-CHOO! (He goes off, still sneezing) AH-CHOO!

PINOCCHIO: Goodbye Sir. Thank you.HARLEQUINE: (Waving to Pinocchio, then following fire-eater off.) Goodbye, brother Pinocchio.PINOCCHIO: Goodbye, Harlequin. I’ll come back and see you again. Thank you. Goodbye. HARLEQUIN: Goodbye, Pinocchio. (he is gone)COLUMBINE: Brother Pinocchio, I wish you could stay with us.PINOCCHIO: I must go home to my Papa/COLUMB INE: (sighs) I know. I want to give you my rose.PINOCCHIO: Really?COLUMBINE: For good luck.PINOCCHIO: Thank you, Columbine.COLUMBINE: Goodbye, Pinocchio.PINOCCHIO: Goodbye, Columbine. I enjoyed the dancing. Goodbye.

(Columbine sniffles unhappily, then runs off loudly sobbing. Once she is gone Pinocchio turns to leave; finally he is ready to go home.Luigi and Lorenzo have entered and busy themselves with string the carnival set. They ignore Pinocchio.)

PINOCCHIO: I’m going home. Poor Papa. He must be worried about me. (shakes money bag) Five gold pieces! Papa can buy a new coat. A warm coat. I wish –

Scene 2 Field of Miracles(Candlewick enters just in time to hear the jingling of the gold pieces. Luigi and Lorenzo continue working, paying some attention to but really not really very interested in Candlewick and Pinocchio.)

PINOCCHIO: - I wish I had my spelling book.

CANDLEWICK: Hey! How was the show?PINOCCHIO: Oh, hello. I liked the puppets very much, but no I’m going home.CANDLEWICK: Why? You’ll just have to go to school.PINOCCHIO: I know. I don’t mind. Look. See what the Fire-Eater gave me? (shows Candlewick the

gold pieces.)CANDLEWICK: Gold! Say, listen, how would you like to have lots and lots of gold? A hundred times

that much?Bringer/Pinocchio 20

21PINOCCHIO: How can I do that?CANDLEWICK: (grabs the gold from Pinocchio) Follow this road until you come to the Field of

Miracles. Then plant your gold in the ground and overnight a tree will grown. A money tree! Covered with gold!

PINOCCHIO: No!CANDLEWICK: Yes!PINOCCHIO: Oh, that’s for me! (he grabs the gold back and starts to go.) Thank you!CANDLEWICK: (with a snicker.) You’re very welcome, I’m sure. (As he goes off laughing.) Good luck

to you!

PINOCCHIO: (alone) A money tree! I’m going to be rich! Rich! Gold, gold, gold! (Starts to rush off.)CRICKET: Pinocchio?PINOCCHIO: Cricket?CRICKET: Don’t listen to the advice of bad companions. You’ll be sorry. Go home to your father,

Pinocchio.PINOCCHIO: But, Cricket, I want to bring all that gold back to my papa.CRICKET: Do not trust those who promise to make you rich in a day. They are liars or thieves. Go back home, Pinocchio.PINOCCHIO: No, I’m going on.CRICKET: It’s late! And the night is dark!PINOCCHIO: I’m still going, Cricket. Good night.CRICKET: Then, good night, Pinocchio. (calls after him) Beware of robbers! (Pinocchio is gone. The fox and cat appear. They carry dark, loose capes with hoods.)Scene 3 Thieves in DisguiseFOX: There he goes!CAT: Who?FOX: The puppet, fuzzy face!CAT: I’m hungry.FOX: (deftly donning his disguise cape) I’ll buy you some sushi, as soon as we have those

five gold pieces..CAT: What gold pieces?FOX: The ones the puppet has, fur ball. Let us begone.CAT: Yeah.FOX: Put on your disguise.CAT: I’m trying. (who is tangled up in the fabric of the disguise cape.)FOX: Hurry ( they sneak out after Pinocchio when the cat trips over the cape.) Shhhhhhhh!CAT: (as they go.) I’m hungryFOX: Quiet!CAT: Well, I am. (they are gone.)

(At this point Geppetto again enters, looking for Pinocchio.)

GEPPETTO: Oh, where is Pinocchio? (to the audience) Have you seen him? Oh, poor Pinocchio! Where can he be? Pinocchio? Pinocchio? (He goes off)

(The lights dim. It is late on the road. Mysterious sounds heard. Pinocchio enters, making his way down the dark road.)

PINOCCHIO: This road is so dark. I’ve walked a long time. I must be almost there. I’m tired, too. I can hardly wait to plant these gold pieces. I bet a money tree looks beautiful. (The cat and fox enter, following Pinocchio. They stumble in the darkness)


22

PINOCCHIO: What was that? (listens) Nothing. I hope. Oh, why is it so dark? Well, I’m not afraid. (walks a little further. Stops suddenly.) What was that?

CAT: Sandor?FOX: Quiet, Sidney!PINOCCHIO: Someone’s there. Oh, no! I want my pap! (as he sees the shapes of the two “robbers”)

Look! Oh, help!

(The “robbers” leap out of the shadows and advance toward Pinocchio)

PINOCCHIO: Robbers! Oh, I can’t run! My legs won’t move!FOX: (In a semi-disguised voice.) Ho, there!PINOCCHIO: (Shaking and trembling) Ohhhhhhhhhh!FOX: Your money or your life!CAT: (In a normal voice) Yeah.FOX: (to cat) Careful, chicken bone!CAT: (In a ‘disguised’ voice) Yeah!PINOCCHIO: P-p-p-p-please, Mr. Robber, Sir, I-I-I, that is please don’t hurt me. I’m only a poor

puppet.FOX: Come now! Stop wasting time! Out with the money!PINOCCHIO: B-b—bb-b but I don’t have any money!FOX: Give us the money, or you will die!CAT: Yeah!FOX: And after we have killed you, we will kill your father!CAT: Yeah!PINOCCHIO: Oh, no, no! Not my papa!FOX: Then give us your money!CAT: Yeah, the money!PINOCCHIO: No! I won’t! (he dodges them and starts to run away)FOX: After him!CAT: (hopelessly tangled in the disguise cape) I’m trying!FOX: Come on, tuna breathe! After that puppet! There he goes! Come here, puppet!PINOCCHIO: No! I’ll run and run and run, and you’ll never catch me!FOX: That’s what you think, wooden-head!CAT: Yeah, wooden-head.FOX: After him!

(A chase ensues, which can be either long or short, depending upon space or effects involved. The chase ends when the fox and the cat and Pinocchio are all too tired to run any more.)

PINOCCHIO: Oh, no! Here they come! I can’t run any more.FOX: Now you are at our mercy, puppet.PINOCCHIO: Help! Help!FOX: Silence! Now, where was I!CAT: (prompting) Your money or –FOX: I know! Your money or your life!PINOCCHIO: (still trying to resist as fox grabs for the gold.) But it’s all the money I have.FOX: Too bad. (grabs the gold, and says to cat.) Let us begone.


23CAT: Yeah, Let’s get outta here.PINOCCHIO: (as they go) Oh, please. Don’t take my money. It’s for my papa. Please.FOX: Tie him up, so he can’t follow us.CAT: Yeah. Sure. (ties a piece of string around Pinocchio’s wrists.)FOX: Goodbye puppet. (laughs)PINOCCHIO: Help! Help!FOX: (to cat) Come on.CAT: (to fox) Can we eat now? I’m hungry.

Scene 4 Tied up in Strings ~ Nose Grows(They go, poor Pinocchio, exhauster, is left behind)

PINOCCHIO: Oh, Papa! Papa! If only you were here!CRICKET: Pinocchio?PINOCCHIO: Cricket?CRICKET: Pinocchio, why didn’t you listen to me?PINOCCHIO: Oh, Cricket, you were right.CRICKET: Puppet; you will make your poor father die of a broken heart.PINOCCHIO: Don’t say that, Cricket, please (tearful) I’ll try to do better. I love my papa and I want

to go home. But I’m afraid, and my hands are all tied up. Oh, Cricket, what can I do? (no reply) Cricket? Cricket? Where are you? He’s gone. Oh, Papa, I’ll never see you again….(He cries.) (Lighting effects, beautiful music plays, and the blue fairy appears. She glides gracefully over to Pinocchio.)

FAIRY: Pinocchio? Pinocchio?PINOCCHIO: (looking up at her) Ohh! You…you…you…I remember you! You have the same voice,

and the same dress – yes! You came to my papa’s house.FAIRY Yes, little puppet, I did. I brought you to life.PINOCCHIO: I remember! How did you know I was here?FAIRY A friend of yours told me. (she unties him)PINOCCHIO: Who?FAIRY The talking cricket.PINOCCHIO: The cricket? The cricket brought you here?FAIRY Yes, he did. He watches over you very well. PINOCCHIO: Watches over me? Oh, now I remember! You told me you would leave me someone –

(tries to remember) –someone who would help me learn to be a good puppet!FAIRY That’s right.PINOCCHIO: And have I become a good puppet?FAIRY What do you think? Are you a good puppet?PINOCCHIO: (sighs) I suppose not, I have tried, though.FAIRY have you? Truly?PINOCCHIO: Oh, yes! Yes, yes, yes. (He puts his head in his hands and once again while his face is

hidden his nose grows.)FAIRY They why is your nose growing longer?PINOCCHIO: (raises his head.) My nose? ( feels his nose) Oh, no! Why does my nose do that? Why?FAIRY You have a magical nose, remember? (he nods) Every time you say something that is

not true, your nose will grow.PINOCCHIO: Always?FAIRY Until you learn to tell the truth.PINOCCHIO: Oh. (pauses a moment) Will the rest of me ever grow?


24FAIRY Puppets don’t, grow, little one. They are always the same.PINOCCHIO: But I’m tired of being a puppet! I want to be a real boy. I want to grow up.FAIRY Perhaps you could become a real boy, if you deserve it. But first, you must learn to be

good.PINOCCHIO: Oh.FAIRY Good boys try to obey.PINOCCHIO: But –FAIRY _ and they go willingly to school.PINOCCHIO: But _FAIRY Good boys learn a trade, and help their fathers.PINOCCHIO: But _FAIRY And they learn to speak the truth, Pinocchio. They don’t tell lies.PINOCCHIO: (hanging his head) And I always tell lies. What do I have to do?FAIRY You must obey me.PINOCCHIO: And if I do everything you say, I’ll become a real boy?FAIRY I promise. But the rest depends on you, Pinocchio.PINOCCHIO: (in a big rush to share the good news) Oh, I’m going home to my papa! I want to tell

him I’m going to be a real boy. Thank you! Goodbye! (he rushes off, his voice rapidly fading away in the distance.) Papa! I’m coming home! Papa! Papa!

FAIRY: Pinocchio? (sighs) Too late. He’s gone. Cricket?CRICKET: Here I am.FAIRY Take care of himCRICKET: I’ll try.

Scene 5 Finding Out About the Promise Land(She goes off. As lights return to normal Pinocchio’s excited voice is heard from one area of the stage, and Candlewick’s is heard from another. A group of other children accompany Candlewick: their excited voices can also be heard. Pinocchio re-enters, on his way home. At the same time candlewick and his companions also enter. Pinocchio is happy to be going home, and candlewick seems to be very happy. Also, since he’s skipping and jumping along, he and his companions do not see Pinocchio, nor does Pinocchio notice them.)

CANDLEWICK: (chanting off ) No more school! No more books!CHILDREN: (off) No more school! No more books!PINOCCHIO: I’m going home! Home!

(Candlewick and the other children – Gina, Sofia, Francesca, Mario, Guido and Santino – now enter.)

CANDLEWICK: No more school!CHILDREN: No more school!CANDLEWICK: No more books!CHILDREN: No more books!PINOCCHIO: I’m going home!

(predictably, Candlewick and Pinocchio bump into each other, and both fall down. The other children laugh)

CANDLEWICK: You!PINOCCHIO: and you!


25CANDLEWICK: It’s the puppet!PINOCCHIO: It’s the boy from the puppet show!CANDLEWICK: (rising) Candlewick’s the name.PINOCCHIO: (rising) I’m Pinocchio.CANDLEWICK: Where were you going in such a hurry?PINOCCHIO: Home to my papa. I’m going to be good from now on, and go to school.CANDLEWICK: (laughs) Well, much good may it do you! We’re going to a much better place – far, far

away.PINOCCHIO: Where?CANDLEWICK: The most wonderful place in the world –PINOCCHIO: Where? Where?CANDLEWICK: It’s called Treasure Island. Do you want to go?PINOCCHIO: (tempted) Me? Oh, no! I promised to be good>CANDLEWICK: Listen, Pinocchio, you don’t know what you’re saying. In this country there are no

schools, no teachers, and no books. CHILDREN: (enthusiastic approval)CANDLEWICK: Nothing but games and holidays all year long.CHILDREN: (even more enthusiastic approval)CANDLEWICK: Cake and candy and –MARIO: Pizza and –GINA: Ice Cream and –GUIDO: Hot dogs and –SOFIA: Spaghetti and –CANDLEWICK: - everything boys and girls like to eat.PINOCCHIO: Are you going all by yourselves?CHILDREN: (laugh)CANDLEWICK: There are more than a hundred boys and girls!PINOCCHIO: A hundred!CHILDREN: Right!CANDLEWICK: And we’re going in a coach –CHILDREN: (excitedly to each other) A big coach! I can hardly wait! Me, too! Do you see it

coming?PINOCCHIO: A coach!CANDLEWICK: - drawn by a hundred donkeys!PINOCCHIO: Oh!CANDLEWICK: Stay a little longer, and you can see us off.PINOCCHIO: I should go home –CHILDREN: (Laugh at Pinocchio)CANDLEWICK: Do what you like. It’s nothing to us. (they start to leave, obviously eager to go)PINOCCHIO: Wait!CANDLEWICK: What is it? The coach will be here soon.PINOCCHIO: No schools?CANDLEWICK: None.PINOCCHIO: Or books?CANDLEWICK AND MARIO:No!PINOCCHIO: Or teachers?CANDLEWICK AND THE BOYS: No!PINOCCHIO: And you do nothing all day long?CANDLEWICK AND ALL THE CHILDREN: That’s right!!PINOCCHIO: Oh, that sounds wonderful! I’d love to go there.


26COACHMAN: (from off stage) All aboard!CANDLEWICK: Where’s the coach now!CHILDREN: (with much excitement) It’s the coach! I can hardly wait! I want to get on first! No, I

do! (etc.) (The coachman enters. His manner seems very friendly, but at heart he is a terribly nasty fellow. His new employees, Luigi and Lorenzo accompany him. All three carry large attractive baskets of candy, which fascinate the children.)

COACHMAN: (as he enters) All aboard! Destination – Treasure Island. Coming, boys and girls?CANDLEWICK: I am!MARIO: Me, too!GINA: And me!GUIDO: I’m going!SOFIA: So am I!COACHMAN: Good, good! Come along.

(Gina and Guido dash off stage eagerly. Santino and Francesca are uncertain.)

MARIO: Are you going, Santino? (he dashes off)SOFIA: Come on, Francesca! (she dashes off)CANDLEWICK: Coming, Pinocchio? (he dashes off) COACHMAN: (to Pinocchio) Better hurry, lad. (to Santino and Francesca) We’re leaving soon.PINOCCHIO: Yes, Sir.

(As he exits the coachman gestures to Lorenzo and Luigi who cross to Francesca and Santino to lure them with the baskets of candy. Pinocchio is off to one side, tempted, but still undecided.)

PINOCCHIO: Oh, I want to go.CRICKET: You’ll be sorry, Pinocchio.PINOCCHIO: I won’t stay long, Cricket. Just a little while. Then I’ll come home, and go to school,

and be a good puppet.CRICKET: You’ll be sorry.PINOCCHIO: I don’t care. I’m going.COACHMAN: (reappearing on stage) All aboard! Leaving for Treasure Island! Cake and candy and

games for everyone! Come along, boys and girls! (He exits, followed by Lorenzo and Luigi. Francesca and Santino remain behind.)

PINOCCHIO: Goodbye, Cricket. I’m gong! Goodbye! Goodbye!(Pinocchio eagerly runs offstage to join the others.)

CRICKET: Wait for me, Pinocchio! Wait for me!As dramatic music plays and the lights darken Geppetto enters, still looking for Pinocchio. Francesca and Santino try to show him which way Pinocchio went, but Geppetto is too upset to listen to them.)

GEPPETTO: Pinocchio? Pinocchio? Where are you? Pinocchio? Has anyone seen Pinocchio? Pinocchio?


27Scene 6 Exploring the Land PINOCCHIO: Come on, Candlewick!CANDLEWICK: This way, Pinocchio!GINA: You’re it, Mario!SOFIA: Can’t catch me!MARIO: Oh, yes, I can!GUIDO: Come on, everybody! Let’s play!

(All the children enter, running and laughing. After a lively game they slow down for a brief rest from play)

CANDLEWICK: They’ll never find us here. We know the best places to hide.CHILDREN: (agreement)CANDLEWICK: (sits) Whew! I’m tired.PINOCCHIO: (sits) Me, too.CANDLEWICK: (who has a large lollipop in his hand) Want some candy?PINOCCHIO: No, I don’t think so. I feel a little sick. I ate too much candy yesterday.CANDLEWICK: Suit yourself. Nothing makes me sick.CHILDREN: (admiringly agree; no one can eat as much as Candlewick can!)CANDLEWICK: Sure you don’t want any of this? It’s good.PINOCCHIO: Candlewick, how long have we been here?CANDLEWICK: Who know? A month, a year, who can tell?PINOCCHIO: Ever day is just like every other day.CANDLEWICK: So?CHILDREN: SO??PINOCCHIO: I jut wondered.CANDLEWICK: You don’t want to go home, and go to school, do you?CHILDREN: DO you?PINOCCHIO: No, no,CANDLEWICK: That’s good.PINOCCHIO: But I do miss my papa.CANDLEWICK: Oh, poor Pinocchio. (mocks him) You miss your papa.CHILDREN: (mocking) Awwwwwww.PINOCCHIO: (a little tearful) Well, I do.CANDLEWICK: Crybaby.CHILDREN: (mocking) “Boo-hoo-hoo!”CANDLEWICK: Crybaby!PINOCCHIO: I am not!CANDLEWICK: You are too!PINOCCHIO: Am not!CANDLEWICK: Are too! You want to fight?CHILDREN: (gather around, eager for the fight)PINOCCHIO: No, Candlewick. You’re right. Who wants to go to school?CANDLEWICK: Not me!CHILDREN: (in total agreement with this)PINOCCHIO: Look who’s coming.

(The coachman enters accompanied by Lorenzo and Luigi. They each carry a large basket of candy.)


28COACHMAN: Well, hello everyone. How are you?PINOCCHIO: Fine, Sire.CANDLEWICK: Great. Just great.CHILDREN: (agree enthusiastically)COACHMAN: Good, good. Just keep on amusing yourselves. Have some more candy, play games be

happy!CANDLEWICK: Oh, we are!COACHMAN: Gad to hear you say that, Candlewick. Listen, children, the rest of the boys and girls are

over on the next street having a big party.CANDLEWICK: A party?CHILDREN: (enthused) Party!!! Party time! Time to party!CANDLEWICK: Let’s go! (starts off )COACHMAN: (To Pinocchio) And ther’s ice cream and cake.PINOCCHIO: Ice cream? Wait for me, Candlewick!

(They dash off with happy shouts.)

COACHMAN: (laughing wickedly) Go on! Enjoy yourselves. Play games Don’t think about anything but fun. And soon – very soon, you’ll be ready. It’s only a matter of time. Only a matter of time…Tra-la. Only a matter of time. (he goes off, laughing)

LORENZO AND LUIGI: (as they follow him off) “Only a matter of time, Tra – la. Only a matter of time.”

(Lighting and perhaps music indicate the passage of time. From off stage Pinocchio’s vice is heard, moaning, when Pinocchio enters, he wears a large strange hat, which conceals his ears. He holds his head down and has his arms wrapped around his stomach as though it hurts.)

PINOCCHIO: Ohhhh! I feel so strange. What’s wrong with me? Ohhhhh!VOICE OF THE CRICKET: What’s wrong, Pinocchio?PINOCCHIO: Cricket? Is that you? Oh, Cricket, help me! Please!

Scene 7 Donkey Fever

CRICKET: How can I help?PINOCCHIO: I feel so strange. I feel very warm and dizzy, too.CRICKET: Pinocchio, I have some bad news for you.PINOCCHIO: What is it?CRICKET: You have a very bad fever.PINOCCHIO: A fever? What kids of fever?CRICKET: It’s called “Donkey Fever.”PINOCCHIO: Donkey Fever? I don’t understand.CRICKET: Boys and girls who are lazy, and who do not go to school, or obey their fathers, and

who think only of themselves – sooner or later end up as donkeys.PINOCCHIO: Oh, no!CRICKET: In a short time you will no longer be a puppet or a boy, but a little donkey!PINOCCHIO: But it’s not my fault, it’s all Candlewick’s fault!CRICKET: Then why did you listen to him?


29PINOCCHIO: Because I am a selfish puppet. Oh, Cricket, if I”D kept my promises and gone home to

school, I’d be a real boy by now, and none of this would have happened. (Moans) Ohhh!!!! On no! Here’s Candlewick.

(from off stage Candlewick moans, and then he enters. He also wears a strange hat that covers his ears, and he, too, holds his stomach as though it hurts.)

CANDLEWICK: Ohh! I feel so strange…(sees Pinocchio, tries to act normally) Pinocchio! Fancy meeting you here.

PINOCCHIO: And how are you, Candlewick?CANDLEWICK: Fine, just fine. As well as a mouse in a cheese.PINOCCHIO: Are you sure?CANDLEWICK: Of course. Now shy would I lie to you, friend?PINOCCHIO: I just wondered why you’re wearing that large hat –it covers your head, and your ears,

and almost hides your nose.CANDLEWICK: Ah, you see, the-the- the doctor ordered me to wear this hat because – because-because

I hurt my left knee. But tell me, my little puppet friend, why are you wearing that large hat – it covers your ears completely.

PINOCCHIO: This hat? Oh, the doctor ordered me to wear it because I-I-I-stubbed my toe.CANDLEWICK: That’s too bad. I hope your toe is better soon.PINOCCHIO: And I hope your knee is better very soon.

(They look at each other.)

PINOCCHIO: (after a pause) Candlewick, will you do me a favor?CANDLEWICK: That depends on what it is.PINOCCHIO: Let me see your ears.CANDLEWICK: Why not? But first, Pinocchio, I’d like to see yours.PINOCCHIO: You first.CANDLEWICK: No, you first.PINOCCHIO: What if we both take our hats off at the same time?CANDLEWICK: Agreed!CANDLEWICK AND PINOCCHIO: One! Two! Three!

(Simultaneously they remove their hats They both have donkey hears! They point at each other and start laughing)

PINOCCHIO: (laughing) Your ears!CANDLEWICK: (laughing) (Look at yours!

(The sound of their laughter brings the other children on stage. They also laugh and point at the donkey ears.)

PINOCCHIO: Candlewick has donkey ears!CANDLEWICK: Pinocchio has donkey ears!PINOCCHIO: Want some hay?CANDLEWICK: How about some grass? Heehaw!

(Everyone stops laughing and stares aghast at candlewick)PINOCCHIO: Candlewick, was that you?CANDLEWICK: Heehaw! Heehaw! Help! Help! Pinocchio!PINOCCHIO: What’s wrong?CANDLEWICK: My back! I can’t – heehaw!-stand up straight. Heehaw!


30PINOCCHIO: Oh, no! The Cricket was right. Heehaw! Heehaw! Oh, no! Heehaw! Candlewick! I

can’t stand up straight either! Heehaw!CANDLEWICK: Heehaw!PINOCCHIO: Heehaw!

(Pinocchio and Candlewick bray frantically, while desperately trying to stand upright. The other children cower off to one side, frightened and watching helplessly. The coachman enters, accompanied by Lorenzo and Luigi. He gives a snickering laugh.)

COACHMAN: Well done, lads! You bray very well indeed. You are very fine donkeys, both of you.PINOCCHIO: Heehaw! Help! Heehaw!COACHMAN: It will do you no good to call for help, little one.CANDLEWICK: What’s going to happen to us? Heehaw!COACHMAN: You will both be sold for very good prices. You’re a very fine pair of donkey. Two of

the best I’ve ever had here.CANDLEWICK: Heehaw! You brought us to Treasure Island to turn us into donkeys!CHILDREN: (Gasp and tremble with fear.)COACHMAN: You turned yourselves into donkeys! You thought only of amusing yourselves. Boys

and girls who are greedy and selfish always end up as donkeys.PINOCCHIO: (sadly) Heehaw!CANDLEWICK: (sadly) Heehaw!COACHMAN: You, Candlewick, have already been sold. There’s a man waiting to take you home. He

needs a donkey to pull his wagon to and from the market.CANDLEWICK: Heehaw!COACHMAN: Go on, stupid one. He’s waiting now. (chasing him off ) Go on! (to Lorenzo) Take him

away!CANDLEWICK: (sadly, as Lorenzo leads him away) Heehaw! Goodbye, Pinocchio. Heehaw.PINOCCHIO: (sadly to Candlewick) Heehaw!MARIO: (to Coachman) What’s going to happen to the rest of us?CHLDREN: Fearfully echo his question)GINA: Are we – Are we _ going to turn into donkeys, too?COACHMAN: (with a sneer) It’s only a matter of time, my dear. Only a matter of time.CHILDREN: Oh, no!COACHMAN: (To Luigi) Take them all to the salt mines!CHILDREN: (Moaning as Luigi prods them off) Oh, no! What have we done? We’ll be good. We

promise! (When they are gong, the coachman turns to Pinocchio. Lorenzo brings him a large hoop, and a cane.)

COACHMAN: (To Pinocchio.) As for you, little donkey, you are going to be in the circus!PINOCCHIO: (sadly) Heehaw…COACHMAN: You must learn to jump through hoops, to bow, and dance. Let us see what you can do.PINOCCHIO: (growing more afraid.) Heehaw! Heehaw!COACHMAN: Here’s a hoop. (Can be any large circular frame) All you have to do is jump through it.

Ready?PINOCCHIO: (Backs away) Heehaw!COACHMAN: Come now. Let’s see how graceful you are. Jump~PINOCCHIO: (starts to run through the hoop, but stops at the very last moment) Heehaw!COACHMAN: No, no, no! try again, and do it right this time! Come on, jump!


31PINOCCHIO: Heehaw! (starts toward the hoop – again at the last moment he falters, and runs around

it, instead of going through it.)COACHMAN: NO! no! No! Once more! Jump! You lazy donkey! Jump!PINOCCHIO: (still afraid, starts forward very tentatively) Heehaw! Heehaw!COACHMAN: Jump! Jump, you fool!PINOCCHIO: (dashes to the hoop, tries to jump. Catches his leg and falls moaning) Heehaw! Ohhhh!COACHMAN: What have you done, you fool?PINOCCHIO: (moans) Ohhhh!COACHMAN: (Looks at Pinocchio’s leg) Lame! A lame donkey! What good are you to me now! I’ll

be lucky to sell you for a few pennies. You stupid, cowardly fool! (raises his fist or a riding crop to strike Pinocchio.) No one would buy a lame donkey! (he is about to strike when … the lights dim a little, dramatic music plays. The fairy appears, perhaps wearing a dark cloak over her dress, disguised to the Coachman’s eyes, appearing to be a woman just passing by.)

Scene 8 To the Rescue

FAIRY: Wait! Why are you beating that poor little donkey?COACHMAN: (Suddenly exceedingly polite.) He’s lame. Madame, and no good to me. I’d sell him

gut who would buy a lame donkey?FAIRY: I have use for such a donkey. Sell him to me. (gives the coachman a small bag of coins)COACHMAN: Gladly, Madame, gladly. He’s all yours, and good luck to you! (He laughs wickedly,

and goes off counting his money)PINOCCHIO: (still on the ground, moaning) Ohhhh!FAIRY: Pinocchio! Everything is all right now. Pinocchio, it’s your friend. Look, little one.

Pinocchio?PINOCCHIO: Is it really you? You’ve saved me from that terrible coachman. He was going to sell me

to the circus.FAIRY: I know. I know.PINOCCHIO: My leg! It’s all right. I can stand up straight, too. (feels his ears) But I still have donkey

ears. Will they go away?FAIRY: If you are a brave puppet. Now, Pinocchio, you must go find your father.PINOCCHIO: (ready to start off) Oh yes!FAIRY: (stopping him with a gesture) I saw him three days ago 0 at the seashore.PINOCCHIO: What –what was he doing there?FAIRY: He set sail in a little boat to cross the ocean. For months he’s been looking for you

everywhere. At last he decided to cross the ocean to look in other places. PINOCCHIO: Oh, no!FAIRY: That’s not all, Pinocchio. Geppetto had no sooner set sail when a storm came up, and

sank his little boat.PINOCCHIO: Oh, Papa!FAIRY: He was swallowed by the huge whale who lives in the ocean.PINOCCHIO: Swallowed by a whale? Oh, no!FAIRY: he’s still alive inside the whale – but he’s growing weaker and weaker. (she quietly

begins to back away.)PINOCCHIO: (who has bowed his head and does not notice.) Oh, my poor papa. I’ve been so wicked

and selfish. Now I’ve lost my papa. And it’s all my fault… (While his head is turned away the Fairy leaves quietly. Pinocchio raises his head.) Where did she go? (Looks around) She’s not here. I’m all alone. Maybe the cricket is here. Cricket? (no reply) No one. No one here. I must decide what to do all by myself. I know! I’ll rescue my papa! That’s it! I’ll save him! Papa, I’m coming!


32

(He races off stage. Music plays and the lights change. If necessary to help cover the set change this optional crossover; with the fox and cat may used – they briefly appear or perhaps are heard as voice overs during the set change. The fox counts money and Sidney as usual is thinking only of food.)

FOX: Seventy-nine, eight-five, ninety, ninety-five, one hundred! A good sale! Imagine that old fool Geppetto buying that leaky boat. Just to chase after a puppet.

CAT: Yeah.FOX: Come, on, Sidney.CAT: Hey, I’m hungry. (they go off)

Scene 9 Ocean

(A swell of dramatic music, accompanied by appropriately dim lighting, sound effects, flashes, flickers and shadows which all help to create the illusion of the depths of the ‘ocean’ As Pinocchio appears trying to ‘swim’ through the water, many, if not all, the other characters he has met also appear ‘floating’ or ‘swimming’ around hi as he struggles in the current. Possibly at one end of the stage Geppetto sits: he is “inside” the whale, while Pinocchio and the others are “in the ocean”

PINOCCHIO: (as the other characters “float around him”) Papa! I’m coming to save you! (as the other characters disappear) Oh, Cricket, the water’s so deep. The waves keep pushing me. I’m coming, Papa!

CRICKET: Keep swimming, Pinocchio!PINOCCHIO: Oh, Cricket! Look! There’s the Whale! Oh, Cricket, he’s so big!CRICKET: Keep swimming, Pinocchio!PINOCCHIO: I am, Cricket! Look! The Whale 0 he’s coming toward us!CRICKET: Look out, Pinocchio! There he is!PINOCCHIO: Look at his teeth! He’s opening is mouth!CRICKET: He’s coming closer!PINOCCHIO: Cricket? Cricket! He’s going to swallow us! Cricket?!

(The noise rises to a crescendo, then stops suddenly. Perhaps there is a blackout, but as soon as possible the lights begin to come up, very dimly. Everything is now very still and quiet except perhaps for the sound of distant waves. A small light can be seen, a candle or lamp, something which Geppetto managed to save for himself from this boat).

PINOCCHIO: (As the lights come up) Cricket? (Tentatively Cricket? Are you still with me?CRICKET: Over here, Pinocchio!PINOCCHIO: Are you all right?CRICKET: A little wet, that’s all.PINOCCHIO: (looking up and around) Are we –are we inside of the whale?CRICKET: I suppose we are. (gasps) Look, you can see his ribs. (Lighting effect can create this

illusion.)PINOCCHIO: Oh, he’s so big! I hope we can find my papa. (points) Look, Cricket! A light! Do you

think that’s my papa?CRICKET: Well, don’t just stand there. Go look and see.


33PINOCCHIO: (perhaps music plays as he gropes his way across the stge. At last he reaches Geppetto,

who is on the other side. Geppetto sits sadly with his head in his hands.) Papa? Oh, papa, I’ve found you at last! I’ll never leave you again! Never, never again!

GEPPETTO: Pinocchio? Can I believe my eyes? Is it – is it really you, Pinocchio?PINOCCHIO: Oh, yes, Papa! It’s really me!GEPPETTO: (hugs him) Oh, my boy! It’s so good to see you. I thought I would never see you again.PINOCCHIO: Do you forgive me, Papa?GEPPETTO: Of course, Pinocchio. Of course, I do.PINOCCHIO: I’ve been a very bad puppet, but I’ve paid for it, Papa I’ve been robbed, and almost

burned –GEPPETTO: Oh, no!PINOCCHIO: -and I ran away, and became a donkey – see? I still have the donkey ears –GEPPETTO: I don’t see any donkey ears.PINOCCHIO: But I – (reaches up to feel the ears) they’re gone!GEPPETTO: Donkey ears??PINOCCHIO: That means I’ve been brave!GEPPETTO: Certainly you’re brave, little one. You came to find me, didn’t you?PINOCCHIO: Oh yes, I did, Papa! I’ve come to save you!GEPPETTO: Save me? How? That’s impossible.PINOCCHIO: There must be a way out of here.GEPPETTO: (sits again in despair) I don’t know what way that could be, Pinocchio.PINOCCHIO: I’ll think of something, Papa.CRICKET: Psst! Pinocchio! Over here.PINOCCHIO: (To Geppetto.) Excuse me, Papa. What is it, Cricket?CRICKET: I we have an idea. No, listen carefully. Psst…Psst…(The cricket whispers busily for a

moment. A few words are clear here and there) Psst….psst…lantern…psst…whale…escape…psst…pssst…cough…. (coughs)….psst! (Aloud) Get it?

PINOCCHIO: Got it!CRICKET: Good!PINOCCHIO: Thank you, Cricket! That’s a wonderful plan! Papa! GEPPETTO: What is it Pinocchio?PINOCCHIO: I – that is – we have an idea, Papa. We’ll escape through the mouth of the whale into

the ocean. Then we’ll swim to shore. Bring your lantern, Papa, and follow me.GEPPETTO: Very well, Pinocchio. I’ll try it. We can’t stay here, or we’ll die. Why do you want the

lantern?PINOCCHIO: (As they make their way across the stage to the whale’s mouth) The smoke from the

lantern will make the whale cough and sneeze so much that he’ll have to open his mouth. Then we’ll escape.

GEPPETTO: It’s a good idea.PINOCCHIO: (by now they are at the other end of the stage.) All right, Papa. Now, wave the lantern,

papa, so the smoke will make the whale cough.

(Geppetto swings the lamp gently)

PINOCCHIO: Good Papa. ListenGEPPETTO: The whale’s starting to cough.PINOCCHIO: A little more smoke, Papa.

(Sound effects and louder music indicate the whale’s growing annoyance with the smoke.)


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PINOCCHIO: Ready, Papa?GEPPETTO: (Not at all sure that he is) I suppose so.

(A monstrous roar as the whale coughs and opens his mouth. Sound and light effects as before. Possibly during this sequence the other characters “float” by again just as they did previously)

PINOCCHIO: (Shouting) Come on, Pap! Hold on to my hand.GEPPETTO: Pinocchio! Pinocchio!PINOCCHIO: I have you, Papa. Hurry! Before the whale catches us again!GEPPETTO: Pinocchio! Help! Help me!PINOCCHIO: I’m here, Papa.GEPPETTO: Where is the shore? All I see is water. We’re going to drown.PINOCCHIO: No, Papa. I’ll find the shore.CRICKET: (shouting) Follow me, Pinocchio!PINOCCHIO: Cricket! Lead the way! We’re saved, Papa! Hold on to meG; Save yourself, Pinocchio. I’m going to diePINOCCHIO: No, Papa, no. I’ll help you.CRICKET: Follow me, Pinocchio! Follow me!PINOCCHIO: We’re almost there, Papa!GEPPETTO: Pinocchio! I see it! I see the shore! We’re saved, Pinocchio! We’re saved!

(Sound effect of an enormous wave. The lights are very dim, or perhaps there is a momentary blackout)

VOICE OF PINOCCHIO: Papa?VOICE OF GEPPETTO: Pinocchio, where are you?

(As the sounds of the waves die out, the lights come up. It’s the sunlight! Both Pinocchio and Geppetto can be seen lying upon the ‘shore’ as he speaks Geppetto crawls over to Pinocchio, who remains very still on the ground.)

GEPPETTO: We’re saved! Look, Pinocchio, we’re saved! Pinocchio? Pinocchio? (he realizes Pinocchio is apparently dead.) Pinocchio! Oh, no! No, no no! Oh, Pinocchio, poor brave little puppet. He saved my life. He was so brave. Poor Pinocchio. Now I will be more lonely than I ever was before.

(Geppetto holds Pinocchio close to him, head bent. At this point Pinocchio’s false puppet nose – if not already removed during the blackout – can be removed by Geppetto, who can hide it – coin a pocket. While Geppetto is bowed with grief the blue fairy appears, accompanied by appropriate music.)

Scene 10 Becomes Real FAIRY: (Unseen my Geppetto) Little Pinocchio, to reward you for your good and brave heart,

you are forgiven for all that is past. You have proven yourself to be brave and unselfish. You are a good son, Pinocchio. Geppetto shall have his wish at last. Awaken, Pinocchio.

(She waves her want, and steps back. She then remains in the background until the end of the play.)


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PINOCCHIO: (after a moment stirs, awakens) Papa?GEPPETTO: Pinocchio…?PINOCCHIO: (Rises slowly aided by Geppetto) Papa, I had the most wonderful dram. I dreamed 0 I

dreamed that I became a real boy. (touches his face.) And look. Papa, it’s true! I’m real! I’m a real boy!

GEPPETTO: (overjoyed) Oh, Pinocchio, this is the happiest day of my life!

(they hug each other)

PINOCCHIO: Oh, Papa, me, too! Look at me! I’m a real boy!GEPPETTO: I see, my son, I see

(At this point the other characters from Pinocchio’s adventures slowly begin to migrate on to the stage. They take positions in an attractive tableau keeping their eyes and the focus on the action between Pinocchio and Geppetto. The actors should be grouped in a logical way; the merchants from act one together, the children together, the puppets as a group together and so on.)(Pinocchio crosses first to his very good friends, the puppets.)

COLUMBINE: Oh, Pinocchio, we’re so happy for you.HARLEQUIN: Congratulations, little brother.MIRANDOLINA: At times it was all so tearfully tearfulPANTALONE: But it turned out to be quite cheerfully cheerful.PIERTRA: (sobbing on Pietro’s shoulder) I just love happy endings!PIETRO: (Sobbing on Pietra’s shoulder) So do I!

(everyone laughs happily. Pinocchio crosses to the coachman)

PINOCCHIO: See, Mr. Coachman? I’m not a donkey any more.COACHMAN: Well, done, lad. Of course, now you’ll have to go to school.PINOCCHIO: Oh, I don’t mind, Mr. Coachman. (looking at Geppetto.) I don’t mind at all.GEPPETTO: (holding out his hand) Come, Pinocchio, it’s time for us to go home.PINOCCHIO: Oh, yes, Papa!GEPPETTO: And this time I’m going to take you to school myself. I don’t want to lose you ever

again.PINOCCHIO: Oh, yes, Papa!

(Pinocchio steps forward alone and addresses the audience and the other characters on stage)

PINOCCHIO: Look everyone. I’m finally a real live boy.

(The audience cheers. The actors gather slowly around Pinocchio to congratulate him. Music plays. The fairy waves her wand and it is –

THE END


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pinocchio script (1)

Documents

master geppetto

thick book giovanni

sigh poor geppetto

small town

new puppet

fine used book

bi puppet

wonderful puppet