Pinocchio!

By Dan Neidermyer
Copyright MCMXCIV
Heuer Publishing LLC, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

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Pinocchio!

CAST OF CHARACTERS
(Eight men and three women, some roles interchangeable, total
female cast possible)

GEPETTO
A very kind, white-haired woodcarver.
PINOCCHIO
A just-finished-today wooden puppet who wants to be a real boy.
BLUE FAIRY
Gracious guardian of the forest and, in this instance, a recently-carved
wooden puppet.
STERLING
A scallywag without equal.
CANDLEWYCK
Sterlings rapscallion cohort.
MARIGOLD
A beautiful dancing puppet with the Great Puppet Theatre, her hair and
dress the color of the sun.
KELSO
Also a puppet with the Great Puppet Theatre, a grand and glorious
clown.
ZAK
A ragamuffin bully.
ZEKE
Zaks fast-talking comrade.
ZED
A nonsensical follower of Zak and Zeke.
MAMA LEONI
The towns know-all, see-all bag lady with an ominous, authoritative
appearance.

By Dan Neidermyer

SYNOPSIS OF SCENES
Act one
Scene 1: Gepettos toy shop.
Scene 2: The Great Puppet Theatre.

Act two
Scene 1: The Great Puppet Theatre.
Scene 2: Along a street, away from the Great Puppet Theatre.
Scene 3: Gepettos toy shop.

THE PLACE
A woodcarvers toy shop and nearby areas in a small European village.
THE TIME
Only yesterday.
COSTUMING
At the directors discretion, costuming can be as simple or elaborate as
desired. The most colorful of characters, Pinocchio, should wear a
bright shirt and a dazzling pair of shorts accented with brilliant, standout suspenders. Brown circles drawn with an eyebrow pencil on his
elbows and knees give the appearance of wooden joints. A green hat
sporting a long feather and lots of freckles add flair to this wooden
puppet carved only yesterday and finished earlier this morning.
Gepetto is poor and as such dresses in long-since new black pants and
shoes with a flouncy white shirt topped by an open vest. Small
spectacles sit atop his nose and add character to a most happy, even
charming, bubbly gentleman.
Adorned completely in blue, the Blue Fairy wears a sparkling tiara and
carries a golden wand. Beauty, grace, and elegance complement her
long-flowing gown and are the first qualities noticed by anyone
suddenly found in her presence.

Pinocchio!

The scallywags, Sterling and Candlewyck, wear black unless they are
perceived to be rather foppish clowns by the director. Then, whatever
color accents their antics are certainly most acceptable.
Simple accessories an old cane and pocket watch with fob chain for
Gepetto; a mustache and derby for Candlewyck and Sterling; shiny
silver buckles on Piinocchios shoes and a powder blue wig for the
Blue Fairy are fun and if available, add pizzazz to costuming that is
both functional and enjoyable for cast and audience alike.
PROPS
Gepetto
Make-up to use in finishing the puppet. An old cat, also for the puppet
Marigold
Broom and mop
Kelso
Broom and mop
Sterling
Broom and mop
SET
Like costuming, the set can be as simple as a bare stage with several
props or quite elaborate. The toy shop can be suggested by a table on
which several wooden toys and/or woodcarvers tools are placed. An
old chair is placed center stage on which Gepetto places the wooden
puppet to complete his work
The areas utilized by Sterling and Candlewyck could be a bare stage or
designed to look as if they are a part of the Great Puppet Theatre.
During rehearsals, some offbeat ideas might surface. If you like them,
by all means use them. For both sets and costuming, creativity is only
limited by your imagination, availability of resources, and what works
for your particular production.

By Dan Neidermyer

Act one, Scene 1

The work area of a toymakers shop where dreams come true
and where toys with a little imagination indeed become real.
GEPETTO, a kind, white-haired gentleman whose skilled hands
have carved toys to the delight of hundreds of children for many
years, enters. He is slow of stride, but has a twinkle in his eyes
that belies a most fun-loving and genial spirit. And today, he has
created something new! Something he is most proud of.
Something he deeply loves. . .
He walks toward the audience, a most happy, beaming, proud
woodcarver. He speaks directly to the audience.
GEPETTO: Hello. (Expecting an appropriate response from the
audience. If there is none, he repeats, with a grin) Hello.
(when the audience responds, he nods and with a warm
smile acknowledges this audience greeting, then) How good
of you to visit my wonderful toy shop today. I was hoping you
would. Because today- yes, today after such careful peeling
and polishing for weeks and weeks, I have completed a
new
Oh did I tell you my name? (Expecting an appropriate
response, then acknowledges such) My, my, Im so excited
about my new little wooden one, Im forgetting a proper
introduction. My, what you must think of me. Im usually not
like this, but today (throws up his hands, a gesture itself
saying, Oh, my!) My name (Taking a slight bow) is Gepetto.
And I am a woodcarver. Not just any woodcarver. No, no.
This woodcarver, (Pointing to himself) me, I carve special
things, toys, for children. All kinds of toys. Dolls, games, wood
blocks.

Pinocchio!

I begin with a block of wood. Often times, a piece of wood

someone else has thrown away. But I see something special
in that block of wood! And then, I use a lot of imagination to
keep my fingers (With appropriate actions as he describes his
work) whittling and carving (Moving about his shop as if
conducting a tour, pointing out various toys he has made)
dolls, games, wood blocks, sometimes even cuckoo clocks.
But today, I have made a But rather than my telling you, let
me show you. (He turns and moves toward the exit, then as if
remembering something, he turns back to the audience) Im
getting this special something for you. You wont go away? Ill
only be a moment. Its in my workshop. Youll see why Im so
excited. (Exits to pick up his latest creation: a wooden puppet
which he now carries as best as he can onto the stage. As he
enters, carrying the puppet, he speaks to the audience) Here
it is my new wooden puppet. Such a lot of work but it is
(Placing the puppet on a chair) almost finished. (Taking some
rouge from his work table) In fact, with a few little touches
(adding round circles of color to the puppets cheeks) here
and there, this wooden one is finished!
(Admitting to the audience) Sometimes, as Ive looked at the
little wooden head these last few weeks, (He glances at
Pinocchio) I know this puppet will make some child very
happy because to me, this little puppet looks, (Pinocchio
waves to the audience while Gepetto speaks directly to the
audience, his back to the puppet) of course my eyes arent
what they used to be, (Pinocchio waves again, but as soon as
Gepetto turns to look at him, Pinocchio is motionless) but to
me, this little wooden puppet looks so life-like, almost real,
almost as if (Moving toward the audience and away from the
puppet) it could talk!
PINOCCHIO: But I do talk
GEPETTO: (Startled; his back still to the puppet) What? (Then
speaking directly to someone in the audience) Did you say
something to me? (to yet another) Did you say something to
me?
PINOCCHIO: Of course they didnt, toymaker.
GEPETTO: (Again startled) What? I know I heard someone say
something. Who - ? (Pointing to someone in the audience)
Are you sure you didnt say something?
PINOCCHIO laughs quite joyfully.
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By Dan Neidermyer

GEPETTO: Now I heard someone laughing at me!! (speaking

directly to someone in the audience) Did you laugh at me, a
poor old woodcarver?
PINNOCHIO: (Indicating the audience. NOTE: Gepettos back is
still to the puppet) Those children would never laugh at you,
Gepetto. They are too kind. They have better manners than
to laugh at an old woodcarver.
GEPETTO: (Talking to himself) Yes, thats true. These children
are quite well-mannered (Suddenly realizing hes talking to
air!) Who am I talking to?!
PINOCCHIO: To me, of course.
GEPETTO: (Listening carefully) Say that again.
PINOCCHIO: To me, of course.
GEPETTO: To (Turning around, facing the puppet) you??!
PINOCCHIO nods his head and grins, almost impishly, but
certainly most innocently. After all, hes quite young.
GEPETTO: You were talking
Another nod and grin from the wooden one.
GEPETTO: - to me?
PINOCCHIO: Is there anyone else in this toy shop?
GEPETTO: NO . . . but . . .I dont believe you can talk.
PINOCCHIO: Believe it, Gepetto! I can talk.
GEPETTO: You know my name?!
PINOCCHIO: How often have I heard it while you were carving
me? Only every time some happy child trotted into your toy
shop. And that was hundreds of times! Little children love
you, Gepetto!
GEPETTO: (Very kindly) Its my toys they love, my toys which
bring them so much happiness.
PINOCCHIO: And so will I.
GEPETTO: What? (With disbelief) I cant believe this. I must be
hearing things. A wooden puppet talking?
PINOCCHIO: (Bragging) But I can talk, laugh, cry, yell, and
sing cha-cha-cha!
GEPETTO: No, thats not possible. In fact, its impossible!
PINOCCHIO: Why?
GEPETTO: Because I carved you out of a block of wood!
PINOCCHIO: And wood cant talk?
7

Pinocchio!

GEPETTO: Not usually. (Turns to the audience) Does wood

talk? (Responding to the audiences answer) There, you see,
even they agree. Wood cant talk.
PINOCCHIO: But, Gepetto, I am not your usual block of wood.
GEPETTO: How right you are, my little wooden head. Youre
special, very special, because I carved you with very special
care, with very special love.
PINOCCHIO: And you did a good job, Gepetto, a very good job. I
look so real.
GEPETTO: I almost thought you were so often as I was carving
you. But wait . . . wait a minute . . . I cant believe what I am
doing carrying on a conversation with a wooden puppet!! I
must have the flu.
PINOCCHIO: No, you dont have the flu, you dont have a cold or
pneumonia, and youre not hearing things. I can talk, laugh,
cry, yell, and sing . . . cha-cha-cha! Everything can talk.
GEPETTO: Everything?
PINOCCHIO: If you listen. In the mornings, you can hear the
birds in the trees talking to each other. Theyre discussing
where to find the fattest and the tastiest worms and where to
find twigs and the best pieces of string for their nests. And all
day long you can hear dogs talking, barking to each other
about where the cats hang out. He bees mingle while the ants
decide which picnic to invade
GEPETTO: But youre a toy!
PINOCCHIO: SO!
GEPETTO: So toys cant talk!
PINOCCHIO: Never heard a doll cry, Mama?
GEPETTO: Only when theres a special voice mechanism built
inside them. I didnt put a voice box inside you.
PINOCCHIO: Ive got a brain.
GEPETTO: (Flabbergasted) A brain!
PINOCCHIO: Yes, Im smart, too!
GEPETTO: A wooden puppet that talks and has a brain! Now I
know Ive lost mine!
PINOCCHIO: Dont forget
GEPETTO: (Wearily) You can also laugh, cry, yell and sing . . .
cha-cha-cha.
PINOCCHIO: And I can walk too.
GEPETTO: Now you walk, too? A puppet without strings
walks??!! NO, no, no, no, no.
PINOCCHIO: (Playfully) Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.
GEPETTO: I havent put strings on you yet!
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By Dan Neidermyer

PINOCCHIO: I dont need strings.

GEPETTO: Every puppet has to have strings to walk.
(Pantomimes a puppet walking as he pulls a string upward
while saying) You pull the string up, the puppet takes another
step. You pull two strings, the puppet jumps. (As he
pantomimes pulling two strings and jumping.)
PINOCCHIO: Not me.
GEPETTO: Even you.
PINOCCHIO: Remember, Im not your usual puppet, Gepetto.
Look, (As he struggles to stand) I can stand (Though he is a
bit wobbly.)
GEPETTO: Well, so you can.
PINOCCHIO: And now, as you will also see, I can walk. (Tries to
take a step, struggling to maintain his balance, and finally,
takes one step, then while trying to take another, lifting his
leg, becoming very shaky, he falls.)
GEPETTO: (Amused) But I thought you could walk.
PINOCCHIO: (From the floor, looking upward with big sad eyes)
I could if you would teach me.
GEPETTO: Me? Teach you how to walk?
PINOCCHIO: Sure. Doesnt every parent teach his young child
to walk?
GEPETTO: (As he carefully picks the puppet up and places him
back on the chair) Im not a parent, my little wooden one.
PINOCCHIO: You carved me, didnt you?
GEPETTO: (Thinking) Yes
PINOCCHIO: (Quickly) Then youre my parent. Please, Gepetto,
as my parent, teach me to walk.
GEPETTO: But youre a puppet.
PINOCCHIO: Please.
GEPETTO: A puppet without strings!
PINOCCHIO: But a heart that wants to learn.
GEPETTO: A heart now too?
Pinocchio vigorously nods while pointing to his heart.
GEPETTO: (Giving up as if giving in) Well, perhaps someone
could teach you how to walk. (Speaking directly to the
audience) Is there anyone here who feels they could teach
this little wooden puppet to walk?

Pinocchio!

Appropriate ad libs as audience members respond. All in fun,

Gepetto selects someone from the audience and asks that
individual to come to the staging area and teach the puppet to
walk. Spontaneous ad libs of encouragement from a kindly
Gepetto as the individual teaches the puppet to walk. During the
first moments of instruction, Pinocchio listens intently, then tries
to do what he is being taught. A step, and he falls. Gepetto
graciously encourages the walking teacher to try again and
asks that person to demonstrate how to walk. Following a few
moments of further instruction, Pinocchio through trial and error
does indeed learn how to walk and walks. Gepetto thanks the
walking teacher and suggest the individual to return to the
audience. Please remember: fun is the operative word!
GEPPETO: So now you know how to walk, my little wooden one.
PINOCCHIO: (Putting his hands on his hips) Gepetto, Im not a
little wooden one. I have a name.
GEPETTO: Now you have a name? (Pinocchio nods) How is that
possible? I havent named you yet. Ive barely even finished
making you.
PINOCCHIO: Ive always had a name.
GEPETTO: You have?!
PINOCCHIO: Since I was in the forest.
GEPETTO: When you were in the forest, you were part of a tree.
How could you have a name?
PINOCCHIO: Magic, Gepetto.
GEPETTO: Magic?
PINOCCHIO: (Nodding, with pleasure, introducing himself) Im
Pinocchio.
GEPETTO: Pinocchio?
PINOCCHIO: Pinocchio.
GEPETTO: (To the audience) Pinocchio?? Is that a good name
for a puppet? (Interacts with the audience, finally with the
audiences agreement, he turns to the puppet) Then,
Pinocchio you shall be.
PINOCCHIO: Gepetto, I am hungry.
GEPETTO: Hungry?! NO, no, no, no, no you may talk, you
may walk, you may even have a name from the forest when
you werent even a puppet, BUT, Pinocchio, a wooden
puppet does not get hungry.
PINOCCHIO: Dont you get hungry?
GEPETTO: Im human, Im not a wooden puppet.
PINOCCHIO: Neither am I.
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By Dan Neidermyer

GEPETTO: Oh . . . no?
PINOCCHIO: (Triumphantly, though innocently) Im a boy!
GEPETTO: Now I know my minds playing tricks on me. (Moving
towards the exit) I best lie down and get some rest before I
lose the little bit of my mind I have left. Now the wooden
puppets a boy!! No, no, no, no, no
PINOCCHIO: (Rushing to the exiting Gepetto) I want to be a boy,
Gepetto. I want to run and jump and climb trees and do all the
things other boys do.
GEPETTO: (Exasperated) Youre a puppet!
PINOCCHIO: Now.
GEPETTO: Wood is not alive.
PINOCCHIO: It was once.
GEPETTO: That was when you were part of a tree. This is now
when youre a wooden puppet. And wish as you might, youll
always be a wooden puppet.
PINOCCHIO: Please.
GEPETTO: Im a woodcarver, what do you want me to do?
PINOCCHIO: Make me a real boy.
GEPETTO: I cant
PINOCCHIO: Please.
GEPETTO: I may be able to carve you to look almost real, but
never, never, ever, Pinocchio, can I make you real.
PINOCCHIO: There must be something you could do.
GEPETTO: Not to make you real.
PINOCCHIO: Wont you even try?
GEPETTO: What would I try?
PINOCCHIO: (Shrugs his shoulders) Youre the toymaker.
GEPETTO: Yes, of course, toys, thats what I make: toys. Not
boys!
PINOCCHIO: Use your imagination, Gepetto. Surely you can
think of something.
GEPETTO: I used my imagination when I carved you, Pinocchio.
But no amount of imagination will ever make you real.
PINOCCHIO: Please, I want to be a real boy, I want to do all the
things real boys do.
GEPETTO: (Suddenly, perhaps hes found an answer to
Pinocchios begging to be a real boy. Now being shrewd and
with a gleam in his eyes) ALL the things a real boy does?
PINOCCHIO: (Most definitely) Yes.
GEPETTO: ALL the things, Pinocchio?
PINOCCHIO: (Vigorously nodding) Yes!
GEPETTO: Including going to school?
11

Pinocchio!

PINOCCHIO: Going to school?

GEPETTO: Of course. All little boys go to school.
PINOCCHIO: But Im not a little boy.
GEPETTO: (Pretending to be surprised) OH! (Then
understanding) All big boys go to school.
PINOCCHIO: Why?
GEPETTO: To become smart.
PINOCCHIO: But I am smart already. Ive got a brain.
GEPETTO: (Thinking for a moment) Yes, of course, but school
can make your brain smarter.
PINOCCHIO: Why?
GEPETTO: Pinocchio, you must go to school (Now speaking
directly to the audience, as if enlisting their help) to learn how
to (Waits a moment for the audience to shout out something
like to read) yes, you must go to school to learn how to read
. . . and to learn how to (Again, asking the counsel of the
audience, which might respond to write, etc.) write and
how to (Again, seeking an appropriate response from the
audience and repeating such) yes, yes. That is why you must
go to school
PINOCCHIO: Do I really need all that stuff?
GEPETTO: Do you want to become a real boy?
PINOCCHIO: Yes.
GEPETTO: Then you need all that stuff.
PINOCCHIO: Well, okay. Ill go to school.
GEPETTO: (Pleased his plan has worked) Good. Then its all
settled. First thing tomorrow morning, after you get up, youll
go to school.
PINOCCHIO: First thing tomorrow morning? Im really not that
much of a morning person.
GEPETTO: Right after you get up.
PINOCCHIO: But its cold in the morning, and I have no coat to
wear to keep me warm.
GEPETTO: Yes, youre right, Pinocchio.
PINOCCHIO: (Convinced he has Gepetto outwitted) So I guess I
cant go to school.
GEPETTO: You must still go to school even if you dont have a
coat.
PINOCCHIO: Ill freeze.
GEPETTO: I know, my poor Pinocchio.
PINOCCHIO: So whatever shall I do?

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By Dan Neidermyer

GEPETTO: I dont know. (A beat while he thinks) Oh, yes. Ive

got an idea. A friend of mine is a tailor. His shop is only a few
doors down the street. Ill quickly go down to his tailor shop
and ask him to trade me a coat he has made for a toy I have
made.
PINOCCHIO: Trade? What is trade?
GEPETTO: (To the audience) Ah, you see, he doesnt even
know the meaning of words. (To Pinocchio) Indeed, that is
why you must go to school, my Pinocchio, to learn the
meaning of words and so much more.
PINOCCHIO: Okay.
GEPETTO: (As hes exiting) Now, Pinocchio, Im only going
several doors down the street. Not far, and I wont be gone
long. You wait her for me.
PINOCCHIO: I will.
GEPETTO: Promise?
PINOCCHIO: I wont move a limb.
GEPETTO: Promise?
PINOCCHIO: Cross my heart.
GEPETTO: And hope to die?
PINOCCHIO: And hope to die.
GEPETTO: Stick a needle in your eye?
PINOCCHIO: Stick a needle in my eye, but it wont hurt, Gepetto.
GEPETTO: Maybe not, but breaking your promise will.
PINOCCHIO: Dont worry, Gepetto.
GEPETTO: (Happily, as hes exiting) All right, I wont worry. You
stay right there, Pinocchio. Ill be right back from the tailors
with a new coat for you. Ph, Im so happy, my little wooden
Pinocchio. (Exits.)
Now alone, PINOCCHIO considers his position.
PINOCCHIO: (To himself) Do I really want to go to school? Do I
really need to learn all that stuff? (To the audience) What do
you think? Do I really need to go to school? (Usually, the
audience responds with yes) Really?! (Again, another yes)
Why? (Listens to the various answers, then rather impishly)
No! Im smart enough. I dont want to go to school. I dont
need to learn the meaning of words or how to count or how to
read. So, I think Ill just strike out on my own. Gepetto can
make another little wooden puppet, but as for me, Im going
to see the world!!!

13

Pinocchio!

Determined, PINOCCHIO moves toward the exit, very much the

little and foolish adventurer. The BLUE FAIRY enters.
BLUE FAIRY: (Kindly) And where do you think youre going?
PINOCCHIO: (Taken by surprise; quickly) Im going to see the
world!
BLUE FAIRY: A wooden puppet . . . alone . . . running away?
PINOCCHIO: Im not running away.
BLUE FAIRY: What else would you call leaving without telling
Gepetto?
PINOCCHIO: Gepetto doesnt care.
BLUE FAIRY: Oh, yes, he does. Gepetto cares very much. Hell
be very sad if he returns from the tailors shop and finds you
gone, Pinocchio.
PINOCCHIO: You know my name?
BLUE FAIRY: (Nodding) Yes.
PINOCCHIO: How? Who are you?
BLUE FAIRY: Surely you already know.
PINOCCHIO: I do?
BLUE FAIRY: When you were in the forest
PINOCCHIO: (Proudly interrupting) I was part of a tree.
BLUE FAIRY: Just as I was the fairy of all the trees in the forest.
PINOCCHIO: Youre the Blue Fairy?! (Blue Fairy nods and
smiles) WOW! What are you doing here?
BLUE FAIRY: I hope to keep you from doing something most
foolish.
PINOCCHIO: Foolish! Me??
BLUE FAIRY: Yes. Running away from Gepettos toy shop would
be
PINOCCHIO: But Im not running away. I only want to see the
world.
BLUE FAIRY: Without asking Gepetto first?
PINOCCHIO: (Too quickly) He wouldnt let me. Hed say I have
to go to school.
BLUE FAIRY: (Amazed) A wooden puppet going to school?
PINOCCHIO: Thats what I think too, Blue Fairy.
BLUE FAIRY: Pinocchio, you must not run away. Gepetto will
worry too much.
PINOCCHIO: No, he wont. Im only a puppet.
BLUE FAIRY: Gepetto will be concerned. Very concerned.
PINOCCHIO: About a block of wood?

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By Dan Neidermyer

BLUE FAIRY: That can talk (Pinocchio proudly shakes his head
yes) and can walk (Another big yes) and could get into
trouble!
PINOCCHIO: (Which abruptly stops the preening Pinocchio)
What kind of trouble would I get into? Im only wood.
BLUE FAIRY: (Very kindly) You want to be a real boy?
PINOCCHIO: Oh yes, Blue Fairy, more than anything. Blue
Fairy, you could do it.
BLUE FAIRY: Do what?
PINOCCHIO: Make me a real boy.
BLUE FAIRY: How could I do that?
PINOCCHIO: I dont know exactly, but you fairies can build
castles in the air.
BLUE FAIRY: Not quite.
PINOCCHIO: (Not giving up) You could twirl your wand, say a
few special magic words, and poof (Snapping his fingers) Id
be a real boy!
BLUE FAIRY: Just like that?!
PINOCCHIO: Just like that! Whatd ya say? Will you do it? Will
you make me a real boy?
BLUE FAIRY: If you deserved it, perhaps.
PINOCCHIO: If I deserved it?
BLUE FAIRY: If you were a good boy
PINOCCHIO: You think Im not?
BLUE FAIRY: Running away is not
PINOCCHIO: But Im not running away.
BLUE FAIRY: And youll go to school?
PINOCCHIO: (Walking towards the exit) Im on my way now.
BLUE FAIRY: Without telling Gepetto first?
PINOCCHIO: Thats what he wanted me to do go to school.
BLUE FAIRY: He wanted you to stay here. In that chair. Until he
returned from the tailor.
PINOCCHIO: Ah, gee, Blue Fairy, you know everything. Okay, Ill
wait here, in that chair, until Gepetto returns. Then Ill rush off
to school, and youll (Snaps his fingers) Make me a real boy.
BLUE FAIRY: Perhaps.
PINOCCHIO: Perhaps?
BLUE FAIRY: You must always tell the truth.
PINOCCHIO: ah, thats simple.
BLUE FAIRY: Good. Then do it, Pinocchio. Always be truthful.
PINOCCHIO: If it makes me a real boy, you got it, Blue Fairy.
BLUE FAIRY: Telling the truth wont make you a real boy,
Pinocchio. Telling the truth is the mark of a real boy.
15

Pinocchio!

PINOCCHIO: Okay, whatever, but youll do it, right?

BLUE FAIRY: If youll do
PINOCCHIO: I know, I know stay here and wait for Gepetto,
then go to school to learn how to read, how to write, and how
to count
BLUE FAIRY: And many other things.
PINOCCHIO: Okay, okay and learn many other things and
then then, youll make me a real boy. (Blue Fairy shakes
her heard No) But you promised!
BLUE FAIRY: Have you forgotten already?
PINOCCHIO: (Thinks and thinks, then) Oh, yes, something so
simple. I must always tell the truth. (Blue Fairy nods, happily)
Blue Fairy, (Extending his hand) Youve got yourself a deal.
BLUE FAIRY: (Shaking on it) I do hope so, Pinocchio. (As she
exits) I do hope so.
PINOCCHIO: When will I see you again, Blue Fairy?
BLUE FAIRY: When you have proven yourself. (And she is
gone.)
PINOCCHIO: Which I will do, most definitely. (Seats himself and
is content for a few mere seconds. He begins to fidget, then
questions himself) But do I really want to go to school? How
will the Blue Fairy even know if I go to school? Except she
seems to know everything, but thats impossible unless
someone tells her. And who would tell her? Who cares about
a block of wood? (Seeking the counsel of the audience) Do
you think I should go to school? (Interacts with the audience
for several moments. Finally, regardless of what the audience
says) No, I dont think I should! I want to see the world! I will
see the world! Im going to have a good time . . . on my own!
PINOCCHIO exits, certainly much too bravely for a little wooden
puppet who doesnt understand what could happen to him out in
the world.
GEPETTO hurries in, pleased and excited with his trade. He
carries a coat. Not realizing Pinocchios gone.

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By Dan Neidermyer

GEPETTO: The tailor, he traded me this wonderful new coat for

a doll, Pinocchio. He wanted the doll for his daughter even as
I wanted the coat for my Pinocchio. (Realizing Pinocchio is no
longer in his shop) Pinocchio? (Looking around) Pinocchio?
(Calling) Pinocchio? Where are you, Pinocchio? (After a few
moments, Gepetto, very concerned, asks the audience about
Pinocchio and interacts with them. Finally) Oh, dear, my little
Pinocchio has run away from home! Whatever shall I do? I
must try to find him before anything happens to him. (Exits
the staging area, calling) Pinocchio! Pinocchio! Pinocchio!
Act One, Scene 2
The Great Puppet Theatre near GEPETTOS toy shop
At the Directors discretion, a colorful song and dance performed
by various puppets open this scene. Or perhaps a magic show.
Then, offstage:
MARIGOLD: No, Kelso! No, no, no!
From the sound of their voices as they enter, MARIGOLD and
KELSO, both puppets, have been having a real go-round about
something!
KELSO: Wont you even consider it for one moment?
MARIGOLD: If I do, then itll be two moments, then five
moments, then fifty moments, and before you know it, weve
gotten ourselves into very deep trouble! With no way out!
KELSO: Weve got to run away, Marigold!
MARIGOLD: How can we? Were puppets!
KELSO: Running away is our only hope! Please, please,
Marigold, think about our situation: you want to stay enslaved
to this Great Puppet Theatre forever!
MARIGOLD: But as Puppets, what choice do we have? Every
time they pull our strings, weve got to jump to it! (He
pantomimes someone pulling his strings with the appropriate
reaction: he jumps to it!) Five shows a day. Seven days a
week. For how many weeks has it been? No, Marigold, how
many years has it been? Without a break!
MARIGOLD: We were carved to do that.

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Pinocchio!

KELSO: (Trying to get her to listen to reason) We were made to

entertain children. Not work our feet and hands to the bare
screws that hold us together.
MARIGOLD: We do entertain children, every day. They laugh.
They clap.
KELSO: For the ten minutes a day that we make children happy,
we have ten hours a day of misery, ten hours of being thrown
around by Sterling and Candlewyck.
MARIGOLD: Theyll cut our strings if they know were talking like
this!
KELSO: So?
MARIGOLD: So whatll we do then? End up thrown into a heap,
left to collect dust in the stage wagons closet? Never see the
light of day!
KELSO: When have you had new paint on your shoes or even
your hair? When have you had a new dress, Marigold?
MARIGOLD: (Looking at her costume) Never.
KELSO: They dont care about us. To them, were just blocks of
wood.
MARIGOLD: Were just blocks of wood to ourselves.
KELSO: Im doing it, Marigold, running away. Whether you come
with me or not. But please come with me.
MARIGOLD: I cant.
KELSO: Im getting out of here.
MARIGOLD: Please, dont. If you do, Ill be left all alone. I wont
have anyone to talk to if you run away.
KELSO: Whatdya call the other hundreds of puppets in this
show?
MARIGOLD: But none of them have your heart, Kelso. Please
dont leave me alone.
KELSO: Then you only have one choice, Marigold.
Suddenly, quite loudly, from offstage.
STERLING: Hurry, hurry, hurry! Step right up! Be the first
And entering, a most colorful fop, STERLING, hawking his
wares, very much the carnival barker. But dont ever let his
salesmans smile fool you! Underneath all, STERLINGS a real
scoundrel. The two puppets immediately hush themselves and
straighten up!

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By Dan Neidermyer

STERLING: - to see one hundred dancing puppets in the most

exciting show on earth! None finer! None more exciting! No
where else but here: the Great Puppet Theatre. A show
performed by the most colorful and most delightful puppets in
all the world! And all for only twenty-five cents! At the Great
Puppet Theatre! Hurry, hurry, hurry! See Marigold, the
dancing puppet with poise and grace that would shame the
worlds prima ballerinas! See Kelso the clown do amazing
stunts, acrobatics, and if your lucky, hell even disappear in a
blaze of smoke! But only at selected shows! Yes, hurry, hurry,
hurry, see the most beautiful puppets in the whole wide world
performing just for you! Hurry, hurry, hurry! Step right up!
Dont miss the greatest puppet show in all the world! Hurry,
hurry, hur
Seeing the two puppets, STERLING, for no apparent reason
becomes suspicious.
STERLING: You two! What are you doing here? (Crossing to
them, angrily) When you should be getting ready for the next
show!
KELSO: Please, Sterling
STERLING: (Interrupting, imitating Kelso) Please, Sterling, can
only mean something disgusting. What?
KELSO: Could we have a break from the next show?
STERLING: A break?! Ill show you puppets a break. (Moving
about the stage, searching) Wheres my saw?
MARIGOLD: (Frightened) No! Weve worked so hard, so long,
please, Sterling
STERLING: Youre puppets. You dont mind hard work. You
dont mind anything. Including what I told you to do two hours
ago! I wanted this stage floor swept and mopped cleaner than
clean so my new puppets shoes wont get dirty. (Reaching
down to touch the floor) And did you do it? (Wiping his finger
across the floor, apparently finding a speck of dust, then
looking at his finger, seeing the speck of dust, and with
delight, saying) No!
MARIGOLD: We did the best we could.
STERLING: Which is bad, downright lousy. Honestly, when Im
not here to pull your strings, nothing gets done! Im warning
you, both of you, youll do as youre pulled or you wont be
hanging around here anymore!

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Pinocchio!

PINOCCHIO enters, very innocent, and catches STERLINGS

eye.
STERLING: (Changing his demeanor immediately) Oh, hello,
little mister. Coming to our show?
PINOCCHIO: (Innocently) Im on my way to see the world.
STERLING: After seeing our show I hope.
PINOCCHIO: Your show?
STERLING: The greatest show on earth.
PINOCCHIO: (With wide-eyed wonderment) The greatest show
on earth! All the earth?
STERLING: (The braggart) None like it anywhere.
PINOCCHIO: WOW!
STERLING: (Thrusting out his hand) Only a quarter.
PINOCCHIO: A quarter?
STERLING: Ya didnt think youd get in for free now, did ya?
PINOCCHIO: For free? I dont know what that means.
STERLING: Dont play dumb, kid. To get in to see this great
show costs money. Usually fifty cents, but for you, today,
because you look like a nice kid, Ill cut you a break only a
quarter.
PINOCCHIO: (Who has no money) Not today.
STERLING: Something more important doing today?
PINOCCHIO: Yes.
STERLING: What?
PINOCCHIO: Im off to see the world.
STERLING: So you said. Our show is the world.
PINOCCHIO: Well, I mean, Im on my way to (Hesitating)
STERLING: (After a beat) To - ?
PINOCCHIO: - to STERLING: Yes? Im waiting. Youre on your way to
PINOCCHIO: The grocery store.
STERLING: (Snidely) To get your mother some groceries
perhaps.
PINOCCHIO: Yes, thats it. Im on my way to the grocery store to
get my mother some groceries.
From offstage:
BLUE FAIRY: Pinocchio.
PINOCCHIO: (Looking around) What?
STERLING: Well, little mister, the grocery store is
PINOCCHIO: Ive got a name.
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By Dan Neidermyer

STERLING: Really!
PINOCCHIO: (Happily) Yes.
STERLING: Is it Squirt?
PINOCCHIO: No, (Even happier) its Pinocchio.
STERLING: Well, Pinocchio, if youre going to the grocery store,
youre going the wrong way.
PINOCCHIO: Actually, Im on my way to the library.
From offstage:
BLUE FAIRY: Pinocchio.
PINOCCHIO: (Responding to the Blue Fairy) But I am on my
way to
STERLING: Nowhere!
PINOCCHIO: Nowhere?
STERLING: There is no library in that direction.
PINOCCHIO: Maybe Im mixed up.
STERLING: Youre not mixed up, kid, youre running away.
PINOCCHIO: No.
STERLING: And Ive got just the place for you to run to!
PINOCCHIO: Im not running away!
STERLING: Ah, come on, Pinocchio, do you think I was born
yesterday?
PINOCCHIO: I was.
STERLING: What?
PINOCCHIO: I mean I helped make a puppet yesterday.
STERLING: You help make puppets?
PINOCCHIO: (Proudly) I am one!
MARIGOLD and KELSO, who have been sweeping and mopping
the floor, upon hearing PINOCCHIOS proud outburst, gasp!
STERLING: (Quickly turning to the astonished puppets; sharply)
Silence! Or the saw! (Back to Pinocchio) So, youre a puppet.
PINOCCHIO: Of course.
STERLING: But youve got no strings!
PINOCCHIO: Im not your usual puppet! I dont need strings.
See . . . I can walk without strings!
Again, the two puppets gasp! Which is silenced in mid-gasp by
an angry look from STERLING, who then turns to PINOCCHIO
and rather nicely, even apparently impressed, says:

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Pinocchio!

STERLING: And you talk!

PINOCCHIO: And Ive got a brain.
STERLING: Which youre not using since youre running away.
PINOCCHIO: What?
STERLING: (Thinking to himself yet directed to the audience) A
wooden puppet who walks without strings . . . and a wooden
puppet who talks . . . and a wooden puppet who is running
away from home . . . ah, yes, this could certainly bring good
fortune . . . for me . . . and this wooden puppet who talks and
walks without strings could be worth quite a fortune to the
Great Puppet Theatre!
PINOCCHIO: Whats that youre saying?
STERLING: I said, Such a smart puppet would surely like to see
the grandest show on earth at our Great Puppet Theatre.
PINOCCHIO: Perhaps. But I dont have time today.
STERLING: A wooden puppet going nowhere doesnt have time
to see our show?
PINOCCHIO: But I am going somewhere.
STERLING: Yes (Grabbing Pinocchio) With me!
PINOCCHIO: No! No!
CANDLEWYCK, another rapscallion from the Great Puppet
Theatre, enters. Even as KELSO and MARIGOLD become
terribly concerned.
CANDLEWYCK: What is this, Sterling?
STERLING: (Still clutching Pinocchio) An uncooperative little
wooden puppet.
CANDLEWYCK: Ah! An uncooperative little wooden puppet, eh?
STERLING: Most uncooperative, Candlewyck.
CANDLEWYCK: (Shaking his head) Ah, too bad. (Also clutching
the puppet) You know what we do with most uncooperative
little wooden puppets?
PINOCCHIO: Please, I dont want to be here.
CANDLEWYCK: We get a saw
PINOCCHIO: NO!
CANDLEWYCK: - and saw off a leg, then we
PINOCCHIO: You wouldnt!
MARIGOLD AND KELSO: They would!
CANDLEWYCK: (Agreeing with the puppets) Yes, we would.
PINOCCHIO: I want to go home.
STERLING: Obviously not. You ran away.
CANDLEWYCK: He ran away?
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By Dan Neidermyer

STERLING: Yes, Candlewyck, this little wooden puppet who

has no strings
CANDLEWYCK: No strings?
STERLING: None.
CANDLEWYCK: How interesting.
STERLING: How good for us.
CANDLEWYCK: For us?
STERLING: (Rubbing his fingers together, thus indicating
money, lots of money) Everyone will want to come to see a
puppet without strings. Well be
CANDLEWYCK: Rich!
STERLING: Very!
CANDLEWYCK: And quickly!
STERLING: Easy money. Made easier because he the puppet
ran away.
CANDLEWYCK: Then no one is looking for him.
PINOCCHIO: Gepetto is.
CANDLEWYCK AND STERLING: (Most sarcastically) Gepetto?
Whos Gepetto?
PINOCCHIO: The toymaker who carved me.
CANDLEWYCK: And wholl never find you.
PINOCCHIO: Gepettos looking for me.
CANDLEWYCK: Why would he be looking for you?
PINOCCHIO: I was supposed to stay in the toy shop.
STERLING: But didnt, huh? (Pinocchio sadly nods) Remember
that, Candlewyck. This puppets not to be trusted.
PINOCCHIO: Gepettos probably looking for me right now.
CANDLEWYCK: Right now? (Motioning Sterling to join him in a
secret discussion, several steps away from the puppet)
Sterling.
STERLING: (Joining Candlewyck) Yeah?
CANDLEWYCK: A puppet without strings that walks and talks
STERLING: Pretty nifty, huh.
CANDLEWYCK: We could become famous with this puppet
STERLING: And rich.
CANDLEWYCK: Very!
STERLING: And quickly!
CANDLEWYCK: I cant wait.
STERLING: We wont.

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Pinocchio!

CANDLEWYCK: Ive got an idea. (Rushing back to clutch

Pinocchio) Sterling, you hide this puppet while I look around
outside for Gepetto. Then, well take this puppet with us. (To
Pinocchio) Youll see the world, wooden head, just like you
wanted to. And well make a fortune, just like we want to!
PINOCCHIO: No!
CANDLEWYCK: (Exiting) Back soon.
STERLING: Now, puppet, come this way.
STERLING ad libs as he seeks to hide PINOCCHIO. He can
hide PINOCCHIO onstage or somewhere in the audience
(perhaps behind several children). He even asks the audience to
help him hide the puppet.
MARIGOLD: Oh, that poor puppet.
KELSO: Maybe not.
MARIGOLD: Maybe not?
KELSO: Hes got no strings.
MARIGOLD: I never saw a puppet without strings before.
KELSO: And a puppet who can move on his own. He could be of
great help to us.
MARIGOLD: How?
KELSO: Ssh youll see.
GEPETTO: (Entering, calling, searching) Pinocchio! Pinocchio!
Where are you, Pinocchio?
STERLING: (To the being-hid Pinocchio) Im warning you,
puppet, keep quiet!
GEPETTO: (Noticing Sterling) Oh, excuse me, kind sir. Could
you be of help to me?
STERLING: (Most kindly) Certainly, sir.
GEPETTO: My name is Gepetto. Im a woodcarver. I make toys
for children.
STERLING: How nice.
GEPETTO: Just today I finished a wondrous toy, a puppet.
STERLING: A puppet?
GEPETTO: (Proudly, fondly) A most unusual puppet. A puppet
who can talk and walks without strings.
STERLING: Id agree with you, a most unusual puppet.
GEPETTO: Have you seen such a puppet? His name is
Pinocchio?
STERLING: No, cant say as I have.

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By Dan Neidermyer

GEPETTO: Hes about this (Gesturing the appropriate height)

tall. Hes got round cheeks and (Gives a description of
Pinocchio consistent with your actor.)
STERLING: No, sorry. Havent seen him.
PINOCCHIO: (From his hiding place, muffled cries) Gepetto.
Gepetto. Here I am, Gepetto.
GEPETTO: (Thinking hes heard his Pinocchio) Pinocchio.
(Moving in the direction of the muffled cries) Pinocchio?
Pinocchio?
STERLING: (Quickly moving to Gepettos side) Hes not here.
No puppet like youve described has been here.
GEPETTO: Youre certain?
STERLING: Would I kid you, Gepetto?
GEPETTO: (Uncertain) I guess not.
STERLING: Your puppets nowhere here.
GEPETTO: Nowhere?
STERLING: Nowhere.
GEPETTO: If you do see my little Pinocchio, you will
STERLING: Let you know immediately. Of course, Id feel the
same way if Id lost one of my puppets. Id want to know right
away.
GEPETTO: Oh, thank you, thank you. Youve been so kind.
(Exiting, calling) Pinocchio! Pinocchio! Where are you,
Pinocchio?
STERLING: (Moving to the hidden Pinocchio, whom he pulls
form the hiding place) So, Pinocchio, you thought that old
wood carver would find you, did you? Well, he didnt. And he
wont. Because youre coming with Candlewyck and me.
PINOCCHIO: No.
STERLING: Yes! And now! But until we leave youre going to
work. (Pulling Pinocchio from his hiding place to the front of
the staging area) Youll clean the floor of our Great Puppet
Theatre (As hes getting a mop). And after that, youll work,
lots of work. Cinderella will have nothing on you! (Laughs
loudly at his own joke as he pulls Pinocchio offstage.
Candlewyck yanks the other two puppets offstage as):
The curtains fall.

25

Pinocchio!

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