Since my husband, my son, and I are avid theatergoers (as well as performers) it seems fitting to spend Mother's Day at Pendragon Theatre in Saranac Lake.

This Mother's Day heralds Pendragon's 32nd season with Kathryn Schultz Miller's adaptation of the classic children's novel, The Adventures of Pinocchio.

But this particular production is also in support of one of Pendragon's cast and crew members originally scheduled to play Geppetto. Kent Streed, who also designed the delightful costumes, was taken ill at the final dress rehearsal. But the show must go on, and director Matt Sorensen has stepped in to fill his shoes. There is a donation jar placed among the abundant refreshments on hand today for the absent Kent Streed.

The rest of the cast is a small and very talented ensemble that includes Zachary Richards as Pinocchio, Leslie Dame as Hickory Cricket, Chris McGovern as Lorenzo and Coachman, Donna Moschek and Clare Paulson in multiple parts, including puppets, fairies, and Cat and Fox.

The theatre is filled with children and adults of all ages and everyone here is enchanted with this Pendragon production. The set is a giant storybook with pages that the actors turn back and forth as different scenes unfold. The puppet portion of Hickory Cricket is exactly even with young Pinocchio's head which makes the scenes between the two most effective.

Pinocchio's nose grows in a very artistic way accompanied by slide whistle sound effects. And the original music composed by Phill Greenland helps transport us to the fairytale time and place.

The cast invites audience participation throughout by shouting out "cricket" at appropriate moments. And the audience is eager to comply. Toward the end of the play a child in the audience shouts out an enthusiastic "Yeah!" when the Good Fairy says, "I will grant your wish."

Pinocchio continues throughout the summer season along with these other scheduled productions: The Last Five Years (opens June 15), And A Nightingale Sang (Limited Run -opens July 3), The 39 Steps (Limited Run- opens July 18), and Shipwrecked (opens August 15).

For calendars and 2013 box office information, contact Pendragon through the web site and the link here.

--Kathleen Recchia has been enjoying the arts in the Adirondacks for about 20 years—both as observer and participant (acting, directing, and producing). She also enjoys cross-country skiing, juggling, and hosting visitors to the area at her bed & breakfast in Jay.