the adventures of pinocchio
Choreography by JULIE TOMAINO
Directed by SHEILA MCCARTHY
Young People’s Theatre, Toronto, ON
Dora Award Winner
OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL CHOREOGRAPHY
A Note from JulieThe Adventures of Pinocchio was another job where I knew it could mean something. It was my first time working on a production that could be Dora-nominated because it was in Toronto. We had a standout cast, and I had cool opportunities to create movement: there was a Fosse number, a fun, scrappy ensemble number, and a tap solo for Pinocchio, who was a very advanced tapper. I knew those were opportunities to show what I can do.
This show came on the heels of my stroke, which also felt like a moment of "I have to prove myself." I don't have to dance everything for them. I can choreograph in a new way.
Sheila McCarthy is such a phenomenal Director, and caring and kind. She visited me in the rehab hospital and said, "You'll have a job on the other side of this. You'll choreograph The Adventures of Pinocchio for me in 2019." It gave me something to look forward to, and it offered me so much hope. And I won the Dora Award.
The Adventures of Pinocchio Video
