Pinocchio Casting Announced

Pinocchio Casting Announced

Many Debuts in Lead Roles
March 13 – 22

March 3, 2026… Hope Muir, Joan and Jerry Lozinski Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, shared the casting for Olivier Award-winning choreographer Will Tuckett’s Pinocchio which is onstage at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts March 13 – 22. 

Created for the National Ballet in 2017, this reimagined Pinocchio will feature several debuts this season. Dancing the title role of Pinocchio are Second Soloists Noah Parets and David Preciado and Corps de Ballet member Alexander Skinner. The role of the Blue Fairy will be performed by Principal Dancers Beckanne Sisk, Koto Ishihara and Agnes Su and Geppetto will be danced by Principal Dancer Larkin Miller, First Soloist Donald Thom and Second Soloist Josh Hall.

Tuckett has made revisions to his acclaimed production including the addition of Narrators, voiced by professional actors, who guide Pinocchio on his many adventures and draw audience members more deeply into the story. The Narrators are performed by AJ Bridel, Andrew Broderick, Maya Doherty and Trevor Patt. The production also features American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation by Marcia Adolphe at every performance to further support the storytelling and uphold the company’s commitment to providing access for all. 

Visually spectacular, Pinocchio combines magical stagecraft, breathtaking dancing and even a whimsical touch of Canadiana. An original score by Paul Englishby draws from numerous musical sources, including jazz and West End musicals, and colourful sets and costumes are designed by Colin Richmond with lighting by Oliver Fenwick and projections by Douglas O’Connell.

Pinocchio is a delightful adventure with something for everyone. Discounts for children 13 and under are available for all performances. 

About Pinocchio

Casting

Pinocchio
Noah Parets (March 13, 14, 18, 20, 21 at 7:30 pm)
David Preciado (March 14, 15 at 2:00 pm / March 19 at 7:30 pm)
Alexander Skinner (March 19, 21, 22 at 2:00 pm)

Geppetto
Donald Thom (March 13, 14, 18, 20, 21 at 7:30 pm)
Josh Hall (March 14, 15 at 2:00 pm / March 19 at 7:30 pm)
Larkin Miller (March 19, 21, 22 at 2:00 pm)

Blue Fairy
Beckanne Sisk (March 13, 14, 18, 20, 21 at 7:30 pm)
Koto Ishihara (March 14, 15 at 2:00 pm / March 19 at 7:30 pm)
Agnes Su (March 19, 21, 22 at 2:00 pm)

Cat
Jenna Savella (March 13, 14, 18, 20, 21 at 7:30 pm)
Tirion Law (March 14, 15 at 2:00 pm / March 19 at 7:30 pm)
Hannah Galway (March 19, 21, 22 at 2:00 pm)

Fox
Isaac Wright (March 13, 14, 18, 20, 21 at 7:30 pm)
Jason Ferro (March 14, 15 at 2:00 pm / March 19 at 7:30 pm)
Keaton Leier (March 19, 21, 22 at 2:00 pm)

Ringmaster
Naoya Ebe (March 13, 14, 18, 20, 21 at 7:30 pm)
Ben Rudisin (March 14, 15 at 2:00 pm / March 19 at 7:30 pm)
Chase O’Connell (March 19, 21, 22 at 2:00 pm)

Puppet Master
Trygve Cumpston (March 13, 14, 18, 20, 21 at 7:30 pm) 
Hamish Lowe (March 14, 15 at 2:00 pm / March 19 at 7:30 pm)
Matthieu Pagès (March 19, 21, 22 at 2:00 pm)

Narrator, Schoolmistress & Barmaid
Maya Doherty (March 13, 14, 18, 20, 21 at 7:30 pm / March 19, 21, 22 at 2:00 pm) 
AJ Bridel (March 14, 15 at 2:00 pm / March 19 at 7:30 pm)

Narrator
Trevor Patt (March 13, 14, 18, 20, 21 at 7:30 pm / March 19, 21, 22 at 2:00 pm) 
Andrew Broderick (March 14, 15 at 2:00 pm / March 19 at 7:30 pm)

Casting subject to change.

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2025/26 Season Sponsor: BMO

Lead philanthropic support for Pinocchio is provided by The Walter Carsen New Creations Fund. Additional support is provided by Rosamond Ivey, Tim & Frances Price, an anonymous friend, The Volunteer Committee of The National Ballet of Canada and The Producers’ Circle. 

The Producers’ Circle (2017): Gail & Mark Appel, John & Claudine Bailey, Inger Bartlett & Marshal Stearns, Susanne Boyce & Brendan Mullen, Gail Drummond & Bob Dorrance, The Thor E. and Nicole Eaton Family Charitable Foundation, Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan, Kevin & Roger Garland, C.M., The William & Nona Heaslip Foundation, Rosamond Ivey, Hal Jackman Foundation, Anna McCowan-Johnson & Donald K. Johnson, O.C., Judy Korthals & Peter Irwin, Judith & Robert Lawrie, Mona & Harvey Levenstein, Jerry Lozinski, O.C. & Joan Lozinski, O.C., The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain, C.C., Julie Medland, Sandra Pitblado, C.M. & Jim Pitblado, C.M., Lynda & Jonas Prince, Susan Scace & Arthur Scace, C.M., K.C., Gerald Sheff & Shanitha Kachan, Sandra Simpson and Noreen Taylor, C.M. & David Staines, C.M., O.Ont.  

The National Ballet of Canada’s Accessibility Initiatives are made possible thanks to lead philanthropic support by Sherry & Edward Drew, The Anna McCowan-Johnson Dance Accessibility Fund, The Lawrence Schafer Foundation, The McLean Foundation with additional support from Ruth Watts-Gransden. 

Naoya Ebe is sponsored through Dancers First by Gretchen Ross. 

Tirion Law is sponsored through Dancers First by Anne-Marie Canning. 

Ben Rudisin is sponsored through Dancers First by Sylvie Allard & Brian O’Keefe.  

Hannah Galway is sponsored through Dancers First by Alison & Alan Schwartz.

Keaton Leier is sponsored through Dancers First by Donald & Suzanne Kopas. 

Noah Parets is sponsored through Dancers First by John Covington Jr & Robert Lukey.   

Alexander Skinner is sponsored through Dancers First by Anne & David LeGresley.   

The National Ballet of Canada gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of the Canada Council for the Arts; the Ontario Arts Council; the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council; the Government of Canada – Department of Canadian Heritage with the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages; and the Government of Ontario with the Honourable Stan Cho, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming and Minister of Sport. 

Former Principal Character Artist Jonathan Renna and Jack Bertinshaw in Pinocchio. Photo by Aleksandar Antonijevic. Courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada.

For more information and interview opportunities, please contact: 

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Andréa Grau, Founder and Owner
Keira Hunt, Senior Manager of Publicity and Promotions
Chelsea Cabello, Senior Publicist
NBOC@touchwoodpr.com 

The National Ballet of Canada
Catherine Chang, Associate Director of Communications & Content Strategy
Sarah Johnsen, Interim Communications Manager
Media@national.ballet.ca