INCANTO PRODUCTIONS ANNOUNCES THE PREMIERE OF PINOCCHIO POP
A Unique Bilingual Edu-Show for Schools and Families
Incanto Productions is excited to announce the opening of PINOCCHIO POP, a unique new edu-show created for schools and families. The production will premiere on March 18, 2026, at the prestigious Williamson Theatre, College of Staten Island, and will then tour four additional Off-Broadway–scale venues across the NYC Tri-State area: The Rosen Theatre (NJ), The Welte Auditorium (CT), Queens Theatre in the Park (NY), and The Bayway Arts Center (NY).
The tour is expected to reach over 4,000 students, offering them a powerful bilingual, experiential learning opportunity through music and theatre. This special production celebrates two extraordinary milestones: the 200th anniversary of the birth of Carlo Collodi, creator of Pinocchio, and the 60th anniversary of the legendary Italian band Pooh, whose music has shaped generations.
Pinocchio Pop brings an innovative, modern vision with a strong Italian flavor, enriched by a distinctive New York influence. The songs are written by the legendary band Pooh and created by its historic members and collaborators, including Valerio Negrini, Roby Facchinetti, Dodi Battaglia, Red Canzian, and Stefano D’Orazio, honoring their unparalleled contribution to Italian musical culture.
The production is presented in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute in New York (Director Claudio Pagliara), the Education Office of the Italian Consulate in New York ( Director, Daniele Castellani), ITALEA Piemonte, UNICO National, and the Global EduLanguage Foundation.
Directed by Simona Rodano and Andrew Rasmussen (Cardinal Theatricals), Pinocchio Pop is conceived as a joyful sing-along edu-show in which Pinocchio and all the beloved characters meet the audience through rhythm, music, and interaction, transforming students who are studying Italian at school into active participants in the story. The script is written by Simona Rodano and Sebina Montagno. The multilingual adaptations are by Pasqualino Beltempo.
This Off-Broadway–style production features an award-winning cast including: Simona Rodano (also known as The Italian Fairy), Pasqualino Beltempo, Arianna Stendardo, Giuseppe Agostaro, Giorgia Picano, Jasmin Cicchino, Emanuele Fiore, and Giovanni Soave.
The visual magic of the production is brought to life by: Ryve Obien, creative mind behind the 3D mapping design, Christian Tourdot, stage design and 3D animation, TDF Costumes (New York), costumes, Johna Mancini, props designer, renowned for his work on Federico Fellini’s 1983 film And the Ship Sails On
Pinocchio Pop is not only a celebration of a timeless fairytale, but also a bridge between Italian cultural heritage and contemporary education, honoring 200 years of Collodi’s imagination and 60 years of Pooh’s musical legacy, while inspiring new generations through art, language, and wonder.
“We are delighted to support Pinocchio Pop, a vibrant and imaginative show performed by outstanding artists who succeed in engaging students with the Italian language in a dynamic and creative way. Through music, theater, and visual expression, the production transforms language learning into an enriching cultural experience that stays with young audiences long after the performance. It is a testament to the power of the arts in fostering genuine appreciation for Italian culture.”
Claudio Pagliara, Director, Italian Cultural Institute of New York
“This is the kind of activity that our students deserve, and I hope in the future you will continue to join projects like this to make Italian language learning more creative, more effective, and to have happy children studying Italian.”
Daniele Castellani, Ph.D., Director, Education Office, Consulate General of Italy in New York
“We are thrilled to bring an educational and multicultural show to schools and families, carrying the timeless message of embracing different cultures and languages while learning through music and theater.”
Simona Rodano, Incanto Productions
“The language proposed by the company speaks directly to young people who study Italian and learn it through the use of the arts. There’s truly nothing better.”
Prof. Marcello Carlino, Contemporary Italian Literature, Università La Sapienza, Rome
About Incanto Productions
Since 2008, Incanto Productions, a Queens-based NYC theater company, has specialized in multicultural and multilingual productions for schools and families. The company is dedicated to improving and expanding the teaching and learning of all languages, for all ages and at all levels of instruction. With over 100,000 young patrons reached throughout the NYC Tri-State area, Incanto Productions’ Off-Broadway–scale shows include:
Italian, The Magical World of The Italian Fairy, Sette Mondi: Seven Worlds, Sempreverde, Pinocchio Pop, and Treasure Hunt: Caccia al Tesoro.