'Pop'-up performance entertains 800 at Central

On March 25, approximately 800 people gathered at Welte Auditorium for a performance of “Pinocchio Pop,” an edu-theater adaptation of Carlo Collodi’s world-famous children’s story. 

The performance was organized by Dr. Simone Puleo, professor of Italian in the Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures and director of the Italian Resource Center, in partnership with Simona Rodano, founder of Global Edulanguage Foundation and director of Incanto Productions, and Morris Borrea, esq. of UNICO Wethersfield.

“Pinocchio Pop” is an Italian musical theater show set to the music of the Italian rock band, Pooh, who released a concept album about "Pinocchio" in 2011. Pooh’s album was later turned into play, which was staged across Italy and Europe. 

With the band’s blessing, Rodano turned the show into an educational vehicle of the transmission of Italian language and culture. In the month of March, "Pinocchio Pop" toured theaters and schools across New York and New Jersey with Welte Auditorium at Central being the first and only stop in Connecticut. 

“Events such as these show the importance of world language and cultural study to excite and inspire young students,” Puleo said. 

The audience included Central students and community members along with students from 13 participating schools across Connecticut, including Pomperaug High School in Southbury, John F. Kennedy High School in Waterbury, Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in Waterbury, Italian Culture Center of Education, Crosby High School in Waterbury, South Windsor High School, Torrington High School, Northwestern Regional High School No. 7 in Winsted, Wethersfield High School, Plainville High School, Southington High School, Silas Deane Middle School, Oxford High School, and North Haven High School.

Image