St. Charles Borromeo School in Destrehan and Missoula Children’s Theatre recently presented “Pinocchio” at the school. More than 50 students performed in the adaptation of the classic tale. Sixth-grader Gillian Gallardo had the lead role of Pinocchio, Morgan Nobile played Jiminy Cricket, and Olivia Messina played the Blue Fairy. Missoula tour actor/director Casey Bjornrud played Mrs. Geppetto and Stromboli.

Other cast members were Haley Caluda as Fox, Katie Brady as Cat, Abby Nette as Candlewick, Emily Broders, Katherine Cannon, Brice Budwine and Alyssa Smith as Candlewick’s Crew, Molly Caluda, Nikki Champagne, Madison Cochran, Ashley Deshotel, Kaelyn Johnson, Natalie Heath, Emily Hymel, Alayna Melancon, Francesca Roussel and Jamie VanDenAkker as the Urchins, Elizabeth Engler, Karleigh Moran and Casey St. Pierre as puppets, Margaret Bordelon, Kolby Bourgeois, Caroline Colomb, Lindsey Crouchet, Cole Di Maggio, Nicholas Gendron, Noelle Kelley, Nicholas Lacour, Stephanie Mayberry, Kassidy Meredith, Chloe Nesbit, Maria Pinero, Dylan Poole, Sydney Twiner and Maria Schexnaydre as the school kids, Avery Bourdonnay, William Bryant, Grace DeLaune, Megan Deshotel, Elise Detillier, Mary Harty, Madeleine Harmon, Cameron Heitler, David Kelley, Reid Landeche, Amiri Mason and Brooke Nuss as the toys.

Michael Bordelon, Andrew Degeyter, Cameron DiMaggio and Allison Zoglio were the assistant directors to Missoula tour actor/director Brandon Price. Kristen Brooks was the accompanist.

Students in kindergarten through seventh grade auditioned for parts to present the play with the internationally know theatre company, based in Montana.

The Missoula company travels throughout the country, presenting plays to increase children’s interest in the arts. Missoula’s actors and directors visit schools and community theatres for one week at a time to stage a production, casting local children to play most of the roles.

The local performance was presented in part with financing from a grant presented by the Montana Arts Council, an agency of the State Government, and the National Endowment for the Arts; Ford Motor Company, River Region Arts and Humanities Council, and the Houma Regional Arts Council.