‘Pinocchio’ Fairy-Tale Gets Offbeat Production

In the Peter Pan Players’ version of “Pinocchio,” a clown sings “Stand by Me,” Geppetto yells “what’s a matta you” and Pinocchio break dances.

Although the first scenes unfold with “cool cats,” singing sheep and other offbeat characters, the fairy tale ends in conventional form: wooden boy makes good by saving distraught father from whale.

The cheerful production features 40 children, including the stars: Nick Green as Pinocchio, Nathaniel Dawkins as Geppetto and Adrienne Malena as the Cricket. Monica Bromberg plays the Blue Fairy, Angela Gage the stage director, and Alison Valenti and Danielle McDermott the two cool cats. Ann Harrison is narrator.

Directed by Saul Siedman, “Pinocchio” continues with shows today at 1 and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at Iglesia Community Park, 24671 Via Iglesia, Laguna Hills. Tickets: 50 cents to $1. Information: (714) 830-8318.