Ralph Christy Jr. is navigating some unchartered territory as he brings the musical "Geppetto & Son" to the stage.

"Disney's Geppetto & Son" is a revisionist take on the classic fable "Pinocchio." The tale revealed from the viewpoint of the puppeteer parent is the work of composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz, creator of such shows as "Wicked," "Pippin" and "Godspell."

"I'd been seeing the show advertised and it was a great family show. As soon as it became available, I wanted it," Christy said. "We'll be the first to do it locally."

Christy said many of the elements from "Pinocchio" and the movie "Geppetto & Son" are all in the stage version. "You won't, however, see Jiminy Cricket or Figaro the cat," he cautioned.

"This show is perfect for families and has many lessons in it," he added.

He mentioned the themes of acceptance and expectations. "The show has the best opening number ever. It is really an amazing opening act. Perhaps one of the best opening numbers I've ever seen," he said.

In "Geppetto and Son," as in the original Pinocchio story, a wooden puppet aspires to become a real boy, and faces lessons about telling the truth. In the newer show, Pinocchio's dad has some lessons to learn in being a real father. After many adventures, the two manage to stumble into a caring, accepting relationship.

Staring in the role of Geppetto is Nathan Rockcastle of Butler Township who has appeared in numerous Sing Hosanna! productions.

"I play the father of Pinocchio and at the beginning I am complaining about the Fairy granting my wish," Rockcastle said. "Honestly, I can see some of me in him. As parents we all have those moments, when kids don't live up to our expectations."

The real challenge for the youthful Rockcastle is playing an old man. "I am playing him as an elderly fellow, more like what we see in 'Pinocchio' than in the more recent movie. The movements, voice and mannerisms are all taking some effort to master," he said.

Rockcastle has traditionally played roles that are younger than he is; this is the first stretch in the other direction.

And while Jordan Luntz, a sixth grader at Knoch Middle School, is definitely not a boy, she plays one in the role of Pinocchio.

"I've played boys before in other shows, so it isn't really that difficult for me," she said. "I love playing a boy because it is really an escape to get to be a whole different person."

Luntz, who has been singing and dancing since she could walk and talk, said she really enjoys all of the singing and dancing this role affords.

"My favorite song is probably 'I Got No Strings' but I really love all of them," she said.

Eric Snyder of Butler is also no stranger to Sing Hosanna! productions, and he finds himself in the role of the evil puppeteer, Stromboli.

"This guy has no redeeming qualities; he's basically a greedy guy who is out to make a buck with a marionette that has no strings," Snyder explained.

While Snyder has been a mean villain before, the object of his wrath has rarely been children. "It is really hard for me to be mean to kids; in one scene I have to stuff one into a box, and it just feels so out of character for me," he said.

Playing the Blue Fairy is Rachel Creaturo, who is enjoying acting in this production with her daughter Jaclyn who plays a marionette in the production.

"One of the neat things about the role is that I get to sing 'When You Wish Upon a Star' and that is a great song. I get to do it in a unique way," she added.

"The blue fairy is not your typical fairy, she isn't sweet and gentle. She is pretty bold with a large ego," said Creaturo, who has been relishing the comedy aspect of the role.

Creaturo has several scenes throughout the production in which she is watching the action, too.

"Staying in character on stage during the scenes where I don't have a line is something I am working on. It is so easy to get carried up into watching the show that sometimes it is easy to forget my real role," she said.

Being in the same production with her daughter provides some fun conversation and nice mother/daughter moments, Creaturo said. "It gives us something else to talk about," she said.

Jaclyn Creaturo is in sixth grade at Penn Christian Academy and is in her fourth show with Sing Hosanna! "It is great to have a mom to run things by, vocally. I am more of an alto, I think, and the songs I have are a bit high for me," she said. "We can even sing and practice together."

The show opens Nov. 13 at the Succop Theater at Butler County Community College and runs for three performances.

<B>WHO: </B>Sing Hosanna!<B>WHAT: </B>Disney's "Geppetto and Son"<B>WHEN: </B>7:30 p.m. Nov. 13 and 14 and 2 p.m. Nov. 15<B>WHERE: </B>Butler County Community College's Succop Theater<B>TICKETS: </B>$15 for adults and $10 for children age 12 and younger; available at May's Music Shoppe, 247 E. Jefferson St., or from a cast member<B>INFORMATION: </B>724-586-0042