Real father and son, Dr. Todd Brand and Eli Brand, rehearse a scene from "Disney’s My Son Pinocchio: Geppetto’s Musical Tale." The two are father and son in the production as well.

    The Meridian Community College Fine Arts Department brings magic back to the McCain Theater stage when it presents “Disney’s My Son Pinocchio: Geppetto’s Musical Tale” Thursday, March 31-Sunday, April 3.

     Show times are 7 p.m. on March 31, April 1 and April 2; the April 3 performance is 2 p.m.

    This retelling of the classic tale of Pinocchio, told from the perspective of his maker and father Geppetto, realizes timely issues in Disney’s My Son Pinocchio. Grammy Award-winner and master song writer Stephen Schwartz adds a charming and compelling score of original songs to the beloved classics “When You Wish Upon a Star” and “I’ve Got No Strings,” that appeared in the original Walt Disney film Pinocchio from 1940.

    Featured dancers for the song, “I’ve Got No Strings,” are Brianna Anthony, Lauren Belk, Hanna Doer, Neely Guffey, Nylah Hardaway, Sophie Hines, Danyel Smith, Sydney Stokes, Virginia White and Emily Hannington. Featured dancers for the song, “Pleasure Island” are Mia Aviles, Morgan Davidson, Lexie Files, Lawson Alysse Freeman, Madelyn Gray, Kary Grice, Kennedy Grice, Hannah Grace Hannington, Emma James, Taylor Ketchens, Emily Lindemann, Ava Partridge, Kaity Quinn, Alexandria Rowland and Abby Yudt.

    You will encounter the Blue Fairy, Stromboli and a lively cast of characters as Geppetto journeys beyond his village Toy Shop to discover what makes an ideal child, and the deepening of parent- child relationships.

    This family musical is appropriate for audiences of all ages and is an enchanting blend of heartfelt fairytale and adventure. Following Pinocchio’s journey from an ungainly wooden puppet to a real, live boy is a story audiences will adore and all will be captivated by Geppetto’s transformation from demanding craftsman taskmaster to a compassionate father.

    Cast members include: Anna Edwards, Blue Fairy; Dr. Todd Brand, Geppetto; Eli Brand, Pinocchio; Alan Rigdon, Stromboli; Hunter Braddock, Buonragazzo; Tina McCoy, Ringleader; Lucy Ferguson, Mrs Giovanni; Aaron Pogue, Bernardo; Courtney McDonald, Maria; Baleigh Hull, Junior; Elliott Brewer, Magician; Hunter Braddock, Elliott Brewer and Aaron Pogue; Town Fathers; Baleigh Hull, Victoria Johnson, Callie Latham, Tina McCoy and Courtney McDonald, Town Mothers; Baleigh Hull, Vocitoria Johnson, Callie Johnson and Courtney McDonald, Roustabouts;

    Katelyn Allen, Noah Brand, Lawson Alysse Freeman, Jackson Palmer, Anna Katherine Rowland and Jimmyia Smith, child soloists; McKenna Brown, Anne-Leigh Freeman, Caroline Hodges, Katie Lank, Lakelynn Lewis and Rain Murphy, Blue Fairies in Training;

    Children’s Chorus members are Katelyn Allen, Rebecca Baker, Noah Brand, Sophia Calderon, Karley Raye Clark, Kenna Lee Clark, Sarah Cooksey, Tyra Cooper, Wyatt Davidson, Allyson Dufour, Katie Dufour, Natalie Evans, Madison Field, Lawson Alyssee Freeman, Will Griffin, Poper Gonzales, Josie Hanegan, Emily Hannigton, Hanna Grace Hannington, Hannah Harbour, Alena Harden, Whitley Hester, Sophie Hines, Anna Claire Jordan, Isabelle Marshall, Kaitlyn McCall, Thalia McInnis, Faeth McLemore, Ashley McLeod, Stephen Michael Mimbs, Cayley Nance, Jackson Palmer, Olivia Palmer, Heather Papizan, Ava Partridge, Morgan Partridge, Collins Pollock, Olivia Pollock, Mackenzie Robinson, AnnaKatherine Rowland, Danyel Smith, Jayla Smith, Jimmyia Smith, Victoria Spears, Sydney Stokes, Grace Taylor, Rachel Taylor, Hannah Treider, Camryn Walker, Jasmine Walker, Jeron Watts and Virginia White.

    Production staffers are Dr. Todd Brand, director and producer; the Rev. Michael Howard Gibson, vocal director; Carey Smith, musical director; Carol Merrill, dance choreographer; Laura Reinstatler, costumer; Terrell Taylor, art director; Andy Rainey, technical director; Allie Johnson, Joseph Faulkner, stage managers; Ian Derrick and Billy Burkes, light crew; Amy Baker, Clay Calvert, Destry Dancy, Josue Gonzalez, Regina Kimbrough, Ashley McDonald and Jessica Tripi, artistic crew.

    Tickets are $10 for adults; $5, for children. For more information about tickets, call Leia Hill at (601) 484-8696.