NEW MARTINSVILLE — As Geppetto and the friendly Urchins spin their magical tale, we learn with Pinocchio that there are no shortcuts on the road to becoming a real, live boy.

Join ArtsLink and the Missoula Children’s Theatre this Saturday, July 20, when a cast of local students present an original musical adaptation of “Pinocchio.” The show will be performed by area children at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Lincoln Theater in New Martinsville.

Abbey Messing and Jillian Hall are the tour directors for the MCT residency. Originally from mid-Michigan, Abbey is a rising Junior at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin where she is working towards her BFA in musical theatre and minoring in dance and arts administration. Hall is a recent graduate of Western Carolina University where she received her BFA in musical theatre and a minor in dance. Originally from the beautiful mountains of Southwestern Virginia, Jillian has grown up doing theatre and is thrilled to continue to pursue her passion this summer while touring with the Missoula Children’s Theatre.

Throughout its over 40-year existence, the Missoula Children’s Theatre International Tour has fostered developmental life skills in more than a million kids. Locally, children entering first through 12th grades auditioned Monday, July 15, then reported for daily rehearsals until curtain time on July 20.

“Pinocchio” is presented in New Martinsville by ArtsLink and is sponsored by Fawn and Jim Price and St. Ann’s Episcopal Church.

Funding for this program made possible with financial assistance from City of New Martinsville Parks and Recreation Commission, West Virginia Northern Community College, WETZ/WYMJ Radio, Riesbeck’s Supermarket, Save A Lot, Equitrans Midstream Foundation, EQT Foundation, Wetzel Tyler Chamber of Commerce, the West Virginia Division of Arts, Culture and History and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.

MCT is supported by the Montana Arts Council, a state agency funded by the state of Montana.

Reserved tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under. General admission tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children. Credit cards will be accepted, and all tickets are available at the door.

Please call the ArtsLink office at 304-455-2278 for additional information.

ArtsLink is committed to providing universal accessibility wherever possible. Guests with special needs may contact ArtsLink at 304-455-2278 to request assistance.