Los Angeles Times - Somewhat Recommended
"...In the aggregate, however, the production is a puzzling misfire. Director Stephen Rothman rightly honors the commedia tradition, but the archetypes seldom spring to full life. Pacing often plods, and there's an odd dustiness to Rothman's staging, which, no pun intended, seems curiously wooden."
LA Weekly - Highly Recommended
"...Yet the production offers an abundance of eye-catching production values and a fine ensemble gifted in the art of physical comedy. Designer Evan Bartoletti's set frames the show with a fairy tale magic, further enhanced by Joe Cerqua's sound and original music and by the collective zaniness of Ann Closs-Farley's costumes, Carol F. Doran's makeup and wigs and Lisa Lechuga's specialty hats. Henerson's booming but kindly papa and James Royce Edwards as the evil ringmaster give standout performances."
Backstage - Highly Recommended
"...A host of designers bring technical wizardry to the proceedings. Evan Bartoletti's scenery is reminiscent of a giant pop-up storybook. Ann Closs-Farley's costuming puts Broadway to shame. Joe Cerqua provides haunting original musical compositions. And Alexandra Dunn's ingenious array of properties tops itself with each impending scene. Ultimately, director Rothman, capitalizing on playwright Lee Hall's somewhat adult-oriented adaptation of Carlo Collodi's original novel, has accomplished the enviable: a multilevel presentation suitable for virtually everyone."
Edge - Somewhat Recommended
"...Performed in the style of the commedia dell'arte, Deaf West's production features its signature dual casting of a signer and voiced actor for each role. Slapstick can be fun and commedia dell'arte entertaining, but, alas, not much of either occurred during the little over two hours here."
Stage and Cinema - Somewhat Recommended
"...One wonders if Deaf West Theatre's production of The Adventures of Pinocchio could have ever taken off. This remarkably plodding production already has a strike against it by choosing the choppy adaptation by Billy Elliot's Lee Hall: it's a hodgepodge of children's theatre, adult humor, and a series of Commedia dell'arte set-ups (Pinocchio Goes to School, The Fox and Cat's Thieving of Pinocchio, Pinocchio Murders a Cricket)."
EyeSpyLA - Highly Recommended
"...This is a magical must-see show the whole family will enjoy and remember for years to come."
Stage Scene LA - Highly Recommended
"...As Deaf West heads towards its third decade of providing performing opportunities for the deaf and hard-of-hearing as well as theatrical productions accessible to deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing patrons, The Adventures Of Pinocchio is sure to introduce the company to whole new audiences of families with children in addition to their usual kids-free adult crowds, all of whom are sure to delight in its multitude of wonders."
ReviewPlays.com - Highly Recommended
"...The wonderful and unique theatre company, Deaf West Theatre, is celebrating their 20th anniversary with a magical production of The Adventures of Pinocchio. You might think that this is children's fare, and I am sure that children can relate and enjoy the show very much. However, the complexity of this production, that features a mix of deaf and hearing actors, can probably only be appreciated by adult audiences. As Director Stephen Rothman states in his note in Footnotes," ...this production and the journey we are taking as artists and audiences together is a collaboration of cultures that through two languages gives our work more resonance and meaning.""
ArtsBeatLA - Recommended
"...Brimming with clever political subtext and sly social commentary, this comic production will appeal to young and old."
LA Stage Times - Recommended
"...Generally, the production is nimble and winning, but it's also a little too long – not just for kids' attention spans (it's not recommended for anyone under 10) but also because the comedy and the slapstick don't quite develop enough momentum, especially in the absence of more dimensional characters."
On Stage Los Angeles - Somewhat Recommended
"...As a fan of this company and appreciative of the hard work they have produced for twenty years, I want to applaud their effort, but would have liked to see the production presented either more in a classic Commedia style, and even darker. Or, even lighter if intended for a younger audience."
Neon Tommy - Highly Recommended
"...This is where a brilliant cast of performers and a slew of creativity become crucial aspects of this production, which contribute to make the play both a feast for the eyes and ears."
Frontiers - Highly Recommended
"...There really is no misstep here. The Adventures of Pinocchio is truly a delightful night out at the theatre for young and old alike. It'd definitely not a children's show, but kids will like it. It's the adults, however, that will be transported by the magic. Just like the shows we saw as kids when CGI didn't exist and imagination was key."
