Opening October 31 at 3 p.m., the Halloween performance offers free admission for children under 12 dressed as Pinocchio and 50% off for those in other costumes
NEW YORK, NY — Following its successful Puppet Fringe revival, Teatro SEA’s award-winning ¡Viva Pinocho! returns on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 3 p.m., launching the company’s 40th anniversary SEAson. The opening performance brings families together in celebration of Halloween and Día de los Muertos with a musical adventure filled with puppetry, Mexican rhythms, and a message of hope, family, and love.
For the October 31 performance, children under 12 who attend dressed as Pinocchio will receive free admission. Children under 12 wearing other costumes will receive 50% off admission.
Presented by Teatro SEA, the Society of the Educational Arts, Inc., ¡Viva Pinocho! reimagines the classic Italian tale through the eyes of a young Mexican immigrant. As Pinocho searches for a home in the United States, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery, learning how to embrace new possibilities while staying connected to his Latino heritage.
In this inventive retelling, Geppetto becomes Don G., and the United States takes on the role of “Pleasure Island,” a land of dreams and promises. Led astray by Lobo, a coyote, Pinocho encounters Uncle Sam as a four-faced carnival director. When trouble follows, the Blue Fairy—reimagined as the Virgin of Guadalupe—offers help and a chance to choose a better path.
Set to a score drawing on Mexican musical rhythms and styles, the production combines masks, black light, marionettes, shadow puppetry, animation, direct manipulation, and object puppetry to bring Pinocho’s world to life. The cast features Ana Campos, Paola Poucel, Ursula Tinoco, Federico Mallet, Hector Lionel, and Manuel Morán as Don G. (Geppetto). Morán also wrote and directed the production. In special performances, Manuel Gabriel Morán appears as Pinocchio.
The production showcases some of master puppeteer José López’s finest work in its beautifully crafted original set and puppet designs, complemented by masks by renowned mask maker Deborah Hunt. Keith Dimitri Saari contributes additional masks and serves as puppet wrangler. The creative team includes José Ignacio Vivero as associate director, Julio Vaquero Ramos overseeing musical direction and vocal arrangements, and Emmanuel Delgado as lighting designer.
Original musical arrangements are by Sinuhé Padilla and Harold Gutierrez, with additional musical arrangements by Manuel Calzada. Costumes are by Manuel Morán, with Sandra Liliana Valencia as head seamstress. Matías Ulibarry serves as master carpenter and scenic painter, George Riverón provides art, sound design, and projections, and Abdel de la Campa designed the poster. Samuel Flores Morán serves as stage manager. The production is produced by Manuel Antonio Morán, with associate producers Richard Marino and Edgar Mozoub.
The return of ¡Viva Pinocho! opens a milestone season for Teatro SEA, honoring 40 years of culturally relevant theater for children and families.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
¡Viva Pinocho!
Opening: Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 3 p.m.
Location: Teatro SEA, New York City
Schedule: Saturdays at 3 p.m. until December. Please check Teatro SEA’s website for the complete performance calendar, tickets, and additional details.
Halloween offer, October 31 only: Children under 12 dressed as Pinocchio receive free admission; children under 12 in other costumes receive 50% off admission.
