OPERADELAWARE 824 North Market St. Suite 200, Wilmington, DE 19801-3024 Contact: Julie Van Blarcom Executive Director (302) 658-8063 jvanblarcom@operadel.org For Immediate Release – February 9, 2001 OPERADELAWARE Announces: Family Opera Theater Presents The Cricket in Times Square Wilmington, DE – An opera-loving cricket is taking New York by storm on Saturday, March 3, 2001 at 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 4, 2001 at 3:00 p.m. at The Grand Opera House, 818 North Market Street, Wilmington, DE. This Family Opera Theater presentation will be directed by Leland Kimball and conducted by Evelyn Swensson. Marios Falaris will play the role of Chester the Cricket, Ryan Miller will play the role of Mario, Ed Emmi will play the role of Tucker Mouse, and Ray Murphy will play the irrepressible Harry the Cat. Ticket prices are $16.00 for adults, $8.00 for children and can be purchased through The Grand Opera House Box Office by calling (302) 652-5577 or by visiting OPERADELAWARE’s website at www.operadel.org "This show is an excellent introduction to musical theater for children," said Leland Kimball, General Director for OPERADELAWARE. "They will love the story and sing along with the memorable lyrics and tunes of the score." Based on the Newbery Award-Winning book by George Selden, The Cricket in Times Square tells the story of Chester the loveable cricket that arrives in New York City’s famous Times Square via a picnic basket from Connecticut. He takes up residence in The Bellini’s newsstand, as young Mario Bellini learns of Chester’s amazing ability to create beautiful music. Join their escapades as Chester, Mario, Tucker Mouse, and Harry the Cat bring success to the almost bankrupt newsstand and leave your whole family cheering. "Proceeds from this family opera will benefit the handicapped-accessible playground project sponsored by the A.I. du Pont Hospital for Children," said Julie Van Blarcom, Executive Director for OPERADELAWARE. "Not only will the whole family enjoy this timeless adventure, but we will also be helping to create a valuable resource in our community." OPERADELAWARE’s Family Opera Theater will also be sponsoring a Family Fun Day, which will take place at 2:00 p.m. prior to each performance at The Grand Opera House. Face painting, balloon animals, games and prizes will be on hand to create a fun-filled day for all ages. Marios Falaris, Chester the Cricket, is nine years old and is in the fourth grade at Tatnall School. He has been a performer in OPERADELAWARE’s productions of Louis’ Trumpet and Charlotte’s Web, and Pippi Longstocking with the Delaware Children’s Theatre. Ryan Miller, Mario, is a seventh grader at The Pilot School. Most recently he has appeared with OPERADELAWARE in The Trumpet of the Swan. Past productions include Carmen and Charlotte’s Web. Ryan has performed in the summer series productions of The Enormous Egg and The Wind in the Willows, all with OPERADELAWARE. He is also a vocalist in The Pilot School’s Early Morning Jammers. Ed Emmi, Tucker Mouse, returns to OPERADELAWARE after playing "Mr. Ruder" in the 1997 production of The Student Prince. For the Family Opera Theater, he has played Templeton in Charlotte’s Web, Mr. Mole in The Wind in the Willows, and the Toymaker in A Celebration of Christmas. Ed is a veteran of almost 70 shows with many groups throughout the tri-state area, the vast majority of which have been musicals. Some favorite roles include Seymour in The Little Shop of Horrors, Saul in As Is, Cliff in Cabaret, Freddie in My Fair Lady, Toby in Sweeney Todd, Magaldi in Evita, Japheth in Two by Two, Charlie Dalrymple in Brigadoon, and both Perchik and Motel in various productions of The Fiddler on the Roof. When not on stage, Ed is a Training Instructor at Chase Manhattan Bank and is a professional wedding and funeral soloist. Ray Murphy, Harry the Cat, has previously performed with OPERADELAWARE in Louis’ Trumpet, The Wind in the Willows, Charlotte’s Web, The Ballad of Baby Doe, Nightingale! and The Legend of Redwall Abbey. He has played a variety of roles including Barney Cashman in The Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Sir Despard Murgatroyd in Ruddigore, Bobby in Company, Private Willis in Iolanthe, and Charlemagne in Pippin with companies in the Tri-State area. This OPERADELAWARE program is funded in part by the Delaware Division of the Arts, a non-profit organization committed to enhancing and supporting the Arts in Delaware. The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden. Copyright © 1960 and renewed in 1980 by George Selden Thompson. Performed by arrangement with Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, Inc. All rights reserved. Originally commissioned and produced by Seattle Children’s Theatre. ####