It's no lie – 'Pinocchio' coming to Family Day at the Opera

April 7, 2008 -

NORFOLK, Va. – Virginia Opera's fourth annual "Family Day at the Opera" on May 10 brings to the Harrison Opera House stage a special family adaptation of "Pinocchio," featuring two performances of the timeless story about the adventure of a young wooden puppet who longs to become a real boy.

Admission is $8 per person with free parking. In addition to a reserved seat at either the 11 a.m. or 3 p.m. performance of "Pinocchio", admission includes access to the following indoor/outdoor events and activities from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.:

• Performances by local music group Seven5Seven
• Face Painting with Salem High School's Visual and Performing Arts Academy
• Magic by Zanville The Pretty Good
• Music and fun on the front lawn with Radio Disney
• Norfolk Public Library's Treasure Truck
• Safety presentations with hand puppets by the Pilot Club of Norfolk/Virginia Beach
• Fairy tale character photos
• Animal mask making
• Raffle
• Rides and games
• Craft-making with the Hampton Roads Naval Museum

"Our goal here is to provide an affordable opportunity for people to experience the cultural arts in the most significant and meaningful way possible – together, as a family," says Jeff Corriveau, the company's director of education and audience development.

 "Words alone can't describe what it's like to be a part of what – for some parents – is their child's first experience with opera, or the cultural arts. It can be like witnessing that first step all over again, except now they're stepping into the rich world of a live performance, where a child's imagination can make the whole thing nothing short of magical," says Mr. Corriveau.

Tickets and seat selection are available online at vaopera.org/familyday or by calling 757-623-1223 (Southside) or 757-877-2550 (Peninsula).

For photos or more information, please contact Public Relations Manager Stephen J. Baker at 757-627-9545 ext. 3323, or via e-mail at press@vaopera.org..

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