Atlanta Opera Announces Family Performances of STONE SOUP

The Atlanta Opera, one of the nation's finest regional opera companies enriching lives through the power of opera, continues its 2012-2013 Studio Tour with four family performances of the children's opera, Stone Soup. The performances, three open to the general public and one designated for Girl Scouts specifically, will take place in venues throughout Metro Atlanta.

Stone Soup is a 45-minute, light-hearted, operatic interpretation of the classic folk story about a community that comes together to feed a lost and lonely soldier. The story uses all kinds of food to make the most delicious stone soup, and celebrates community and diversity along the way.

"It's important to The Atlanta Opera to share the power of opera with all ages. By producing Stone Soup, we expose younger audiences to the art of opera while telling an important story about making something from nothing," said Emmalee Iden Hackshaw, director of community engagement at The Atlanta Opera. "These productions have a terrific moral - by working together, with everyone contributing what they can, a greater good is achieved. You're never too young to learn that."

The three family performances open to the general public will be on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center; Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. at Decatur High School; and Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the Southwest Arts Center. Admission is $7 per person for each family performance. Persons interested in purchasing tickets should call 404-881-8885 or visit atlantaopera.org.

The fourth performance is part of Girl Scouts Day at The Atlanta Opera and will be on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. at The Atlanta Opera Center. Girl Scouts will participate in a workshop that includes an Atlanta Opera patch and also meets some requirements for Junior Girl Scout Badges and Brownie Try-It Badges. Admission is $10 per Girl Scout and $5 per adult. Girl Scouts interested in purchasing tickets should call 404-881-8883 or email education@atlantaopera.org.

The Stone Soup cast includes: Katherine Bowen as the Vegetable Girl, Lauren Wright as The Mayor, Jevares Myrick as the Solider, and Ivan Segovia as the Butcher. Stage direction is by Park Cofield, musical direction by Geoffrey Loff, scenic design by Michael Benedict, and costume design by Joanna Schmink. Stone Soup is composed by Daniel Dorff.

The Atlanta Opera Studio Tour of Stone Soup is proudly presented by AT&T.