Press Releases

“They Called Her Vivaldi” comes to the Smith Opera House March 24 & 25

A girl with a helmet and a man standing behind her portray the characters from They Called Her Vivaldi.

They Called Her Vivaldi is a captivating comedy for youth ages 7 and up.

GENEVA NY — A sensitive girl with a lively imagination and mature musical chops lives life as a tuneful adventure when her elderly father crafts a peculiar radio-like headset for her. When that quirky chapeau is stolen, our heroine’s real adventure begins. Her quest to find it takes her through sadness and joy and everything in between.

That’s the plot behind “They Called Her Vivaldi,” a lush, clever and uplifting play coming to the Smith Opera House March 24 and 25 as part of The Smith’s ArtSmart Educational Theatre Series for Youth. Targeted for audiences ages 7 and older, “They Called Her Vivaldi” is produced by Dublin’s Theatre Lovett and written by Louis Lovett. This North American tour is supported by Culture Ireland.

The play will be presented to the general public on Sunday, March 24 at 3 p.m. and to school groups and the public on Monday, March 25 at 10 a.m. It lasts about one hour.

Here are some highlights of recent reviews:

“A rich rewarding symphony…easily the best family entertainment onstage right now.”

The Irish Times

“A theatrical treat. Richly layered, its sheer attention to detail is just staggeringly good. ‘They Called Her Vivaldi’ will leave you with a permanent grin… a most gorgeous night of theatre…so good you won’t even want to blink. Striking, stunning, superbly sublime.”

The Arts Review

“This is a sharp and well written piece that while being aimed at kids is an easy and enjoyable watch for all.”

No More Workhorse

“Incredible sonic effects… brilliant sound design… and the usual attention to visual style.”

The Sunday Business Post

The ArtSmart Educational Theatre Series provides educational shows specifically designed for school groups and are open to the general public. Children’s picture books and classic literature, United States history and world history, relevant social issues and experiences are all transformed and presented live on the Smith Opera House stage. This series is designed to encourage thinking, creativity and fun while complimenting school lessons.

ArtSmart is sponsored by the Lyons National Bank and the Nelson B. Delavan Foundation.

General admission tickets for “They Called Her Vivaldi” are $6.50 and can be purchased at the Smith Opera House Box Office or at www.thesmith.org. School groups are encouraged to register for the March 25 performance in advance at https://thesmith.org/education/register-for-artsmart/ or by calling the box office.

The Smith Center for the Arts, stewards of the historic Smith Opera House, provides diverse arts and educational enrichment opportunities year-round for Finger Lakes residents and visitors. The Smith Opera House is at 82 Seneca St. in Geneva, NY. Box Office hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. For more information, call 315-781-5483 during box office hours or visit www.thesmith.org.