Schicchi Opens Tonight at the St. Petersburg Opera

Don't miss this hilarious show! TBT and the St. Pete Times are calling it a hot ticket, but we still have seats available! The music is Puccini, so you can be sure it's beautiful (and everyone knows the famous aria - even if you think you don't, trust me, you've heard it ...). The cast is ready to go (and terrific in these roles) and the musical ensemble rocks! What with Mark Sforzini on bassoon and conducting, Josh Quinn on keyboard, Fred Gratta on cello, and Michael Galvin on violin, what's not to like?

We've brought in Richard Cassell from New York as Schicchi, Adam Hall as Rinuccio, Fred Furnari, Kelly Griffin, and Anthony Zoeller as relatives, and the rest of the cast is locals, including Phoenix Gayles as Lauretta (she gets the best song and does it splendidly), Melissa Misener, Joseph Peterson, Thomas Massey, Brian Westlund, John William Short, and the husband and wife team of Michelle Rego and Rim Karnavicius (except they're not married to each other in this show). Making his stage debut is the effervescent Randolph Rose and if you can find a cuter seven year old, bring him on!

We also have a few mystery guests: Buoso Donati (the dead guy) is being played by the winners of an eBay auction!

Here's the lineup:

Tonight, Saturday April 30, 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 1, 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 3, 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 4, 8:00 p.m.
Friday, May 6, 8:00 p.m.
Saturday May 7, 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 8, 3:00 p.m.

You can purchase tickets at the door or online at stpeteopera.org or by telephone from either SPO at 727-823-2040 or American Stage 727-823-PLAY (7529) All seating is general admission.

American Stage's concession stand will be celebrating the start of the Puccini Festival by serving a Puccini Martini! This is just the show to start with a fun cocktail, so come early enough to enjoy.

Buy Schicchi tickets now

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