John Tartaglia's ImaginOcean | Press Releases

1 p.m., Sunday, November 18, 2012
Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts
Tickets: $18 adults, $15 children

Image: Imaginocean John Tartaglia brings his innovative glow-in-the-dark musical John Tartaglia's ImaginOcean to Fairfield University's Quick Center for the Arts at 1 p.m. on Sunday, November 18, 2012 . John Tartaglia's ImaginOcean is a critically acclaimed black-light puppet show that's a magical undersea adventure for all families. The program is made possible in part by the generous support of RFP Associates, LLC. Media sponsor is Morris Media Group. Tickets are $18 adults, $15 children .

Visually stunning and brightly colored, John Tartalia's ImaginOcean is performed completely in the dark with black light puppets taking center stage. A one-of-a-kind live experience, the show stars Tank, Bubbles and Dorsel, three best friends who just happen to be fish, and they're about to set out on a remarkable journey of discovery. A hidden group of puppeteers create the illusion that the puppets are actually swimming around the ocean - sometimes even extending out into the audience. The adventure starts with a treasure map. As the trio swims off in search of clues, they'll sing, they'll dance, and they'll make new friends, including everyone in the audience. Ultimately they discover the greatest treasure of all: friendship. The show teaches valuable lessons, and kids will love the eye-popping puppets and hummable songs. Its short running time (50 minutes with no intermission) prevents restlessness, and audiences are included in the fun as the characters often ask for advice and applause.

Written as a Broadway show for children, ImaginOcean opened in New York in March 2010 and began its U.S. tour in September 2011. "The reaction has been amazing," said John Tartaglia. "We had great audiences Off-Broadway but we had no idea that the show would be so loved by families and schools all across the country, let alone the amazing international response we have gotten." The show has been even set to premiere at the Sydney Opera House in Australia in January 2013 for one month of performances.

John Tartaglia is a well-known talent on Broadway. He earned a Tony Award nomination for his Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning musical, Avenue Q , in which he originated the roles of Princeton and Rod. Other roles on Broadway include starring as Lumiere in Disney's Beauty and the Beast , and most recently, in the role of Pinocchio in Shrek The Musical . He is probably best known for his work as executive producer, creator and star of the 8-time Emmy-nominated television series "Johnny and the Sprites" (now airing worldwide), receiving a nomination for "Outstanding Performance in a Children's Series." Born in Maple Shade, New Jersey, Tartaglia's talents as a performer and puppeteer were recognized at an early age. He is one of the youngest puppeteers ever to perform on "Sesame Street," starting at the age of 16 and remaining with them for over a decade. He starred in Sesame Workshop's innovative English as a Foreign Language project, "Sesame English," which currently airs worldwide. The actor has also appeared on "Ugly Betty", "Hollywood Squares," Disney Channel's "Bear in the Big Blue House" and "JoJo's Circus" and Discovery Channel's "Animal Jam." He conceived and appeared in "Jim Henson's Musical World," which was performed at Carnegie Hall in April 2012, and he is a past host of the New York Philharmonic Young People's Concerts. His production company, Gables Grove Productions (co-founded with Michael Shawn Lewis) is dedicated to creating new, immersive and multi-media family entertainment.

Tickets and subscriptions are available through the Quick Center Box Office: (203) 254-4010, or toll-free 1-877-ARTS-396 (1-877-278-7396). Tickets can also be purchased online at www.quickcenter.com .

The Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts is located on the campus of Fairfield University at 1073 North Benson Road in Fairfield, Connecticut. Entrance to the Quick Center is through the Barlow Road gate at 200 Barlow Road. Free, secure parking is available. Access for people with disabilities is available throughout the Quick Center for audience members and performers. Hearing amplification devices are available upon request at the Box Office. Fairfield University is located off exit 22 of Interstate-95. For further information and directions, call (203) 254-4010 or 1-877-278-7396, or visit www.quickcenter.com .