The Singing Cricket spectacle: a timeless show for all ages

Taking place at San Luis Potosí’s City Theater “El grillito cantor” was a spectacle held in April 2024 to celebrate Children’s Day. The show calls on the inner child of spectators referencing Cri Cri, the singing cricket. With live music, professional performers and a Barco-powered projection mapping on the Theater façade the musical stories of the nostalgic Mexican cartoon character are brought to life.

Context

The last day of April every year marks a special occasion all across Mexico. El Día del Niño or Children’s Day, a national celebration of children and childhood, is commemorated with plenty of activities and festivities. In San Luis Potosí they went for an extraordinary visual spectacle for kids aged 0 to 99.

"El Grillito Cantor" is an enchanting show dedicated to the whimsical tales of Cri Cri, a beloved character created by Francisco Gabilondo Soler. These stories and songs have been a staple of Mexican childhood for decades, captivating audiences with their charm and creativity. The goal of the project was to honor this cultural treasure by presenting it in a modern, engaging format that would appeal to both young and old audiences alike. 

Challenge

Creating a visual spectacle that faithfully represents the magic of Cri Cri’s stories required a solution that could deliver high-resolution images with exceptional brightness and clarity, essential for the immersive impact of the projection mapping. The projection system had to integrate seamlessly with the narrative flow of the show, enhancing the storytelling without overshadowing the music and lyrics that are central to the Cri Cri experience.

Moreover, the venue, an open outdoor space, added complexity with varying light conditions and the need for robust equipment capable of delivering consistent performance.

Solution

The project was brought to life by Ilumotion who selected Barco’s UDM series.

Known for its high brightness and sharp resolution, the three-chip DLP laser phosphor projector was ideal for this mapping. What’s more, the UDM projector offers the widest color spectrum for 22K laser phosphor projection on the market outperforming the Rec. 709 color space, delivering impactful experiences with mind-blowing colors and ensuring that the visual elements would be both captivating and faithful to the original Cri Cri stories.

The UDM transformed the cherished stories and music of Cri Cri into a mesmerizing visual experience with state-of-the-art image quality. Each of the scenes reflects the beauty of Cri Cri’s wonderful tales, with illustrations inspired by each of the characters, while attempting to convey the joy and wonder of the inner child in all of us.

The mapping was accompanied by an impressive live soundtrack by the Youth Symphony Orchestra and a 30-member children’s choir, an on-stage dance performance with choreographies inspired by the Francisco Gabilondo Soler’s legacy, and a live karaoke so that both children and adults could enjoy and sing along to the joyous songs. 

Results

In its first edition, the project was attended by over 5,500 people of all ages. Bridging generational gaps, the “El Grillito Cantor” performance has enveloped the audience in the magical world of the timeless tales of Cri Cri.

The collaboration between Ilumotion and Barco has elevated the show’s production value as the vivid and dynamic visuals complemented the music perfectly, enhancing the emotional impact and overall enjoyment of the show. And the success of the show has set a new standard for cultural experiences in San Luis Potosí.