It was difficult to tell who was more energized about the inaugural show at the new dolphin exhibit at the Georgia Aquarium -- the kids perched on the edges of their blue plastic seats or the aquarium staff lining the walls of the 1,800-capacity theater.
On Saturday afternoon, the culmination of $110 million and three years of construction and planning arrived with the dramatic swoosh of dolphins launching into the air from the depths of their 1.8 million gallon tank.
The sold-out first performance of AT&T Dolphin Tales, housed in a permanent, enclosed theater boasting video screens, water cannons and state-of-the-art sound, inspired the crowd to cheer mightily for its sleek, slate-colored stars.
“The kids thought it was worth twice what I paid,” visitor Greg Fagan said excitedly after the show, as Jimmy, 8, and MaryAnna, 10, looked on, grinning.
The family drove from Winston Salem, N.C., for a spring break outing.
Stephanie Collett of Norcross brought some visiting friends from London, including 12-year-old Luke Drysdale.
“It was very Disney-esque,” Luke said with a smile.
“I want their job,” Collett joked of the dolphin trainers, who dance with and sometimes ride the mammals during the performance, which also features Broadway-style singing and some acting. “I liked that they incorporated a story and not just the facts and figures you usually see at a dolphin show.”
The heavy theatrical element of Dolphin Tales is one reason about a dozen protesters lined a sidewalk near the main entrance of the aquarium, adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta.
Some of the protesters were members of Georgia Animal Rights and Protection, a statewide organization with about 700 members, and another group, “Free the Atlanta 11,” named in reference to the 11 captivity-born Atlantic bottlenose dolphins that perform on a rotating basis in two shows daily.
The activists quietly held signs with dolphin photos and messages about the detriments of captivity while passing out pamphlets.
“Quality of life is a concern,” said protester Leah Garces of Decatur. “It’s not just, do they look healthy? They can’t express their intelligence naturally here.”
Fellow sign-bearer Stacy Linowski of Hampton said she hoped the protesters’ presence would provide a different perspective to those heading into the aquarium.
“It’s all about education,” she said.
Meanwhile, 8-year-old Alea DaCosta of Ellenwood had her schooling -- and her grandmother -- to thank for the special opportunity she received at Saturday’s opening.
A couple of months ago, Brenda Medows wrote a letter to the aquarium explaining that ever since her granddaughter crafted a first-grade project about dolphins, she’s adored them to a fanatical level.
The aquarium brass rewarded Alea’s enthusiasm by allowing her to push the confetti button at the official Dolphin Tales opening, hours before the first show.
After the performance, the cheerful little girl, in a dress and jacket with “I love dolphins” embroidered on the back, stood near the 25-foot-long dolphin viewing window in the gallery leading to the theater.
“It was awesome!” she proclaimed.
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