The Cricket In Times Square

Interesting Facts about Crickets.

Did you know that only male crickets chirp? Learn even more fascinating facts about crickets at the Joy of Animals site.

“Inside the Jaw-Clenching World of Cricket Fighting in China” (2021)

This NPR article by Emily Feng offers a fascinating look at the modern Chinese pastime of cricket fighting and includes excellent photos.

Musical America

This is the magazine that Mr. Smedley purchased each month at the Bellinis’ newsstand. Started in 1898, the magazine is still in publication. Now people can subscribe and read it online.

The History of Chinese Immigration and the Chinese Laundry

While the character of Sai Fong is a now-offensive stereotype, many Chinese immigrants settled in New York City in the mid-to-late 1800s. They struggled to overcome racism and discrimination. Following are several accessible articles that describe Chinese immigrants’ troubles and triumphs.

“How Childhoods Spent in Chinese Laundries Tell the Story of America” (2018).

This 2018 Atlas Obscura feature by Eveline Chao offers interviews with Chinese children about their lives growing up in the family laundry business.

“Over a Century of Food and Change in Chinatown”

Robert Sietsma, writing for The Museum of Food and Drink, gives an in-depth look at the history of Chinatown and its cuisine.

“‘A Sad and Glorious History’: One of NYC’s Last Chinese Hand Laundries Closes” (2020)

In her detailed article for NBC News, Hanna Park interviews Robert S. Lee, who operated one of the last Chinese laundries in New York City until it shut down during the 2020 COVID epidemic. The article includes photos and discusses the history of Chinese immigration to New York City and the impact of anti-Asian laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882.

“How the Chinese Laundry Became a Job of Last Resort of Early Chinese in America” (2020)

This recent AsAm News article by Raymond Douglas Chong offers an in-depth history of the Chinese laundry.

Cricket Song – Suara Jangkrik

Tucker has never heard a cricket before. This is what Chester’s natural chirping sounds like.

The Music of The Cricket in Times Square

The power of music to unite people and positively affect emotions is an important theme in the story. In addition to playing his own music, Chester learns many new songs by “human beings” on the radio. The songs that Chester plays include many musical genres. Following are links to examples of all the songs and kinds of music featured in the story. Listen and see how the music affects you.

“Indian Love Call”

Harry Cat’s favorite song is from Rose-Marie, a 1924 musical adapted to film in 1936. Here, the song is performed by Jeannette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. Listen to hear why the song is perfect for Harry’s type of singing.

The Blue Danube Waltz

This waltz by Johann Strauss II is the first human song Chester learns to play. Here, it’s performed by famous violinist André Rieu.

Italian Folk Songs

“Torna a Surriento”

“Come Back to Sorrento” is Mama Bellini’s favorite song. Hearing Chester play it recalls happy memories of her time in Italy and changes her negative opinion of him. The sentimental Neapolitan song was written in 1902 by Italian composer Ernesto de Curtis. In this version, Italian American singer Dean Martin sings the lyrics in both Italian and English.

“Nessun Dorma”

Chester plays various operatic arias—especially those written for tenor voices such as this one from the classic Italian opera Turandot by Italian composer Giacomo Antonio Puccini. This performance features Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti.

“Siboney”

A South American rhumba inspires Tucker to dance—with disastrous results. Composed by Ernesto Lecuona in 1929, this popular rhumba has been covered by many orchestras and vocalists. Xavier Cugat offers a spirited instrumental version that would’ve gotten Tucker’s toes tapping.

“Grand March” from Aida

The “Triumphal March” or “Gloria all’ Egitto” from Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Aida occurs in Act II, Scene II. This version is a live-action clip from an opulent production. The most famous part begins at 3:17 of the video.

Classical Symphonies

Chester learns three movements from different symphonies. Classical Music.com, sponsored by BBC’s Music magazine, lists the top 20 symphonies as chosen by 151 eminent conductors, with sample orchestral performances of works by Beethoven, Mozart, Mahler, Brahms, and others that Chester might have chosen.

Musical Comedies

Chester learns “half a dozen songs from musical comedies” (110). Both Guys and Dolls and Singing in the Rain premiered in the 1950s, and songs from their popular soundtracks might have been on the radio for Chester to learn. Following are examples of two songs Chester might have learned from these musicals.

“Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat” from the film Guys and Dolls

The musical, which premiered on Broadway in 1950, was based on stories by New Yorker Damon Runyon and set in New York City. This version is performed by Stubby Kaye in the 1955 film version.

“Singin’ in the Rain” from the film Singin’ in the Rain

The movie version premiered in 1952. In it, Gene Kelly performs the title song.

“The Four Seasons: Winter”

Chester learns the solo part of a violin concerto and may have learned “Winter,” or “L’inverno,” which is part of four famous violin concertos called “The Four Seasons” (“Le quattro stagioni”) by Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi. Here, the solo violinist, Cynthia Miller Freivogel, gives a stunning performance and shows just how skilled Chester must have been if he learned this concerto.

Four Hymns

Chester learned these four hymns and performed “Onward Christian Soldiers” even better than Mr. Smedley’s church organist.

“Rock of Ages”

Performed here by the Tabernacle Choir (formerly the Mormon Tabernacle Choir)

“Onward Christian Soldiers”

Sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

“The Rosary”

A 1951 recording featuring Mario Lanza

“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”

Performed by the Mormon Youth Chorus

“A Little Night Music”

“Eine Kleine Nachtmusik” (Serenade No. 13 in G Major, 1897) was composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Harry and Tucker like this music especially because Chester learned it at night and is himself “little” and “it was lovely music too, with little tunes that sounded like insects hopping around and having a grand time” (119). This recording features the McGill Symphony Orchestra of Montreal.

Irish Jig: “The Swallowtail Jig”

Unfortunately, Chester doesn’t feel like playing the Irish jig that he hears on the radio, but he would’ve done a great job because a jig has a strong violin part. “The Swallowtail Jig” is a classic Irish fiddle tune, and violinist Katy Adelson gives a brilliant performance in a fast version of this jig.

Sextet from Lucia di Lammermoor

“Loochy the Murmurer,” as Tucker calls it, is a famous tragic opera composed by Gaetano Donizetti with a libretto by Salvadore Cammarano. The story is based on Sir Walter Scott’s novel The Bride of Lammermoor (1819). Chester plays the tenor’s part of the sextet as the encore to his final concert, making everyone stop and listen. This performance of the sextet, or the Act II Finale, “Chi mi frena in tal momento,” is by the New York Metropolitan Opera.

Chinese Cuisine

Chester and Mario enjoy their meal with Sai Fong and his friend. Try your hand at making some of the same recipes. Asian-American celebrity chef Jet Tila cooks some of the same recipes that Sai Fong served—and makes it look easy.

“Perfect Fried Rice”

Sai Fong made rice with pork, but this fried rice with chicken is still delicious!

Hong-Kong Style Chicken Chow Mein

Mario thinks Sai Fong’s chow mein is wonderful: He’d probably like this too.