February 8, 2008

Nickelodeon's 'The Backyardigans Live!' to perform at Elliott Hall

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Nickelodeon and Live Nation are sponsoring the national tour, and Purdue Convocations is presenting this performance.

"The Backyardigans Live! Tale of the Mighty Knights" is based on the primetime Nickelodeon special, which premiered Jan. 14. It follows Nickelodeon's backyard friends, Uniqua and Tyrone, as they become Knights and embark on a quest to protect King Pablo's unpredictable egg. Along the way, Grabbing Goblin Austin and Flighty Fairy Tasha join the medieval mayhem as the runaway egg hatches feet and makes an unexpected dash all the way up to Dragon Mountain.

"'The Backyardigans Live!' is a musical designed to inspire preschoolers to dance, sing and use their imagination," said Laura Clavio, assistant director of Purdue Convocations. "The characters will ask for the audience's participation throughout the show as they chase the runaway egg."

The performance is recommended for children ages 2-6.

"The Backyardigans Live!" includes some of the same creative team that produces "The Backyardigans" for Nick Jr. television, including Emmy-nominated writer Adam Peltzman and choreographer Beth Bogush. Drama Desk Award-nominated director, Lou Jacob, also has signed on to direct the production.

Since its debut on Nickelodeon's preschool weekday lineup, "The Backyardigans" has become the No. 2 rated preschool show on all of commercial TV among the target audience of preschoolers, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Nickelodeon Recreation is one of the leading producers of theatrical and touring shows for kids and their families. Strategically leveraging Nickelodeon's television shows into high quality Broadway-level stage productions that tour both domestically and in international markets, the division has executive produced 14 multimillion dollar theatrical stage productions that have grossed more than $100 million in tickets sales, Clavio said.

"We're excited about our latest live theatrical endeavor for families," said Stuart Rosenstein, senior vice president, Resorts and Theatricals, Nickelodeon Recreation. "'The Backyardigans' has proven to be a huge hit with Nickelodeon families, and based on the enormous success of the 'Dora' and 'Diego' live shows, we're confident 'The Backyardigans Live!' will have the same fantastic response from kids and parents across the country."

Live Nation is a leading live event and venue management company focused on creating a superior experience for artists, performers, corporations and fans. Other Live Nation family productions include touring productions of Nickelodeon's "Go, Diego, Go Live!," "Dora the Explorer Live!," "Blue's Clues Live!" and Mattel's "Barbie Live in Fairytopia!"

Tickets are $20-36 for the general public and $12-26 for Purdue and Ivy Tech students and children under age 19. Groups of 10 or more can receive a discount when ordering through the Purdue box office.

Tickets go on sale to Purdue and Ivy Tech Lafayette students, and Purdue faculty and staff with a current ID at 10 a.m. Feb. 22 at the Elliott Hall of Music and Stewart Center box offices at (765) 494-3933. Tickets for the general public will go on sale at 10 a.m. Feb. 23 at Ticketmaster at (765) 743-5151 and https://www.ticketmaster.com. Friends of Convocations and groups of 10 or more may order advance tickets through 5 p.m. Feb. 19 by calling (765) 494-9712.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Sources: Kerry Schutt Nason, Purdue Convocations director of marketing, (765) 494-5045, knason@purdue.edu

Laura Clavio, (765) 496-2913, lzclavio@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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