‘Storytime Live’ to provide entertainment for children and adults

By Kesley Joachim
Western Herald

Nickelodeon favorites Dora the Explorer, the Backyardigans, the Wonder Pets and Kai-Lan will come to Miller Auditorium for “Storytime Live,” with performances at 2 and 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 21.

The whole family is invited to join hosts Moose and Zee for “Storytime Live,” which features four of the top-rated preschool shows in a musical adventure.

“We serve the entire Kalamazoo community,” said Bethany Gauthier, assistant director of marketing at Miller Auditorium. “We have a big population of families in the area and judging by ticket sales and response, this show has been very well received.”

“Storytime Live” will feature four popular Nickelodeon children’s television shows as they come to the stage.

Audience members will be encouraged to help “Dora the Explorer” on her explorations and achieve her goals. Engaging both children and adults, the audience will meet new characters, learn Spanish, help Dora turn into a princess, and save Boots from a sleeping spell.

When a group of five preschool friends transform their backyard into a wild forest full of fantastic 3D landscapes, “The Backyardigans” is born. The show will feature diverse music and characters embarking on journeys, allowing preschoolers to stretch their bodies and imaginations. This section of “Storytime Live” follow the Backyardigans gang as they take part in the annual Festival of Dirt as Robin Hood the Clean helps restore the village of Filthingham.

Linny the Guinea Pig, Ming-Ming Duckling and Turtle Tuck, the three “Wonder Pets,” will teach preschoolers that with teamwork, any obstacle can be conquered. The three classroom pets scour the globe, rescuing animals in need.  In “Storytime Live,” The Wonder Pets gather Ollie, the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat and the Queen of Hearts for a one-of-a-kind celebration.

“Ni Hao, Kai-Lan” will combine and reinforce the idea that being bilingual and bicultural is being American. Audience members will get a glimpse of the values of Chinese-Americans and being a good member of a group, as well as set social and emotional goals through this show.  The audience will meet all of Kai-Lan’s favorite friends at the Monkey King’s castle for a Panda Party.

“Storytime Live” will run for an hour and a half, including a 15 minute intermission.

Most characters will be played by live actors and actresses, some in the form of puppetry, others wearing costumes with their faces visible.

“As a performing arts center, it is our duty to bring in a wide variety of different types of art and entertainment to meet the need of everyone in the community,” Gauthier said. “I definitely think ‘Storytime Live’ is an educational event. Each show teaches different lessons to the audience and the kids get to learn along with their favorite characters live on stage.”

Tori Distelrath, a Western Michigan University student majoring in occupational said, “I think it’s great that Miller is trying to reach out and appeal to a new demographic. It always feels good to know that you’re helping a child learn and progress and this show sounds like it is a great way to do.”

Tickets are on sale at Miller, with prices ranging from $15.75 to $35.75.

Specially priced family four-packs of Zone 2 seats are available for $99.

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Posted by heraldstaff on Mar 19 2010. Filed under A & E. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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