Nickelodeon Announces New Dates for 'The Backyardigans' Live!

Nickelodeon and Broadway Across America announced new performances of The Backyardigans Live! Tale of the Mighty Knights throughout 2008 and into 2009.  The national touring production will visit 30 new venues beginning Oct. 7 in Champaign, IL and stopping in Los Angeles; St. Louis; Salt Lake City; and Seattle; among other top markets.  A full list of cities and 2008 dates is below; 2009 tour dates/stops will be announced in the near future.

"The Backyardigans Live! tour has quickly become one of the most successful Nickelodeon live shows and families are demanding more of this interactive performance experience," said Stuart Rosenstein, Senior Vice President, Resorts and Theatricals, Nickelodeon Recreation.  "Now even more kids will have an opportunity to sing and dance with their favorite characters as they come to life on stage."

"We are extremely proud that so many families across the country enjoyed this fantastic production," says Jennifer Costello, senior vice president - Productions, Broadway Across America.  "This show has proven to be a touring blockbuster in its first year so we wanted to engage more people in the production."

The Backyardigans Live! Tale of the Mighty Knights 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 need the audience's help to face a mighty dragon and return the egg to the king.  The live show has the entire family singing, dancing and laughing along to songs of courage, friendship and the power of imagination.

The Backyardigans Live! comes from the same creative team that produces The Backyardigans for Nick Jr. television, including Emmy-nominated writer, Adam Peltzman, and choreographer Beth Bogush.  Evan Lurie, who penned scores for The Backyardigans, as well as directors such as Roberto Benigni and Stanley Tucci, serves as the composer for The Backyardigans Live!  Drama Desk Award-nominated director, Lou Jacob, directs the production.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit http://www.nickjr.com/.

About Broadway Across America

Formerly Live Nation Theatrical, Broadway Across America presents first-rate touring Broadway shows, family productions and other live theatrical events throughout a network of 42 North American cities. A leader in subscription series programs and group ticketing, Broadway Across America is dedicated to creating memorable and accessible experiences for all guests, selling over 5 million tickets to over 3,000 performances each year. As a producer, current and recent Broadway productions include: Hairspray, Chicago, Monty Python's Spamalot and The Producers.  It also manages, operates or consults in the operation of 8 theatres across North America.  For more information or to purchase tickets through an authorized agent go to BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.

About Nickelodeon

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

Nick Jr. is a specially designed programming block airing on Nickelodeon weekdays from 9 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (ET/PT).  Completely dedicated to preschoolers ages 2-5, Nick Jr.'s Emmy, Peabody and Parents' Choice Award-winning programs are curriculum based, fun and commercial free.  At Nick Jr., kids play to learn with innovative, original shows created just for them.

For more information, visit:
http://www.broadwayacrossamerica.com/
http://www.nickjr.com/

Photo courtesy Nickelodeon

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