NEW YORK, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- HIT Entertainment, one of the world's leading independent children's entertainment producers and rights owners, in association with UK-based I.P. Live, announce the debut of Bob the Builder(TM) LIVE! Spud's Big Mess -- Bob the Builder's first touring stage show in the US in five years. The show will be presented by Magic Arts & Entertainment, a subsidiary of Tix Corporation , and is set to premiere in York, PA on January 9, 2009 and travel to more than 70 cities nationwide through June.
"HIT Entertainment is thrilled to work with I.P. Live and Magic & Arts Entertainment to bring everyone's favorite builder to kids and families across the country in such a vibrant, high-quality stage show production," said Gary Krakower, Senior Vice President, US Licensing & Live Events, HIT Entertainment. "Bob the Builder's positive messages of teamwork and follow-through, along with his lessons about caring for the environment, have made him a phenomenally popular character worldwide and will resonate with kids and families through this exciting stage show."
"Bob the Builder has become one of the biggest stars on any stage around the globe," says producer Martin Flitton of I.P. Live. "For most kids in the US, Bob the Builder will be their first theatrical experience and opportunity to learn how theater works. All the wonderful lessons that come from Bob the Builder's live show are a plus."
Tickets are available via each venue's website. For general tour information, and links to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.bobthebuilder.com/. (Show schedule attached.)
Based on the popular international television show sensation that airs in the US on PBS KIDS(R) and PBS KIDS Sprout(SM), Bob the Builder(TM) LIVE! Spud's Big Mess is a singing and dancing extravaganza for budding builders and their families. The show stars Bob the Builder, his business partner Wendy, trusty machine-team members Scoop, Dizzy, Lofty and Scrambler and other favorite friends from Sunflower Valley, including the mischievous scarecrow Spud, Farmer Pickles and Mayor Bentley.
The show begins as Bob and his team build the first-ever recycling center and wind farm in Sunflower Valley. It isn't long before some items go missing and a few of Bob's friends mysteriously disappear. Faced with a mountain of garbage, they must figure out who is responsible for the mess and work together to fix it, while dealing with Spud's antics. Can they all pull together and get the job done? Yes they can!
The 90-minute show features ten original songs and sees the characters embark on an adventure that promotes positive messages of caring for the environment, recycling, teamwork, cooperation and, of course, the importance of a can-do spirit. Interwoven into the storyline are takeaway lessons for kids and good reminders for the grown-ups, including how to:
-- Encourage habits such as taking care of the earth and everything that lives on it -- Understand what it means to recycle and reuse -- Identify and define a recycling center and how to find one while understanding its importance -- Define trash and recycling, incorporating the motto, "Trash is only trash if you don't recycle it."
In support of the eco-friendly messages of this show, the producers will use all show communications to encourage attendees to read the show programs online. In addition, show materials will include special recycling tips and eco-themed activities for kids. All venues where the live show is performing will be encouraged to use recycling containers and include how to attend the show by using public transportation on their website.
About Bob the Builder(TM)
Bob the Builder and his machine team are ready to tackle any project. As they hammer out the solutions that lead to a job well done, Bob and the Can-Do Crew demonstrate the power of positive-thinking, problem-solving, teamwork and follow-through. Most importantly, from start to finish, the team always shows that The Fun Is In Getting It Done! Bob the Builder can be seen building, digging and hauling on PBS KIDS(R) and PBS KIDS Sprout(SM) Episodes are also available for download through iTunes. For more information about Bob the Builder, and the Can-Do Crew please visit http://www.bobthebuilder.com/.
About Magic Arts & Entertainment
Magic Arts & Entertainment, headed by Lee Marshall and Joe Marsh, is one of the foremost tour producing companies in the United States. In addition to Mannheim Steamroller, the company is also currently producing the North American tours of "Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance," "The Magic of David Copperfield," "Jesus Christ Superstar" starring Ted Neeley, and "Rain, A Tribute to The Beatles." They are also producing the upcoming tours of "Bob The Builder Live" and "101 Dalmatians! The Musical!" As former owners of Magicworks Entertainment, Marshall and Marsh produced and promoted some of the world's most successful concerts, theatricals and family shows. For more information, please visit http://www.magicentertainment.tv/.
About TIX Corporation
Tix Corporation is an integrated entertainment organization offering ticketing services, event merchandising and concert and theatrical productions. It currently operates five prime locations in Las Vegas under the Tix4Tonight marquee -- offering up to a 50 percent discount for same-day shows, concerts, attractions and sporting events. It also offers discount golf and dining through its sales locations in Las Vegas. The company sells premium tickets to concerts, theater and sporting events throughout the United States. Its Exhibit Merchandising operation is engaged in branding, product merchandise development and sales activities related to museum exhibitions and other events -- including the King Tutankhamen and Real Pirates tours, selling themed souvenir memorabilia and collector's items in specialty stores in conjunction with the specific events and venues. The company's newest division, Tix Productions is dedicated to concert and live theatrical promotion and production of events throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.
Except for the historical information contained herein, certain matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based on expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in the company's various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
About HIT Entertainment
HIT Entertainment, owned by private equity investment group Apax Partners, is one of the world's leading independent children's entertainment producers and rights-owners. HIT's portfolio includes properties, such as Barney(TM), Bob the Builder(TM), Thomas & Friends(TM), Pingu(TM), Fireman Sam(TM), Angelina Ballerina(TM) and Rainbow Magic(TM). HIT represents Chapman Entertainment's Fifi and the Flowertots(TM) and Roary the Racing Car(TM) in North America and Japan, as well as Wallace & Gromit(TM), Shaun the Sheep(TM), Timmy Time(TM) and Aardman Classics from Aardman Animations. HIT also acts as a worldwide representative for The Jim Henson Company's library of classic family brands and as representative for The Wiggles(R) in the UK. Launched in 1989, HIT's lines of business span television and video production, content distribution, publishing, consumer products licensing and live events and has operations in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan. HIT is a part-owner of US-based preschool channel, PBS KIDS Sprout(SM), and international preschool channel JimJam, (outside of the US, UK and China). For more information, visit http://www.hitentertainment.com/.
To download artwork, please visit http://www.hitnewsonline.com/. Bob the Builder LIVE! Spud's Big Mess Tour Schedule DATE CITY VENUE January 9 York, Pennsylvania Strand Capital PAC January 10 Waterbury, Connecticut Palace Theater January 11 Providence, Rhode Island Providence PAC January 13 Grand Rapids, Michigan DeVos Performing Hall January 14 Wabash, Indiana Honeywell Center January 16 Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania F.M. Kirby Center January 17 Baltimore, Maryland Lyric Opera House January 18 Worchester, Massachusetts Worchester Center for the PA January 19-20 New Brunswick, New Jersey State Theatre January 22 Ashland, Kentucky Paramount Arts Center January 23 Morgantown, West Virginia Concert Theatre January 24-25 Hershey, Pennsylvania Hershey Theatre January 27 Akron, Ohio EJ Thomas Hall January 28 East Lansing, Michigan Wharton Center January 29 Bloomington, Indiana Indiana University Auditorium January 30 Merrillville, Indiana Star Plaza Theatre January 31 Minneapolis, Minnesota Orpheum Theatre February 1 Cedar Falls, Iowa Gallagher Bluedorn PAC February 3 Hamilton, Ontario Hamilton Place February 4 Peterborough, Ontario Peterborough Memorial Centre February 5 Kitchener, Ontario Centre In the Square February 6 Flint, Michigan Whiting Auditorium February 7 Chicago, Illinois Chicago Theatre February 8 Des Moines, Iowa Civic Center February 10 Sioux City, Iowa Orpheum Theatre February 11 Sioux Falls, South Dakota Washington Pavilion of A&S February 13 Omaha, Nebraska Orpheum Theatre February 14 Kansas City, Missouri Music Hall Kansas City February 15 Fayetteville, Arkansas Walton Arts Center February 17 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Civic Center Music Hall February 18 Wichita, Kansas Century II PA & Convention February 19 Springfield, Missouri Juanita K. Hammons Hall PAC February 20 Tulsa, Oklahoma Mabee Center February 21-22 Dallas, Texas Majestic Center February 23 Texarkana, Texas Perot Theatre February 25 McAllen, Texas McAllen Civic Center February 26 Corpus Christi, Texas Selena Auditorium February 27-28 San Antonio, Texas Majestic Theatre March 1 Austin, Texas Long Center for the PA March 2-3 Lubbock, Texas City Bank Auditoriums March 5 Tucson, Arizona Centennial Hall March 6 Escondido, California California Center for the Arts March 7 Cerritos, California Cerritos Center for the PA March 8 Tempe, Arizona ASU Gammage Auditoriums March 11-12 Los Angeles, California Wilshire Theatre March 13-15 San Francisco, California Golden Gate March 16 Eugene, Oregon Hult Center for the PA March 18 Wenatchee, Washington PAC of Wenatchee March 19 Vancouver, BC Queen Elizabeth March 20-22 Seattle, Washington Paramount Theatre April 14 Lakeland, Florida Lakeland Center April 15 Melbourne, Florida King Center for the PA April 17 Sarasota, Florida Van Wenzel PA Hall April 18 Clearwater, Florida Ruth Eckerd Hall April 19 Gainesville, Florida Phillips Center for PA April 20 Pensacola, Florida Saenger Theatre April 21 Jackson, Mississippi Thalia Mara Hall April 22 Panama City, Florida Marina Civic Center April 24-26 Fort Lauderdale, Florida Parker Playhouse April 28 Columbus, Georgia River Center for the PA April 29-30 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina The Palace Theatre May 1 Columbia, South Carolina Koger Center for the Arts May 2-3 Charlotte, North Carolina Belk Theatre May 5-7 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Academy of Music May 8 Salem, Virginia Salem Civic Center May 10 Richmond, Virginia Landmark Theater May 12 Newport News, Virginia Ferguson Center for the Arts May 14 Montgomery, Alabama Montgomery PAC May 15-17 Nashville, Tennessee Tennessee PAC May 18 Evansville, Indiana Centre Auditorium May 20 North Charleston, North Charleston PAC South Carolina May 21 Jacksonville, Florida Times Union May 22-24 Raleigh, North Carolina Raleigh Memorial Auditorium May 26 Albany, New York Palace Theatre May 27 Utica, New York Stanley Theatre & PAC May 28 Syracuse, New York Landmark Theater May 29 Buffalo, New York Shea's Theatre May 30-31 New York City, New York Beacon Theatre June 2-3 Knoxville, Tennessee Knoxville Civic Auditorium June 4 Chattanooga, Tennessee Chattanooga Memorial Auditorium June 5-7 Memphis, Tennessee Orpheum Theatre June 8 Lafayette, Louisiana Heymann Performing Arts Center June 11 Halifax, Nova Scotia Cohn Auditorium June 12 Truro, Nova Scotia Truro High School Auditorium June 13 Fredericton, New Brunswick Fredericton Playhouse June 14 St. John, New Brunswick Imperial Theatre
