The time was right to create a live "Rugrats" show, according to executive producer Jonathan Hochwald of Pace Variety Entertainment.
"Pace had been wanting to do a live children's show that went beyond the parade-and-wave format," Hochwald said during a phone interview from his office in New York."We were looking to do a Broadway show for kids."
The result is "Rugrats: A Live Adventure," based on the Nickelodeon TV cartoon of the same name. The show will find its way to the E Center for a four-day run beginning Friday, Sept. 18. Evening curtain for Sept. 18-19 and 21, is 7 p.m. There will be two matinees Sept. 19, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and one Sept. 20 at 1 p.m.
Tickets are available at the E Center box office or all Smith'sTix outlets. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 467-TIXX or 1-800-888-8499. Prices are $15, $20 and $25.
The plot of the live show has main character Tommy Pickles deciding the world is too scary. So his friends - Chuckie, Susie, Phil and Lil, along with his cousin Angelica - try to convince him otherwise.
Mark Mothersbaugh, singer/keyboardist for Devo, has written a soundtrack consisting of pop and reggae tunes performed by the characters. Mothersbaugh also writes all the music for the TV program.
"We had been in contact with Nickelodeon for some time and `Rugrats' seemed to be the perfect property," Hochwald said. "It's a unique program that speaks with kids in their own language and gives adults a twisted view through the eyes of children."
Hochwald said the timing was perfect because of the buzz around the TV series. "It is hot on the ratings. And there is going to be movie out in the fall."
One of the obstacles Pace and Nickelodeon had to face was the creation of unique sets and costumes. "We had to deal with the fact that this was a live show that was based on an animated TV program. We had to create costumes of the toddlers that were, in reality, 6 feet tall. So in order to make them look like kids, we had to design sets, like rocking chairs, that were 18 feet tall or so.
"Then we had to deal with the parent characters. So we found a way to get the parents in without having to make them 24 feet tall."
The ideas worked. In fact, the tour has been so successful that Pace is gearing up for a second touring company to headline the east coast. "We're in the middle of production for that company," Hochwald said. "We'll have two tours going on by winter.
"And we've got plans drawn for a sequel. We'll see how these two projects go and then hone in on the sequel. But so far, it's going real well."