Audiences will have the opportunity to join Ryder and the pups, Chase, Marshall, Skye, Rubble, Rocky, Zuma, Everest and many other friends, as they teach about leadership and teamwork.
Matt Lamb, a native of Glassport, PA and current resident of Pittsburgh, will portray the role of Mayor Humdinger in Paw Patrol Live!
Lamb, who has performed in other children’s theater productions, feels that live theater for this particular demographic is important.
“One, I think it is the experience, and two it is very gratifying for the kids. With the show I am actually able to talk to the kids in a way and interact with them and see their reactions. It is very real,” he told HeraldStandard.com. “The show is a cartoon and this is live action. It is unbelievable to hear their voices. I hear them cheering when Ryder comes out, or for the pups or the mayor. Because I am Mayor Humdinger I get a few boos. The way the theaters are they are very large houses and the kids are really into it and it is wonderful.”
The show centers around a big race that is taking place between Mayor Goodway, the mayor of Adventure Bay and Mayor Humdinger, the mayor of Foggy Bottom.
“When the show starts Ryder, who is the leader of the Paw Patrol, he comes out and greets everyone to Adventure Bay. Today is the day of the great adventure race between Mayor Goodway and Mayor Humdinger. He teaches the kids some cheers. It is very interactive. When the kids come in they get pompoms and they can cheer along with Mayor Goodway and you get to meet the pups and they come out,” explained Lamb. “You find out that Mayor Goodway is in a bit of trouble and the Paw Patrol do what they do best and help out. They have to find clues around Adventure Bay. When they find a clue Ryder reads it out loud and asks the audience to help out. They have to get to Adventure Bay before sundown. They will see a lot of familiar faces throughout adventure bay. It is basically a race to the finish.”
Jim Waters, producer for VStar Entertainment Group said, “Using Bunraku, puppetry elements are built into costumes worn by real actors to create a wonderful combination of life-sized pups and to make a stronger connection with the audience. The Paw Patrol cast sings and dances, which brings a fun, realistic parallel between the animated series and the live show.”
Humdinger serves as a character that challenges the pups.
“Mayor Humdinger is the mayor of Foggy Bottom and his very mischievous. He is a little selfish and he always has to be the best. He is a ‘win at all costs’ (type) and eventually whatever he tries backfires,” said Lamb. “He tries to be the best mayor. It is a great story of good versus bad and how doing the right thing will always be right. He does turn around after realizing, at the end of our show, a good lesson.”
For Lamb, being able to make this cartoon character come alive in front of the audience has been a great experience.
“It’s a cartoon and I like [bringing] that to life. This is the first live action tour for ‘Paw Patrol’ and I get to bring that character to life,” he said.
“I watch a lot of Paw Patrol. I want to make sure that I do my best to sound like the characters. I want to make sure I stay true to the narrative and to the cartoon character and what he does.
Tickets for “Race to the Rescue,” an inaugural partnership between VStar Entertainment Group and Nickelodeon, range between $18 to $60. There is a limited number of VIP (Very Important Pup) meet and greet ticket packages that start at $120.
To purchase go online to trustarts.org or call 415-566-6666.
“What is great (about the show) is it teaches the same lessons that are a part of the cartoon like team work and leadership and helping others,” said Lamb.
“Plus it is live theater. For a lot of kids it may be their first experience for live theater. What I hope is that it installs in them the want to see more and to enjoy the arts,” he said.
More Nick: PAW PATROL LIVE! to 'Race to the Rescue' at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, NJ This Winter!
Additional source: Wikipedia (I, II)
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