Nickelodeon's 'The Backyardigans Live!' plays at the Phillips Center July 24

July 9, 2008

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Nickelodeon and Broadway Across America announce a brand-new, national touring production of “The Backyardigans Live! Tale of the Mighty Knights!.” The show will perform at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 24 at the Phillips Center.

“We’re excited about our latest, live theatrical endeavor for families,” said Stuart Rosenstein, senior vice president of Resorts and Theatricals of Nickelodeon Recreation.

“We are incredibly proud to be partnering again with Nickelodeon on this new tour of ‘The Backyardigans Live!,’” said Jennifer Costello, senior vice president of Theatrical-Production for Broadway Across America.

Since its debut on Nickelodeon’s preschool weekday lineup, “The Backyardigans” has become the No. 2-rated preschool show on all of commercial TV among preschoolers.

“The Backyardigans Live! Tale of the Mighty Knights!,” is based on the primetime Nickelodeon special which premiered January 14. It 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 will need the audience’s help to face a mighty dragon and return the egg to the king. “The Backyardigans Live!” will have the entire family singing, dancing and laughing along to songs of courage, friendship and the power of imagination.

“The Backyardigans Live!” includes some of the same creative team that produces “The Backyardigans” for Nick Jr. television. This includes Emmy-nominated writer, Adam Peltzman, and choreographer, Beth Bogush. Drama Desk Award-nominated director, Lou Jacob, also has signed on to direct the production.

Ticket prices range from $16 to $30. To purchase tickets, call the Phillips Center Box Office at 352-392-ARTS or 800-905-ARTS, toll-free within Florida, or call Ticketmaster at 800-277-1700. Tickets also may be purchased in person at the Phillips Center Box Office Hours, the University Box Office at the University of Florida Reitz Union, from any Ticketmaster outlet or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Cash checks, MasterCard and Visa are accepted. Visit www.nickjr.com for more details about the show.