Published: August 21, 2008 01:48 am      

‘Backyardigans,’ ‘Mountain Stage’ will entertain at WVU

FAIRMONT — From the backyard to the mountain, when it comes to entertainment, West Virginia University is offering something for everyone.

The national touring production of “The Backyardigans Live! Tale of the Mighty Knights” will be presented by Nickelodeon and Broadway Across America at 4 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21, at the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theater at the Creative Arts Center.

Tickets may be purchased at the WVU Mountainlair Box Office (293-SHOW), online at ticketmaster.com, and charge by phone at 292-0220. They may also be purchased at Ticketmaster outlets, including Giant Eagle below the Mountaineer Mall. Ticket prices range from $18 to $35.

“We try to bring in a couple of kids’ shows every year,” said Ali Daly, media and public relations, WVU Arts & Entertainment. “This is a big one. It’s probably the number two show on Nick Jr. It has a lot of fans.

“The kids will like it because it has a lot of singing and dancing. The songs appeal to the power of imagination and are about courage and friendships. I think kids will be singing, dancing and laughing.

“It’s for parents, too. I think any parent likes to have his or her child exposed to things that stimulate the imagination. Nickelodeon is good about having shows that send the right message.”

“The Backyardigans Live! Tale of the Mighty Knights” is based on the primetime Nickelodeon special, which premiered Jan. 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.

If you have access to a preschooler, all of this will make perfect sense.

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

Since its debut on Nickelodeon’s preschool weekday lineup, The Backyardigans has become the number-two-rated preschool show on all of commercial TV among the target audience of preschoolers.

Just a week later, “Mountain Stage” takes to the stage once again at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, also at the CAC’s Lyell B. Clay Concert Theater. Tickets are not yet on sale.

“We like to have them here a couple times a year,” she said. “This will really branch out to the music fans, the students who like to hear new music. It’s the best-kept secret.”

Jayme Stone, the Jerry Douglas Band and Drew Emmit will be the performers. This follows the typical “Mountain Stage” format, she said.

“It usually has four to five artists. Some may be up-and-coming artists; others may be veterans and have been around for years.

“It’s a very eclectic taste, very versatile, a variety that has something for everyone.

“It’s a good concert to come to and open your ears to new music. Sometimes it’s folk; sometimes it’s blue grass. But it’s good stuff.

“I don’t think a lot of people know about ‘Mountain Stage.’ It doesn’t get the accolades it deserves. People may not know about it, but it’s one of the best ways to hear new music out there.”

E-mail Debra Minor Wilson at dwilson@timeswv.com.