Small Theaters Are Chosen For The Tour; Several Cities Announced
Mattel and tour promoter Clear Channel have announced 31 tour dates for the "Barbie Live in Fairytopia", stage show that will bring the popular Barbie Fairytopia movie to life. The first leg of the tour will kick off in Columbus, Ohio, at the Palace Theatre on April 1, 2006, and the tour will then continue on to 80 cities within North America. Some markets which have already been scheduled include Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Detroit and Washington D.C. Tickets for several markets are already on sale, with additional venues to follow in the coming months. One surprise, for me at least, is that I expected this to be a bit like "Disney On Ice" playing in big, basketball arenas. I was wrong! Each venue will seat only 1,500 - 3,000 people, which will provide a much more theater-like experience. Ticket prices will vary by venue but will average $22 to $25 per ticket. To purchase tickets, and for additional tour date information, visit www.barbielive.com.
Casting For Production Has Begun
Casting for the production began in New York earlier this month, with open auditions for the starring role of Barbie. The audition of the Barbie hopefuls was featured on "Good Morning America" on the ABC Network. The audition was held at the Chelsea Studios for the role of Barbie as Elina, a wingless fairy in the land of Fairytopia. The actress cast in this leading role will be announced early next year.
Elina Is An Intricate Role
"The actress that we end up casting in the role of Elina must have tremendous singing and dancing skills, as well as strong athletic capabilities. Barbie Live in Fairytopia' will tour 80 cities and is an elaborate stage production that includes a number of special effects--including flying, " said Eric Schaeffer, the production's director. "The actress we cast needs to have the sparkle and charisma necessary to act as the world's most famous fashion doll in our production."
Dates Announced For Barbie Live In Fairytopia As Of December 15, 2005
*Tickets currently on-sale
APRIL 1-2 COLUMBUS, OH PALACE THEATRE*
APRIL 5-9 DETROIT, MI FOX THEATRE*
APRIL 12-15 CHICAGO, IL AUDITORIUM THEATRE*
APRIL 19-23 BOSTON, MA WANG THEATRE*
APRIL 25-26 MUNCIE, IN EMMONS AUDITORIUM
APRIL 28-30 WALLINGFORD, CT CHEVROLET THEATRE
MAY 3-4 ERIE, PA WARNER THEATRE
MAY 5-7 BUFFALO, NY SHEA'S BUFFALO
MAY 9-10 FT. WAYNE, IN EMBASSY THEATRE
MAY 12-14 MEMPHIS, TN ORPHEUM THEATRE
MAY 16-17 SPRINGFIELD, MO HAMMONS HALL
MAY 19-21 MILWAUKEE, WI MARCUS PAC
MAY 31- JUNE 4 BALTIMORE, MD NEW HIPPODROME
JUNE 6-7 KNOXVILLE, TN CIVIC AUDITORIUM
JUNE 9-11 FT. LAUDERDALE, FL BROWARD PAC
JUNE 13-14 MELBOURNE, FL MAXWELL KING CENTER
JUNE 16-18 TAMPA, FL TAMPA BAY PAC
JUNE 21-25 WASHINGTON, DC WARNER THEATRE
JULY 11-12 RICHMOND, VA LANDMARK THEATRE
JULY 14-16 CHARLOTTE, NC BELK THEATRE
JULY 18-19 DAYTON, OH SCHUSTER THEATRE
JULY 21-23 CINCINNATI, OH THE ARONOFF
JULY 25-26 PEORIA, IL CIVIC CENTER
JULY 28-30 CLEVELAND, OH PALACE THEATRE
AUGUST 1-2 LITTLE ROCK, AR ROBINSON AUDITORIUM
AUGUST 4-6 LOUISVILLE, KY PALACE THEATRE
AUGUST 8-13 FT. WORTH, TX BASS HALL
AUGUST 16-20 LOS ANGELES, CA KODAK THEATRE
AUGUST 22-23 FRESNO, CA SAROYAN THEATRE
AUGUST 25-27 SAN DIEGO, CA CIVIC CENTER
AUGUST 30 - SEPT 3 SACRAMENTO, CA COMMUNITY CENTER
