Nickelodeon’s Backyardigans Live! Tale of the Mighty Knights Stages Brand-New Performances Beginning Fall 2008 through 2009

Hit Live Tour Adds 30 New Stops Beginning with Illinois on Oct. 7. and Travelling to Los Angeles, St. Louis, Seattle and More

NEW YORK.- Nickelodeon and Broadway Across America today announced new performances of The Backyardigans Live! Tale of the Mighty Knights throughout 2008 and into 2009. The national touring production will visit 30 new venues beginning Oct. 7 in Champaign, IL and stopping in Los Angeles; St. Louis; Salt Lake City; and Seattle; among other top markets. A full list of cities and 2008 dates is below; 2009 tour dates/stops will be announced in the near future.

“The Backyardigans Live! tour has quickly become one of the most successful Nickelodeon live shows and families are demanding more of this interactive performance experience,” said Stuart Rosenstein, Senior Vice President, Resorts and Theatricals, Nickelodeon Recreation. “Now even more kids will have an opportunity to sing and dance with their favorite characters as they come to life on stage.”

“We are extremely proud that so many families across the country enjoyed this fantastic production,” says Jennifer Costello, senior vice president - Productions, Broadway Across America. “This show has proven to be a touring blockbuster in its first year so we wanted to engage more people in the production.”

The Backyardigans Live! Tale of the Mighty Knights 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 need the audience’s help to face a mighty dragon and return the egg to the king. The live show has the entire family singing, dancing and laughing along to songs of courage, friendship and the power of imagination.

The Backyardigans Live! comes from the same creative team that produces The Backyardigans for Nick Jr. television, including Emmy-nominated writer, Adam Peltzman, and choreographer Beth Bogush. Evan Lurie, who penned scores for The Backyardigans, as well as directors such as Roberto Benigni and Stanley Tucci, serves as the composer for The Backyardigans Live! Drama Desk Award-nominated director, Lou Jacob, directs the production.