THEATER: Arthur opens Artpark season

By Phil Dzikiy<br><a href="mailto:dzikiyp@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Phil</a>

Fri, May 16 2008

— Arthur the aardvark is coming to Artpark, and he’s got enough fans to sell out at least one show.
Arthur Read, a character created by author Marc Brown, will appear with the rest of his friends from the book and TV series in “Arthur Live!” The stage show will feature the costumed characters in their own musical.
The 10:30 a.m. show set for Wednesday is already sold out, but tickets are still available for the 7 p.m. showing, according to Artpark President George Osborne.
The current tour has performed some 100 shows since last September, said Tom Zaizar, an associate producer for the show. Artpark will be one of the show’s last stops this season.
As for what to expect, the show stays true to the stories, Zaizar said.
“We’ve had nothing but positive response,” he said. “There are a lot of great songs and a lot of audience participation.”
The show’s popularity stretches beyond younger children, as teenagers often show up to see “Arthur Live!” as they remember watching the TV show and reading the books when they were younger, Zaizar said.
“It’s for kids of all ages,” he said.
Artpark usually does one show for children every year, Osborne said. “Arthur Live!” is on a larger scale than many previous children’s shows, however.
“They actually can do this show in arenas,” Osborne said.
Artpark management is hesitant to add additional children’s shows throughout its summer schedule, as it becomes harder to sell tickets for such shows after the school year ends, Osborne said.
So “Arthur Live!” is the one chance children have to catch a big show at Artpark this year. And according to Osborne, it won’t disappoint.
“I just think it will be a delightful show for people to see,” he said.