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Grossology (MOSH)
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by kellie abrahamson
kabrahamson1@aol.com
Last year The Wiggles grossed more than fellow Australians Nicole Kidman and AC/DC combined. With their blend of educational content, catchy tunes and kid-friendly comedy, The Wiggles have become legendary with tiny tots and their families. The quartet will begin their US tour later this month with no Jacksonville dates set as of yet. Luckily, the children of the River City will have an opportunity to experience a bit of The Wiggles World next week when their pal Dorothy the Dinosaur comes to town. Dorothy the Dinosaur’s Dance Party will be at the Times-Union Center on October 12th.
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The Wiggles have been performing for children for 15 years and were introduced to American audiences in the mid-90’s. Today toddlers everywhere know exactly who The Wiggles are and think of them as rock stars. Because their star status requires them to tour the world, The Wiggles send their friends on the road to visit with their fans when they aren’t able to do it themselves. So, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus and Captain Feathersword have been traveling the United States performing for kids on behalf of their famous friends. Former “Red Coat Dancer” Brett Clark has been working with The Wiggles for five years and is one of the two hosts of Dorothy the Dinosaur’s Dance Party.
“It’s full of everybody’s favorite Wiggles songs… we basically have a lot of fun. It’s very interactive with the children. We don’t get anybody up on stage, but of course we do encourage everybody to get up out of their seats and dance, not just the children but the parents as well to basically have a lot of fun with us,” the 35-year-old actor said. ” Some of the theaters that we’re performing in now don’t have a lot of room in the seating area so kids are up and they’re dancing up and down in the aisles and if a theater down in the front has a bit of an orchestra pit we seem to have a little kiddie mosh pit in the front which is quite funny. It’s great to see.”
Songs like “Hot Potato” and “Fruit Salad” will certainly be performed by the honorary Wiggle and his familiar companions along with some snazzy dance moves during the roughly hour-long performance. The show was designed, arranged and produced by The Wiggles themselves, three of which have degrees in Early Childhood Education, so it’s sure to be a fun experience with a little bit of learning thrown in.
As for the group’s ever growing popularity with pre-schoolers and their parents, Clark suspects it’s all about the music.
“I think the songs are so catchy that you can’t help but feel happy once you’re hearing the songs and getting up and dancing around… Children are very sincere with what they’re interested in and what they’re not interested in and if you’re having a good time on stage then they’re going to have a good time and you keep them entertained. And the parents seem to enjoy listening to the songs… If they don’t enjoy the songs then they’re the ones that are going to turn off the television or put something else on. So I think it has a lot to do with the music… The four Wiggles themselves are just genuine nice guys. I think that comes across in the performance as well.”
Dorothy the Dinosaur’s Dance Party will take place Thursday, October 12th at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Tickets range in price from $19-$30.00 plus applicable service charge and can be charged by phone: (904) 632-3373 or ordered online at www.artistseries.fccj.org. This is sure to be a very popular event, so be sure to get your tickets soon!
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