“Barney- Live in Concert”

Okay kids, get ready! Barney and his Friends arrive in Chicagoland on December 10th. Yes, you can help celebrate his birthday as you watch him and his loveable friends sing and dance their way into your hearts. This is LIVE onstage at The Rosemont Theatre in Rosemont and also at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merriville Indiana. The show features all of Barney’s friends, as they celebrate his birthday in a musical spectacle featuring 25 upbeat songs .

I had the good fortune today to speak with a young man associated with the show, Alex, played by a young actor Nick Nunez, a recent graduate from The Boston Conservatory where he earned his degree in theater. Now, he is on the road, for perhaps a year or more, traveling to cities all over the USA to bring this exciting story to the kids in every town. Barney may be a Dino, but he and his friends ( Dinos and people) also teach kids about sharing and caring plus imagination through the power of song. Nick is very excited to be apart of this touring company as he enjoys watching the faces of the children as they watch their favorite character bring his message to them, live onstage. Born and raised in Fresno California, his love to perform started as a child when he witnessed live theater himself.

Being in a production like this, Nick is hopeful that other youngsters will be inspired by what they see on stage and that perhaps he himself will be the reason that some future star rises to the top. Meanwhile, he is having fun and hopes to get a chance to see some of the cities they are visiting. For the most part, theirs is a pack and play show. They finish, pack up the set and their stuff, and head for the next theater. They check out the new theater just to make sure they don’t have to make many changes, settle in and back to work. On some days, they do three performances and as an actor, he doesn’t tire because he feels the energy form the children in the audience. Good luck to Nick Nunez- I hope one day to see his name in lights, but if not, I hope that he has the opportunity to continue doing what he loves to do.

The show hits Chicago and The Rosemont Theater located at 5400 N. River Road for 4 performances: December 10th at 7 p.m. and December 11th ( Saturday) at 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Tickets range from $15-$36 and can be purchased by calling 847-671-5100 or  at Ticketmaster 1-800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com

Then they move on to Merriville for December 14th at 10:30 a.m. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

The Star is located at US30 and I-65 and Ticketmaster would be the way to go.

No matter which venue, you will be treated to some of your children;s favorite songs “Baby Bop Hop”, “Rock ‘n Roll Star”, “Dino Dance” and “Mr. Knickerbocker”. Watching your children’s faces light us is always one of the great pleasures in life and this Birthday Bash will surely accomplish this. In fact, they will probably be dancing in the aisles when they here updated versions of “If You’re Happy and You Know It” and “The Wheels On The Bus”- Nick tells me they are extraordinary and I for one can’t wait to watch my grand kids and their reaction to this marvelous sounding production.

Let your family enjoy this special treat for the holiday season and while the kids are enjoying, they will also be learning. Barney and his Friends always celebrate the importance of friendship and wholsome values. Enjoy!