The WIGGLES are coming

Pre-schoolers- get ready! Your favorite entertainers are on their way to Chicago with a brand new show, “The Wiggles! Wiggly Circus Live!” at the Rosemont Theatre, Saturday, August 28th for two shows only. I had the opportunity to talk with one of them, Jeff (after I woke him up, of course) to learn more about this exciting new show. Jeff (Jeff Fatt- the Purple Wiggle) is an accomplished pianist. He was a rock band member in Australia, a group called “The Cockroaches”.  The band was led by Anthony Field (Blue Wiggle) and when it broke up; Jeff was asked to join Anthony in recording some kid’s music. It was supposed to be an album or two and what started as a part time gig has become 18 years or pure magic bringing pleasure to kids, and this is just the start!

To youngsters, they are known as “The Fab Four from Down Under” and they promise that this new live show will be a wonderful experience for pre-schoolers and their families. They will be joined by all the kid’s favorites: Captain Feathersword, Dorothy the Dinosauer, Henry the Octopus, Wags the Dog and the Wiggly Dancers. It’s the smell of “Hot Poppin Corn” and the excitement of “A Big Show”! These four talents know just what to do to get the little one’s involved. Some of the members are educated in early children learning but they all know what it is that makes kids enjoy! They get the kids involved early in the show by allowing them to be interactive, sort of like a rock concert for the little ones-

They can wiggle in the aisles as the performers come into the audience with song and dance. They want the kids to be involved and even ask that they create signs or dress up like their favorite character and of course, yell “Wake up Jeff” whenever he starts to doze off onstage. Jeff won’t say exactly how this started, but once it did, it stuck and has become his “trademark”. In fact, often the kids yell out to him to go to sleep, just so they can yell “Wake Up Jeff”. The Wiggles are magic for the little ones. This is a tough audience to perform for but Jeff said they are able to hold their interest by being real and allowing them to be a part of the show. This show will only be in Chicago (in reality Rosemont) for one day, August 28th at 12:30 p.m. and at 4 p.m. with tickets on sale starting July 16th. Tickets can be purchased at The Rosemont Theatre box office, all Ticketmaster outlets or by phone at 800-745-3000. Prices range from $15-$85. The VIP section ($85) is the best seats in the house and includes a gift and a coloring activity sheet and the opportunity to dance along with The Wiggles.

While the kids are waiting, take them online to www.WiggleTime.com and let them get a taste of the Wiggles. They can also be found on Facebook.com/TheWiggles- I have witnessed these performers on stage back when my grandson was three and he had a ball. Come to think of it, so did I.