Fox Theatre Welcomes MADAGASCAR LIVE, 4/29-5/1

DreamWorks Theatricals and Broadway Across America today announced that they have partnered to launch "Madagascar Live," DreamWorks Theatricals' first-ever live family touring show. The production is expected to visit over 70 cities across the United States beginning in January 2011, including a stop at Detroit's Fox Theatre from Friday, April 29 through Sunday, May 1. The brand new stage show aimed at family audiences stars the cast of popular characters from the beloved Madagascar film series, including Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the Hippo and members of the madcap Madagascar crew, King Julien and the crafty Penguins.

"Madagascar Live" is sending one lucky family on the trip of a lifetime to see the show at New York City's legendary Radio City Music Hall. By registering for a "Madagascar Live" passport for a chance to win at www.MADlive.com, the family will win airfare, hotel, a meet and greet with the "Madagascar Live" characters and a VIP backstage tour. Rules and restrictions can be found at www.madlive.com.

Widely successful across audiences of all ages, the original story will be brought to new life in the 90-minute stage show that will transport audience members from the Central Park Zoo to the wild of Madagascar. In addition to featuring everyone's favorite characters, "Madagascar Live" takes the audience on an action packed adventure with imaginative set, costume and puppet design, magnificent singing and dancing and the hit song "Move It, Move" for an experience the entire family will enjoy.

"We are thrilled to have assembled such an exceptional crew of artists, storytellers and musicians to capture the adventure and humor of DreamWorks Animation's Madagascar movies in an inventive live entertainment experience for the whole family," said Bill Damaschke, President of DreamWorks Theatricals. "We look forward to working alongside the talented team at Broadway Across America to bring the magical setting of Madagascar to life in fun and engaging ways that have never been done before."

"We are tremendously excited about our new partnership with DreamWorks and look forward to creating an innovative and entertaining new live tour based on its popular Madagascar film series," added John Gore, CEO, Broadway Across America. "The production's creative team is top notch, and we look forward to bringing the humor, colorful visual style and heartfelt story of the original film to life on stage for audiences of all ages to enjoy."

"Madagascar Live" is being directed by Gip Hoppe, director of "Dora the Explorer Live" who has worked with Broadway Across America and Nickelodeon on other family friendly live touring productions including: "Blue's Clues Live," "Dora's Pirate Adventure" and "Go, Diego, Go Live!" Hoppe also wrote and directed the Broadway play "Jackie: An American Life" and is a founding member and co-artistic director of the Wellfleet Harbor Actor's Theatre.

The show is being written by Kevin Del Aguila, who received a Drama Desk Award nomination as book writer of the Off-Broadway hit "Alter Boyz" and has also written the musical adaptations of the children's books "Lilly's Big Day" and "Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type."

Tony Award-winner David Gallo, whose Broadway credits include "Memphis," "Xanadu," "The Drowsy Chaperone," "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," and "Thoroughly Modern Millie," and whose touring show credits include "Dora The Explorer Live" and "Blue's Clues Live," serves as the show's Scenic Designer.

The show will feature costume design by Tony Award-winning Gregg Barnes, whose Broadway credits include "Legally Blonde," "Flower Drum Song," "The Drowsy Chaperone," "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" and whose touring show credits include "Disney On Ice - Princess Classics," "Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular," "Winnie The Pooh" and Madison Square Garden's "The Wizard of Oz."

Joel Someillan and George Noriega are serving as the show's composers and lyricists. Joel and George have worked with several popular artists including Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin and Mandy Moore and between them have amassed a collection of gold and platinum records and won multiple Grammys. They have also composed music for Nickelodeon's "Dora the Explorer" and "Go, Diego, Go" television shows and the "Go, Diego, Go Live!" touring stage show.

For more information and on-sale dates for "Madagascar Live," visit www.madlive.com.