feature article - november 2007

Only largest arenas can hold BBC-based spectacular

Bradley Center hosts “Walking with Dinosaurs”

AUSTRALIA is sending the U.S. a theatrical event that can only be held in the nation’s largest arenas, and Milwaukee’s Bradley Center is its first stop December 5-9.

Based on an award-winning BBC television series, “Walking With Dinosaurs – The Live Experience” played for 10 sold-out weeks in five cities in Australia before its North American tour was fast tracked. Variety magazine calls the show “a truly spectacular spectacular…everything a dino-phile could want.”

Described as “Edu-tainment,” the show is designed to combine an educational experience with a Broadway-style theatrical show. Developed by an international team of stage, screen and television veterans, “Walking with Dinosaurs” boasts an award-winning soundtrack, colorful set design, a thoroughly entertaining story and extraordinary creature design.

“Of the many family highlights this coming season, none will outshine or out-roar the snarling ‘live’ dinosaurs that will cavort at the Bradley Center,” says Steve Costello, Bradley Center president and CEO. “This is the closest you’ll ever get to experiencing what it was like when dinosaurs walked and ruled the earth.”

Broadway director Scott Faris led the creative team that developed the production. Faris directed Michael Crawford in EFX at MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, at the time the biggest stage production ever conceived. His Broadway credits include Les Miserables, Cabaret, Cats and the current national touring company of Sweet Charity.

“We take the audience on a journey back in time and show them how the dinosaurs might have actually looked in their prime – huge, sometimes frightening, sometimes comical monsters that fought for survival every day of their lives,” says Faris. “Our dinosaurs move exactly like they are real with all the roars, snorts and excitement that go with it. The realism is mind blowing!”

The show theatrically depicts the dinosaurs’ evolution. Oceans form, volcanoes erupt, a forest catches fire – all leading to the massive comet, which struck the earth and forced the extinction of the dinosaurs. Ten species are represented from the entire 200-million-year reign of the dinosaurs. The largest is the Brachiosaurus, 45 feet tall and 75 feet from nose to tail. It took a team of 50 engineers, fabricators, skin makers, artists, painters and animatronic experts a year to build the original production.

Presented in Milwaukee by Time-Warner Cable, “Walking with Dinosaurs” will be performed seven times at the Bradley Center, 1001 N. Fourth St. Performances are set for 7 p.m. Dec. 5, 6, 7 and 8; 10:30 a.m. Dec. 7; 3 p.m. Dec. 8 and 1 p.m. Dec. 9. Tickets can be purchased at the Bradley Center Ticket Office or through Ticketmaster at 414-276-4545 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For groups, call 414-227-0449.