Between The Lions Roadshow Kicks April 30th – Plus Exclusive Lion Interview!

If I can just step back from the pseudo-serious role of film and television critic for a minute, and put forward the somewhat more serious idea that I'm actually a stay-at-home-dad, I've got to tell you that I love Between the Lions.

I want to make sure that as many people as possible know that the Fourth Annual Roadshow of Between the Lions is kicking off April 30th, and believe me, you want to go.

Theo and Leona will be at incredible live performances in Atlanta and Macon, GA; Columbia, SC; and Charlotte, NC. Make sure you check out all the details below, but before we get to that, I got a chance to interview Theo and Leona (seriously) and get their take on the event.

As you might imagine, it was a bit informal, but the lions were very excited about their upcoming tour. If you know the lions (especially Leona), you can probably imagine the conversation was very high-spirited. I asked them for an idea of what to expect from a visit to the Roadshow, and there was too much information to take in. They led me to understand that you get a certain feel of the show from the experience, but it is very interactive. As Theo said, this is not a sit around kind of show.

As a wild time, say the lions, and it's a very open experience, with kids coming on stage to take part in Gawain's Word on The Blending Field, parents getting in on the act, and much more. There will be singing, reading, and familiar faces will be joining the lions for skits. Some of those familiar faces are surprise guests, but Theo may have let slip that the Vowelles and Dixie Chimps could be among the special performances.

Leona, Theo, and the Vowelles sing about the trouble they have with the letter W. The cast of characters appeared live at WGTE studios in Toledo, Ohio on Friday, September 18, 2009. © WGBH / Sirius Thinking

I had to ask what their favorite part of putting on the show was, and Theo told me that it was simply meeting the kids. The library is great, and so is the television show, but getting to be right there with the kids is the best. Leona (and I wish I'd had a tape recorder) quickly chimed in that it was her favorite part as well, adding that she had no idea she had so many fans until being part of previous Roadshows.

I can tell you from first-hand experience that the lions are bursting with excitement to get things underway, and if you have the chance to get to one of the Roadshow dates, you don't want to miss it. Bring your parents along too.

Check out all the information below, and also be sure to tune in to this great show that makes learning fun.

Theo meets a crowd of fans from downtown Detroit child care centers at the Detroit Public Library on Thursday, September 17, 2009. © WGBH / Sirius Thinking

Lions and stories and music, oh my! For nearly ten years, the Emmy® Award-winning PBS KIDS series Between the Lions has given children the tools they need to master key literacy skills. This spring, Between the Lions sets out on its fourth annual Roadshow, continuing its tradition of making learning fun, and traveling to four cities to educate and entertain fans with live, interactive puppet shows.

In celebration of two Emmy wins in 2009 (including an award for "Outstanding Pre-School Children's Series") and the series' upcoming tenth anniversary, the Lions are especially excited to share their love for reading during the Roadshow. And for the first time ever, Theo and his cub Leona will roar into Macon, Georgia, to participate as a "mane" act at the Georgia State Fair, which has provided safe and wholesome family entertainment since it first began in 1846. Between the Lions will also travel to Atlanta, GA; Columbia, SC; and Charlotte, NC, performing at local family-friendly venues.

Markita Moore and her children Kita and George meet Leona, Theo, and Miss Chicken at the Detroit Public Library on Thursday, September 17, 2009. © WGBH / Sirius Thinking

Between the Lions' Roadshow performances are designed to bring the television series to life, encouraging children to read, sing along with the Lions, and recognize words in the world around them. Engaging and animated books such as Is Your Mama a Llama? and Click, Clack, Moo will encourage audience participation, and Aaron Nigel Smith, founder of FUNdamentals of Music and Movement, will be back to join the Roadshow, adding his original award-winning music to the mix.

"We're looking forward to performing at new venues this year, including the iconic Georgia State Fair," says Judy Stoia, Executive Producer of Between the Lions at WGBH Boston. "This is the first time we've been part of such a large statewide event, and doing so will allow us to reach more kids and families."

"Theo and Leona can't wait to take their show on the road and get the opportunity to meet their fans up close, in person. As always, the Lions will offer a roaring good time for kids and parents alike with entertaining sing-alongs, stories, and more," adds Chris Cerf, Executive Producer for Sirius Thinking, a co-producer of the series.

Tour Dates and Venues

Catch Theo and Leona's live performances in Atlanta, GA on Friday, April 30 (venue TBA). Next, they spend five days at the Georgia State Fair in Macon, GA from May 1-5. Finally, the lions travel to Columbia, SC on May 6 and Charlotte, NC from May 7-8 (venues TBA).

Tune in to Between the Lions

Between the Lions airs nationally on PBS KIDS (check your local listings). If you live in one of the areas located on the fourth annual Roadshow tour, you can catch the series on:

-Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) weekdays at 1:00 p.m.

-South Carolina ETV (SCETV) weekdays at 1:30 p.m.

-UNC-TV (North Carolina) Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 12:00 noon

For more information on the series and to view updates to the schedule of tour dates and venues, please visit: pbskids.org/lions.

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About Marc Eastman

Marc Eastman is the owner and operator of Are You Screening? and has been writing film reviews for over a decade, and several branches of the internet's film review world have seen his name. His reviews have brought him personal praise from the director of a major motion picture, and have been used as required reading in a course at a major University. These priceless rewards, along with just bags of cash, keep him from straying from freelance writing. He is also a member of The Broadcast Film Critics Association and The Broadcast Television Journalists Association.

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