By Phil Dzikiy
Next week in Buffalo, dinosaurs will walk the earth again.
The national touring production of “Walking with Dinosaurs: The Arena Spectacular” comes to HSBC Arena on Wednesday for a five-day, eight-show run.
“Walking with Dinosaurs” is an arena production on an epic scale. It features 15 massive dinosaurs, representing 10 species including the Brachiosaurus (which is measured at 36 feet tall and 56 feet long), Stegosaurus, and of course, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, among others.
The dinosaurs on display during the show can be described as puppets, but that definition seems a bit too basic for these behemoths, considering it takes three people to control each large dinosaur — one driving the dinosaur’s chassis and two other puppeteers operating head, tail, mouth and blinking motions via remote.
Considering the scale of these moving, lifelike dinos, arenas are the only venues capable of housing this unique show, said Nellie Beavers, associate company manager with the production.
It’s tough to define “Walking with Dinosaurs,” but Beavers refers to the production as a “theatrical event.”
“It’s not exactly a kids show, it’s not exactly a concert, though we do have a full score,” Beavers said.
And though children love the show, it’s far from a kids-only affair.
“I think adults have a better time than the kids do,” she said. “A lot of people think it’s only for kids. But honest to goodness, (we) gear our show to people ages 3 to 93.”
The parade of dinosaurs is led by an on-stage “paleontologist,” Huxley, who walks among the dinosaurs and explains what the audience is watching, while describing changes in the earth’s history, through different prehistoric eras.
“We kind of travel with him through the years,” Beavers said.
But back to the dinosaurs. Made mainly out of fabric and foam and run by numerous microprocessors, the big beasts weigh in at more than 3,000 pounds each. No wonder why 25 semi trucks are needed to transport the dinos from city to city.
“It’s really a technical feat,” Beavers said. “It’s a $20 million show. Each dinosaur cost $1 million to put together. One year to make dinosaurs.”
The show was in the making for six years while the creators figured out how to build the dinosaurs, according to Beavers.
“Walking with Dinosaurs” started touring in Australia in 2007 and the production starts a European tour on July 2. It was inspired by (and adapted from) a 1999 BBC miniseries.
For those still skeptical as to how entertaining this dino-show can be, Beavers urges people not to worry.
“It’s really an amazing show,” she said. “This show is unlike anything you have ever seen and anything you will see after it. Everybody enjoys it. Everybody.”
Night & Day
Related Photos
-
T. Rex and the gang will roam the HSBC Arena floor next week. Contributed Photo
'Walking with Dinosaurs' in Buffalo
- Night & Day
-
-
Hard Rock series lineup, other Old Falls Street activities announced
Canadian rock legends The Guess Who and Disco-era groovers KC and the Sunshine Band will headline the Hard Rock Cafe concert series on Old Falls Street this summer.
-
Artpark releases Tuesday, Wednesday concert schedules
While it's not free anymore, Artpark's Tuesday in the Park concert series offers a little something for everyone this year.
Among the acts are Sheryl Crow, Sublime, Heart, Yes and Huey Lewis & The News.
-
Lockport canal concert lineup announced
This year's Canal Concert Series features something old, something new, and some things that are blue, including a new major sponsor.
-
Cat tales - NACC comedy features woman who takes in stray cats
A comedy about a woman who takes in stray cats is making audiences laugh at the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center in Niagara Falls.
-
Warming up for the Main Street Music & Art Festival
People love free samples. So organizers of the second annual Niagara Falls Music & Art Festival are giving away musical tastes of the upcoming event by holding preview parties throughout the city, including on Thursday.
-
Wine on Third to show Jennifer Lee Morrow works
The artwork of Jennifer Lee Morrow begins a one-month engagement at Wine On Third on May 17 with an opening reception from to 6 to 9 p.m.
-
'Beyond the Barrel' looking for artists
The Niagara Arts and Cultural Center is once again hosting its Beyond the Barrel exhibit at the Pine Avenue facility — but it needs a few more artists for the show.
-
Jazz and Pasta mixes food and fundraising
Melissa Morinello remembers working the information booth at last August's Lewiston Jazz Festival when she got a sense of how big the event was getting.
-
Buffalo Niagara Film Festival reaches into Falls for finale
“Kaziah the Goat Woman” a film about an artist who has pledged to paint all of the fallen soldiers of the Iraq and Afghanistan war, will close the Buffalo Niagara Film Festival during awards ceremonies at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Rapids Theatre on Main Street, Niagara Falls.
-
Red Green: A one-man show by the one man who can do it
Get ready for an evening with an old friend, one who can tell you a few things about the lost art of being a man, offer some gentle lessons in the catch-all category of coping and offer some advice on the uses of the world’s most valuable commodity, duct tape.
- More Night & Day Headlines
-
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
