If you go
* What: “Wild Kratts Live.”* When: 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29; doors open at noon.* Where: Memorial Auditorium, 399 McCallie Ave.* Admission: $27, $37, $47, $59.50, $102 VIP.* Phone: 423-757-5580.* Website: www.tivolichattanooga.com.About “Wild Kratts”Seen daily on PBS Kids, “Wild Kratts” features the brothers on incredible expeditions to meet wild creatures from the far corners of the Earth. Diving into the habitats of these unusual animals with the use of futuristic technology and Creature Power Suits that allow the brothers to take their funny and exciting adventures to where they’ve never gone before.The basic plot of the series is usually to save the animals from various situations, be it villains, general human influence or confusion on a baby animal’s part.Many episodes utilize interaction with “villain” characters to exemplify an animal situation.Others focus on real-world problems, either directly (as seen in “Stuck on Sharks” where the character Gourmand captured a shark for making shark fin soup) or indirectly through allegory (“Build It Beaver” had the beaver’s dam destroyed repeatedly through various means, an allegory for deforestation).Some episodes’ objective is to change the way a creature is often perceived. For instance, creatures such as bats and crocodiles that are usually considered frightening are presented in their own habitat and their true nature is explored.Along the way, viewers learn about the animals and their lives, as the Kratt brothers and the Wild Kratts gang (Aviva, Koki and Jimmy) figure out ways to either right wrongs or to get out of the strange (and always amusing) situations they find themselves in.
The brothers responsible for helping teach youngsters the basics of biology, zoology and ecology through four televised seasons of animal encounters are bringing a live production to Chattanooga on Sunday, Jan. 29.
Chris and Martin Kratt are the human stars of the Emmy-nominated series "Wild Kratts," one of PBS's top-rated shows for kids 2-11. "Wild Kratts Live" continues their adventures onstage.
The show starts with the brothers sharing some wow facts about animals, presented via large-screen multimedia format. Then the Kratts pull on their familiar creature power vests and gloves to begin activating creature powers.
In comical demonstrations from the stage, they show off the amazing abilities of animals such as rhinos and caracals. Then comes a message from sidekicks Koki, Jimmy and Aviva: Zach and his Zachbots are invading the Tortuga, and the villains have stolen one of the Wild Kratts' favorite inventions.
The brothers have to get it back. With amazing animal abilities from their creature power apparel, they are off to confront the bumbling and comical villain, Zach, and his robots.
Of course the Kratt Brothers' technology doesn't always work as planned, which results in hilarious pratfalls and slapstick fun. But the brothers press on and ultimately rescue their favorite invention from Zach's clutches so the animals of the creature world are safe once again.
Allan Sansom, artistic producer and manager of Centrepointe Theatres in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, described a previous show there as "exceptional."
"Chris and Martin Kratt are energetic, engaging and generous performers," he said. "Their love of the animal kingdom is palpable; the kids had a great time being scarlet macaws, howler monkeys and giant otters with them."
Sansom added that he was also impressed with how the Kratts interacted with the kids at the post-show meet-and-greet. "Every child with whom they made contact got their full attention, and there were many."
"Wild Kratts," which debuted in 2011, is the fourth series for the Kratt brothers, following "Kratts Creatures" (1996), "Zooboomafoo" (1999) and "Kratt Brothers: Be The Creature" (2003).
They have been nominated multiple times for Daytime Emmy Awards for Best Writing in a Children's Series.
"Wild Kratts Live" runs about 90 minutes with two 35-minute acts and a 20-minute intermission.