DREAMWORKS’ HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON LIVE SPECTACULAR

DREAMWORKS’ HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON LIVE
SPECTACULAR
LAUNCHES IN NORTH AMERICA THIS SUMMER!
High-Flying, Fire-Breathing Dragons Embark on Worldwide
Tour
On the Heels of Smash Hit Run in Australia & New Zealand
Tickets on Sale May 11, 2012
______________________________________________________________
New York, NY – May 10, 2012 – This summer, audiences across North America
will experience the magic of fire-breathing dragons that soar through arena
skies in DREAMWORKS’ HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON LIVE SPECTACULAR.
DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA), Global Creatures and S2BN
Entertainment today announced HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON LIVE
SPECTACULAR will embark on a worldwide tour following its critically-acclaimed
debut in Australia and New Zealand. The tour will be produced by RZO Dragon
Productions to deliver 23 dragons, some with wingspans of up to 46 feet,
Viking warriors and world-class circus artists and acrobats, to perform against
a state-of-the-art, wall-to-floor immersive projection measuring more than
20,000 square feet.
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON LIVE SPECTACULAR was created by DreamWorks
Animation, producers of the Academy Award®-nominated film, How to Train
Your Dragon, which grossed approximately $500 million at the worldwide box
office and opened as the #1 film in over 30 countries and Global Creatures, the
masterminds behind the international phenomenon Walking with Dinosaurs, the
#1 grossing world tour of 2010. HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON LIVE
SPECTACULAR’s worldwide tour is exclusively promoted by S2BN Entertainment
and delivers some of the most ambitious theatrical technology to ever tour the
arena.
The North American tour launches with a one-week engagement in WilkesBarre, PA, on June 27th. The tour schedule can be found at
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www.dreamworksdragonslive.com with tickets on sale to the general public
beginning on Friday, May 11. Ticket prices range from a low of $24.50 to a high
of $89.50, with an average ticket price of $58.00. A limited number of premium
seats and special VIP ticket experiences and family packages are also available.
Catch a sneak peek of HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON LIVE SPECTACULAR on
the TODAY Show airing May 11 and www.today.com.
The live production rolls fire-breathing action, epic adventure and heartfelt
laughter into an original captivating story set in the mythical world of Vikings
and wild dragons. Based on the book by Cressida Cowell, it centers on Hiccup,
a Viking teenager who doesn’t fit in with his tribe’s longstanding tradition of
heroic dragon slayers. Hiccup’s world is turned upside down when he
encounters a dragon that challenges him and his fellow Vikings to see the world
from an entirely different point of view. The story presents a vision so grand in
scale that only DreamWorks Animation and Global Creatures could bring How to
Train Your Dragon to life in front of a live audience.
“In our film, audiences around the world were transported to the mythical world
of Vikings and dragons… and now, we are excited to immerse them in a oneof-a-kind live event in HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON LIVE SPECTACULAR,” said
Jeffrey Katzenberg, Chief Executive Officer of DreamWorks Animation. “The
innovative team at Global Creatures and the creative storytellers at DreamWorks
Animation have done an inspired job in every imaginable way to present this
story on an unprecedented scale that will take global audiences to
unforgettable new heights. We are happy to be working with Michael Cohl and
his team at S2BN Entertainment to promote and take this show around the
world.”
Global Creatures Chief Executive Officer Carmen Pavlovic added, “With
DreamWorks we have forged a relationship with one of the world’s leading
entertainment companies. The collaboration fuses our own world-class
technology with the vision and dedication of a company renowned for its
cutting-edge creativity and storytelling skill. We are excited to expand the
boundaries of public expectation by creating a show that combines dynamic
creatures, world class performers and incredible staging to not only thrill and
intrigue, but to engage audiences on an emotional level as well.”
Michael Cohl is the founder and chairman of S2BN Entertainment, global
promoter for HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON LIVE SPECTACULAR, and serves as
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lead producer of the Broadway’s smash hit Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. Cohl
commented, “HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON LIVE SPECTACULAR is the next
logical step for me after Spider-Man: to be back in arenas where I’ve always
been, and where the most exciting things happen. We are thrilled to be setting
a new gold standard for live family entertainment while utilizing the full scope
and scale of the arena floor and fly space. The show delivers cutting-edge
production values which tell an incredible story and create an unforgettable and
magical experience. This show will mesmerize children and parents alike.”
“A visual and technical work of mind-boggling
proportions.” – Australian Stage
Sponsored by HP, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON LIVE SPECTACULAR is brought
to life through state-of-the-art technology unlike anything ever seen before in
a live event experience. Through DreamWorks Animation’s ongoing strategic
relationship with HP, HP technology is part of the digital backbone for the
production, providing family audiences across the globe with the most
captivating live entertainment possible.
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON LIVE SPECTACULAR breaks every rule of
theatrical entertainment to fully immerse audiences into the show in ways that
have not been attempted before. Barely contained within the arena, HOW TO
TRAIN YOUR DRAGON LIVE SPECTACULAR utilizes the full venue, maximizing
every dimension of the performance space to transport audiences into a
mythical world of fire-breathing dragons who soar overhead at great speeds.
The state-of-the-art animatronic technology and large-scale cinematic
projections interact seamlessly with the live actors, who bring DreamWorks
Animation’s heart-warming story to life through theatrical storytelling, martial
arts and acrobatics.
“Nothing less than sensational.” – Aussietheater.com
Young Hollywood actor Riley Miner, an accomplished dancer and musical
theater performer, will play the lead role of Hiccup. Joining Miner to share the
role of Hiccup is Rarmian Newton, who won a Helpmann Award for his
performance in the Australian production of Billy Elliot The Musical
(2008). American stunt performer Gemma Nguyen, a third degree Black Belt
and six-time world champion in Tae Kwon Do, plays Astrid. Sharing the role of
Astrid is 19-year-old Queenslander Sarah McCreanor who has starred in her
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own comedic productions and performed in a range of musicals and comedy
shows. Stalwart Australian actor Robert Morgan plays Stoick, Hiccup’s father
and the rough and ready old-school chieftain of the brawny Viking tribe. American Will Watkins, an accomplished fencer, will star as Gobber; French
Kung Fu champion and stuntman Godefroy Ryckewaert plays Snotlout and
Texan hip-hop dancer and rapper Dexter Mayfield will play Fishlegs. Australian
hip-hop and break-dancer Virackhaly Ngeth has been cast as Ruffnut and
Sydney break-dancer Frace Luke Mercado, a founding member of SKB (Street
Kulture Breakers), as Tuffnut.
The cast of performers is assisted by an international technical team who has
collectively created many of the world’s most memorable spectacles. The team
is led by award-winning director Nigel Jamieson, who won the 2011 Helpmann
Award as Best Director for his production of Opera Australia’s La Fanciulla del
West, as well as production designer Peter England and costume / projection
designer Dan Potra. The dragons themselves are created by Sonny Tilders
and his team at The Creature Technology Company, whose work includes
Walking With Dinosaurs – the Arena Spectacular. The cast of 23 dragons pays
homage to all of the favorites from the DreamWorks Animation film, including
the single largest animatronic creature ever made by The Creature Technology
Company. The stunning score features compositions from Icelandic singersongwriter Jonsi from Sigur Ros and Oscar-nominated British film composer
John Powell, who created the original score for the feature film.
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON LIVE SPECTACULAR TOUR SCHEDULE
6/27 - 7/1
Wilkes-Barre, PA
7/4– 7/8
7/11 – 7/15
7/19 – 7/22
7/25 – 7/29
8/1 – 8/5
8/8 – 8/12
8/15 – 8/19
8/22 – 8/26
London, ON
Worcester, MA
Washington, DC
Chicago, IL
Uniondale, NY
Toronto, ON
Montreal, QC
Pittsburgh, PA
9/5 – 9/9
Cleveland, OH
Mohegan Sun Arena
at Casey Plaza
John Labatt Centre
DCU Center
Verizon Center
United Center
Nassau Coliseum
Air Canada Centre
Bell Centre
CONSOL Energy
Center
Quicken Loans Arena
On Sale 5/11
On
On
On
On
On
On
On
On
Sale
Sale
Sale
Sale
Sale
Sale
Sale
Sale
5/12
5/11
5/11
5/11
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
On Sale TBD
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9/12 – 9/16
9/19 – 9/23
9/26– 9/30
10/3 – 10/7
10/10 – 10/14
Philadelphia, PA
Wells Fargo Center
Buffalo, NY
First Niagara Center
East Rutherford, NJ IZOD Center
Albany, NY
Times Union Center
Columbus, OH
Jerome Schottenstein
Center
Detroit, MI
Joe Louis Arena
Milwaukee, WI
Bradley Center
Saskatoon, SK
Credit Union Centre
Winnipeg, MB
MTS Centre
Seattle, WA
KeyArena at Seattle
Center
San Diego, CA
Valley View Casino
Center
Oakland, CA
Oracle Arena
Fresno, CA
Save Mart Center
San Jose, CA
HP Pavilion at San
Jose
On
On
On
On
On
Sale
Sale
Sale
Sale
Sale
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
On
On
On
On
On
Sale
Sale
Sale
Sale
Sale
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
2013
1/2 - 1/6
Sacramento, CA
On Sale TBD
1/9 – 1/13
Salt Lake City, UT
1/16 – 1/20
1/23 - 1/27
1/30 – 2/3
Anaheim, CA
Bakersfield, CA
Spokane, WA
10/17
10/24
10/31
11/21
11/29
–
–
–
–
–
10/21
10/28
11/4
11/25
12/2
12/5 – 12/9
12/12 – 12/16
12/19 – 12/23
12/26 – 12/30
Power Balance
Pavilion
Energy Solutions
Arena
Honda Center
Rabobank Arena
Spokane Arena
On Sale TBD
On Sale TBD
On Sale TBD
On Sale TBD
On Sale TBD
On Sale TBD
On Sale TBD
*** More cities to be added at a later date ***
Visit: www.dreamworksdragonslive.com
FOOTAGE and IMAGES available NOW at:
URL - https://dragons.sharefile.com/
Email - [email protected]
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Password - dragon$1
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON LIVE SPECTACULAR© 2012 DREAMWORKS
ANIMATION LLC.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
DREAMWORKS ANIMATION
DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG
animated feature films, television specials and series, live entertainment
properties and online virtual worlds, meant for audiences around the world.
DreamWorks Animation is the largest animation studio in the world and has
released 23 animated feature films, which have enjoyed both critical and
commercial successes. These include the franchise properties of Shrek,
Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon. DreamWorks
Animation became the first studio to produce all of its feature films in 3D and
in 2010 became the first Company to release three CG feature films in 3D in a
single year. The Company has been named one of the “100 Best Companies to
Work For” by FORTUNE® Magazine for four consecutive years. In 2012,
DreamWorks Animation ranks #14 on the list. DreamWorks Theatricals was
established by DreamWorks Animation in 2007 to develop and produce live
stage and arena show productions inspired by the Company’s franchise
properties. Current productions in development – including How To Train Your
Dragon Live Spectacular and Kung Fu Panda Arena Spectacular– are one-of-akind, global tours and immersive entertainment experiences for the whole
family. DreamWorks Theatricals productions are guided by much of the creative
leadership team that develops the studio’s award-winning feature films.
GLOBAL CREATURES
Global Creatures is an international entertainment group that develops new and
exciting theatrical productions to take to audiences around the world. The
animatronics arm, The Creature Technology Company, invents and deploys the
latest in animatronic design. Their hugely successful production Walking with
Dinosaurs – The Arena Spectacular, based on the award winning BBC TV series,
represents a new entertainment genre all on its own. The production is a
spectacle of unprecedented size and quality, which captivates young and old
alike. The Walking with Dinosaurs tour was the number one tour worldwide in
2010. Global Creatures is producing, with the National Theatre of Great Britain,
the Australian production of the Tony Award-winning play WAR HORSE, opening
in December 2012. The company will stage the World Premiere of King Kong,
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produced in co-operation with the estate of “Kong” creator Merian C. Cooper, in
Melbourne in June 2013, and they have formed a partnership with Bazmark (the
multi-media company founded and owned by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine
Martin) to produce a stage musical adaptation of the first movie of Baz
Luhrmann’s ground-breaking Red Curtain Trilogy, Strictly Ballroom.
S2BN ENTERTAINMENT
S2BN is an entertainment company specializing in the production of family
oriented shows for theatres and arenas. Currently, S2BN has three successful
shows in operation, the record breaking smash hit Spider-Man: Turn Off the
Dark on Broadway, Rock of Ages now in its 4th year on Broadway, recently
opened in London, touring throughout North America and on June 1st, 2012 a
major Warner Brother Picture Release, and thirdly, Fuerza Bruta, also in its 5th
year in New York and touring throughout the world. For 30+ years S2BN’s
leadership have been dominant and innovative forces in the international
concert touring industry, working in exclusive partnerships with renowned,
global artist such as The Rolling Stones, Barbra Streisand, U2 and Pink Floyd
amongst many others. In that time they have also created and/or promoted a
wide range of unique family entertainment attractions in tennis, figure skating,
motorsports, boxing and wrestling as well as theatre, opera and symphony.
RZO DRAGON PRODUCTIONS
The RZO Companies group was formed on July 1, 1988 through the merger of
Sound Advice, Inc. and Joseph Rascoff & Company, Inc. by their principals
William Zysblat and Joseph Rascoff, respectively. For over twenty-five years,
RZO and its predecessor organizations have been actively involved in the music
business as tour producers and full-service business managers. RZO has
represented such illustrious music artists as Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Sting,
U2, The Police, Luis Miguel, Patti LaBelle, David Byrne and many others. The
Company also represents personalities such as Carson Daly and Iman, along
with the Estates of John Lennon and Ira and George Gershwin.
CONTACTS:
Fran Curtis, Rogers & Cowan, 212/878-5002, [email protected]
Lorraine Osmundsen, Rogers & Cowan, 212/878-5028,
[email protected]
Jenny McGirl, Rogers & Cowan, 212/878-5006, [email protected]
Shannon Olivas, DreamWorks Animation, 818/695-3658,
[email protected]
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