Mattel and Live Nation have announced that actress Erin Elizabeth Coors has been cast as the lead role of Barbie in the elaborate stage production of Barbie Live in Fairytopia. Coors, a Cincinnati, Ohio-native, will bring Barbie to life onstage for the first time ever in a touring live, theatrical stage show coming to Chicago's Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 East Congress Parkway, April 11 – 16.
"A Kent State University graduate with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre, Coors has a degree in voice and dance with an emphasis on acting. Performing since the eighth grade, the highly experienced actress is a mezzo-soprano and has a strong commitment to entertaining. A self-proclaimed 'Barbie fan,' Coors has a collection of Barbie dolls stored at home and she has a wealth of knowledge about Barbie doll's history and trivia," according to press notes.
"Erin is a truly gifted actress - she has a beautiful voice, is a very experienced dancer and she has a magnetic stage persona that perfectly brings Barbie to life," said director Eric Schaeffer. "We are incredibly lucky to have her for the live show, and I know audiences will be dazzled by her performance."
The first leg of the Barbie Live in Fairytopia tour will kick off in
Columbus, Ohio, at the Palace Theatre on April 1, 2006, and continue on
to Chicago as well as almost 80 cities within North America. Top markets scheduled to date
include Los Angeles, Boston, Detroit and Washington, D.C. Each venue will seat approximately
1,500 - 3,000 people. Ticket prices will vary by venue but average $22
to $25.
Inspired by the highly successful March 2005 direct-to-video movie BarbieTM Fairytopia, "the magical theatrical production will enchant family audiences with beautiful costumes, exquisite backdrops and special effects - including awe-inspiring flying fairies." Schaeffer (
Putting It Together) and Tony-nominated costume designer Gregg Barnes lead th production team. The show will also include a musical score featuring original songs.
The wonderful world of Fairytopia comes to life onstage for the first time ever in
Barbie Live in Fairytopia. "Barbie, starring as Elina, a beautiful flower fairy who longs to have wings, embarks on a musical adventure to save her beloved fairy land. Traveling on the back of a colorful butterfly to magical places, she meets new people who test her courage and teach her the value of true friendship. Families will be enchanted by Barbie and all of her friends form the movie as they sing, dance and fly through the air!"
Barbie Live in Fairytopia will play the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 East Congress Parkway, from April 11th – 16th. The performance schedule is as follows: Tuesday at 7 p.m.; Wednesday at 2 p.m.; Thursday and Friday at 11 a.m., 2 & 7 p.m.; Saturday at 11 a.m.; 2 & 5 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 p.m.
Tickets for
Barbie Live in Fairytopia range in price from $10 to $49.50 and are available at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University Box Office (50 East Congress Parkway), Broadway In
Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St. and 151 W. Randolph St.), through the Broadway In
Chicago Ticket Line at (312) 902-1400, at all Ticketmaster ticket centers (including all Carson Pirie Scott stores, Tower Records, Hot Tix, select Coconuts and fye stores) or online at ticketmaster.com. Groups of 10 or more can receive a discount by calling (312) 977-1710.
For more information, go to
www.BroadwayInChicago.com. To learn more about the national tour of Barbie Live in Fairytopia, visit
www.barbielive.com.
