Doodlebops concert combines music and fun


By RYAN REYNOLDS, Features editor 464-7686 or reynoldsr@courierpress.com
Thursday, March 15, 2007

See a void and fill it.

It's a business strategy as useful in Hollywood as anywhere else in the commercial world.

That's what happened with "The Doodlebops," a Disney Channel kids' show that features three strangely dressed actors who play instruments, dance and use their brains to work through problems.

Today, the Doddlebops will be in Evansville for live shows at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at The Centre.

Chad McNamara, who plays Rooney Doodle (the blue one), said the show gives television viewers something the medium had lacked for a while.

"TV lacked what TV had for kids 20 years ago," said McNamara. "We used to have musical television like 'The Monkees,' but that all went away. Those shows didn't exist anymore."

McNamara will bring his electric guitar to the stage tonight along with Deedee Doodle (Lisa Lennox) and Moe Doodle (Jonathan Wexler) for what he says will be "a rock concert atmosphere."

"Everyone remembers what their first rock concert was like," said McNamara, a native Canadian who also has appeared on a touring group for "Mamma Mia!"..."But most kids don't get to go to rock concerts until they are teenagers. Why should they wait that long?"

So the Doodlebops perform a child-friendly version of such a show, with confetti cannons, backup dancers and a big opening number. Their music is influenced by everything from Top 40 songs to 1970s-era pop funk.

The show — which doesn't closely follow a script and can run anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours — "is a good place to come if you want your kids to sleep good (tonight)," McNamara said.

"It's interactive. We want them to get up and dance around and use their energy."

Parents likely will have a good time, too, McNamara said.


http://www.courierpress.com/news/2007/mar/...-music-and-fun/