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FAMILY
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SURPRISE!
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
L
ady Diva, Royal Bee, Neonlicious and Swag will sashay across the Arizona Federal Theatre stage on October 3, but there’s nothing traditional about this family show. “L.O.L. Surprise! Live — Calling All B.B.’s” is redefining family entertainment by presenting the flamboyant dolls’ characters via hologram. “We were pondering how to render the characters in a live stage environment,” says producer Jonathan Shank. “We were going through our options in recreating these characters. We could have presented them as actors who were dressed up, but that’s not really realistic for families and kids. L.O.L. is a bit more sophisticated of a brand, and by utilizing costumes, characters would
be missing a portion for the audience. L.O.L. has always been known for pushing the boundaries and doing things outside the box and so have I, as a producer.” This is the first touring stage show for “L.O.L. Surprise!” The production will also feature songs, fashion, choreography with an eight-person dance crew, and a DJ to get things started. “They’ll perform the L.O.L. greatest hits that people have come to love over the years,” Shank says. The girls will introduce music from a forthcoming film and soundtrack, too. “It’s really exciting, and the most exciting part is we’re bringing the characters to life in this really amazing hologram format. It’s the first time it’s been used in a family entertainment show.” L.O.L. videos have been viewed on YouTube over 15 billion times, making it
L.O.L.’s four divas preparing to debut their stage show one of the world’s most popular brands. “It’s such a fun brand and it’s exciting to bring these characters to life,” he says. “It’s such an exciting job and really a fun production. It’s quite the spectacle.” Shank says kids — and their adult guests — will enjoy the wardrobes, the visuals, content and favorite L.O.L. environments. “For most of these kids, it’s their first concert experience,” he adds. “It’s multisensory and it will really be the most amazing thing they’ve ever experienced to date.” Because of the brand’s exponential growth, Shank says this was the perfect time to bring L.O.L. to the stage. “These dolls have taken the world by storm,” adds Shank, who was in discussions about L.O.L. since 2018. “The popularity has risen throughout the last couple of years. I think it’s really
fun to be able to have the ability to bring these characters to life. “I think there is an element of surprise, no pun intended, to the brand that all children and kids are attracted to. Also, the distinct characters and characterizations and traits each has is unique and appealing. I think kids can have imagination to bring these characters to life in their own homes. They’re already so animated in their doll form, that this was the next step.”
“L.O.L. Surprise! Live — Calling All B.B.’s” WHEN: 4 p.m. Sunday, October 3 WHERE: Arizona Federal Theatre, 400 W. Washington Street, Phoenix COST: Tickets start at $34 INFO: arizonafederaltheatre.com
