Bluey’s Big Play, the traveling stage adaptation of the wildly popular Australian television series, Bluey, is coming to University Park. Audience members will enjoy their favorite characters brought to life in the form of puppets. Written by Bluey creator, Joe Brumm, the show tells an original story: “When Dad feels like a little bit of Sunday afternoon time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans. Join them as they pull out all of the games and cleverness at their disposal to get Dad off that bean bag.” The show also features new music created by Blue composer, Joff Bush.

Bluey’s Big Play comes to the Eisenhower Auditorium on Thursday, September 7 at 6:30 PM

Actor Aarod Vawser, who plays the role of Bandit—father of Bluey and Bingo, spoke exclusively with HappyValley.com to explain what the performance is all about. “It takes elements from the show, and plot points from the show, but essentially the crux of it is about family and love. It’s about play and imagination and how to play with kids in an imaginative way without buying toys and stuff that costs a lot of money. You can just grab an asparagus off the kitchen table and make that into a wand.”

Vawser said it’s a show that appeals to adults as much as it does kids. Parents are often surprised how much they themselves enjoy the show, “We meet a lot of kids and adults after the shows, and the parents come up to me and say, ‘Oh, I loved that! I loved that more than my kids.’” The entire performance is only 50 minutes long, so it’s easy for audience members to stay engaged. Vawser explained, “There’s not really a moment where the energy drops and the kids tune out; it’s a very well-constructed play.”

Aarod Vawser, who plays Bandit in Bluey’s Big Play has been part of nearly 300 performances so far.

One might think that after three years and nearly 300 shows, things might be getting old, but Vawser still loves being part of the production. “I've been doing it for so long now but I still feel joy when I perform and I’m filled with happiness and laughter. And there’s a moment at the end that still makes me well up.” Parts of the show involve audience participation where the characters (puppets) interact with the audience.“They reach out to the audience and the kids love that. There’s a moment in the middle of the show when Bandit gets the kids to copy him. And they all get up out of their seats and they’re doing the dance moves and the lights in the theatre come on, and they are all boogieing.,”he said. “Man, that gets me every time.”.

Bluey’s Big Play is coming to Eisenhower Auditorium on Thursday, September 7 at 6:30 PM. Orchestra and Grand Tier tickets are $48. Balcony seats are $35. Tickets are $15 for Penn State students. American Sign Language translation will be provided for this performance. Contact the Arts Ticket Center via email at artstix@psu.edu or by calling 814-863‑0255 to discuss ASL seating preferences.