From the Screen to the Stage, Bluey’s Big Play Delights Families at Kravis Center.

June 22nd, 2024

Being a father of three young kids, I’ve watched every form of children’s programming. I’ve endured daily through the annoying Mrs. Rachel, Teletubbies and Elmo. Made it through the mind-erasing drones of Cocomelon, Wiggles and Baby Shark, but the one show I’ve enjoyed watching explicitly and that’s Bluey. 

I’ve never laughed more and been more amazed. then by their crafty and original writing. Each episode brings something new, exciting and relatable, not just to kids, but their parents as well. 

Bluey is an animated show that came from Australia in 2018. It focuses around a family of four (Mom, Dad, Bingo and Bluey) with many other wonderful characters as well. The show is so beloved that last year in 2023, it was the second most streamed show with an incredible 43.9 billion minutes of viewing time. 

Being so vastly popular, Bluey was adapted into a live stage performance, Bluey’s Big Play. The show didn’t just relive clips from previous episodes, but rather was given new music from Joff Bush and a new story by Joe Brumm. Very reminiscent of the show Seinfeld, which was coined as a hilarious show about nothing, this show was about getting dad off of his bean bag. 

The Kravis Center hosted Bluey’s Big Play and it was packed as usual. For over an hour kids were hootin and hollering as the larger-than-life characters of Bluey took over the stage. The audience really got into the show when Chattermax (my favorite character) went on stage with his uncontrollable hyper behavior. In every row children raised up colorful pattern changing lights to signal his arrival. 

The other characters that stole the show were Bluey and Bingo playing out the infamous Janet and Rita. They drove a golf cart repeatedly over their dad while shouting out the already legendary line, “Here comes the grannies!” 

The live show ended in a completely epic fashion. As the family began playing their notable game ‘Keepy Uppy’ with a balloon, the entire Kravis Center Performance Center turned into one giant playground of the game. Giant inflatable balls rolled across the audience and were hit in every direction. Bubbles erupted from above, making all the kids dance in the aisles, trying to catch them. 

The show was absolutely brilliant and every kid, along with their parents, left with smiles and joy. One person might’ve created this show, but now it is loved by countless people all over the earth. Bandit, who is Bluey’s dad, said it best this way, “When you put something beautiful out into the world, it’s no longer yours.”