.com This rousing stage version of Barney won a Performance magazine poll award for its 1997 tour, and the tape version is equally successful. The big surprise of the title is a party honoring BJ's 7th birthday. After several songs, the kids decide to decorate the tree house, while Barney, BJ, and Baby Bop climb into the Barney-mobile and head for Professor Tinkerputt's toy shop. The elaborate toy shop set obviously delights the young audience as it features giant turning gears and adult-sized clowns and robots (hence the song "We Are Little Robots"). In the second act, the dino trio makes it back to the tree house via balloon and many a song. Back on terra firma, they are joined by party guests Humpty Dumpty, Old King Cole, Mother Goose and her gander, Clarence--just the excuse for a nursery rhyme medley. BJ gets the red scooter of his dreams, and the kids in the audience--and at home--get to sing "Happy Birthday." The stage version of Barney is less schmaltzy than the TV version, making it of greater interest to the older members of the recommended audience of ages 1 to 8. Who knows? You may even give it a grudging glance or two. --Kimberly Heinrichs
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