Iconic Strawberry Shortcake Takes Her Sweetness on the Road to Theaters across North America with Launch of First Live Show

NEW YORK, Jan. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Everyone's berry best friend, Strawberry Shortcake, made her North American theatrical debut in Koba Entertainment's all-new musical production, Strawberry Shortcake: Follow Your Berry Own Beat (www.strawberryshortcakeontour.com). Beginning January 13, Strawberry Shortcake: Follow Your Berry Own Beat will travel to 39 cities throughout the U.S. and Canada including New York, Los Angeles, Vancouver and Toronto.

The live show was written, choreographed and directed by Koba's Artistic Director, and theater veteran, Patti Caplette. Lorelei Bachman co-wrote original songs with her rock legend father Randy Bachman (The Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive) that are guaranteed to have families dancing in the aisles. Strawberry Shortcake, a favorite of little girls and moms alike for over 30 years, will be played onstage by Toronto native Amelia Sirianni.

The production also brings to life her best friends Orange Blossom, Lemon Meringue, Blueberry Muffin, Raspberry Torte, Plum Pudding, and Cherry Jam and features original and fan favorite songs from the hit TV show, "Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures," currently airing on The Hub network in the U.S. The musical adventure takes audiences to the whimsical land of Berry Bitty City where the whole town is buzzing with anticipation for the Glitzy Glaze Talent Show.

"Strawberry Shortcake has been a part of children's lives for decades," says Caplette. "This show is the first time families will be able to see the world's most famous little girl live on stage."

"We are excited to bring Strawberry Shortcake to life in an exciting new stage production that showcases her berry bubbly personality and musical talent while inspiring young girls to do big things," said Lindsay Martinez, director of licensing and business development for American Greetings Properties, the global rights holder for the Strawberry Shortcake brand.

Before the girls of Berry Bitty City hit the stage, theatergoers will warm up their singing voices and stretch their dancing muscles with the touring cast of the Doodlebops.  Responding to calls from their legions of clamoring fans, Rooney, Moe and Dee Dee Doodle take to the stage in a live concert performance that will get the whole audience movin' and groovin'.  

North American Tour Dates
January 13 – Winnipeg, MB – Pantages Playhouse (1:00pm)
January 15 – Saskatoon, SK – TCU Place (6:30pm)
January 16 – Prince Albert, SK – E.A. Rawlinson Centre for the Arts (6:30pm)
January 17 – Regina, SK –Conexus Arts Centre (6:30pm)
January 19 – Edmonton, AB – Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium (1:00pm)
January 20 – Calgary, AB – Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium (1:00pm)
January 21 – Medicine Hat, AB – Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre (6:30pm)
January 23 – Kelowna, BC – Kelowna Community Theatre (6:30pm)
January 25 – Surrey, BC – Bell Centre for Performing Arts (6:30pm)
January 26 – Vancouver, BC – The Centre for the Performing Arts (1:00pm)
February 2 – Los Angeles, LA – Club Nokia (4:00pm)
February 7 – Jacksonville, FL - Florida Theater (6:00pm)
February 8 – Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall (6:00pm)
February 9 - Coral Springs, FL - Coral Springs Center for the Arts (1:00pm)
February 10 – Melbourne, FL - King Center for Performing Arts (1:00pm)
February 16 - North Tonawanda,  NY - Riviera Theater (1:00pm & 4:00pm)
February 17 – Toronto, ON – Sony Centre for the Performing Arts (1:00pm)
February 19 – Guelph, ON – River Run Centre (6:30pm)
February 20 – London, ON – Centennial Hall (6:30pm)
February 21 – Windsor, ON - Chrysler Theatre (6:30pm)
February 22 – Chatham, ON - Chatham Capitol Theatre (6:30pm)
February 23 – Hamilton, ON - Hamilton Place (1:00pm)
February 24 – Kingston, ON - Grand Theatre (1:00pm)
February 26 – Cornwall, ON - Aultsville Theatre (6:30pm)
February 27 – Ottawa, ON - Centrepointe Theatre (6:30pm)
February 28 – Peterborough, ON - Showplace Performance Theatre (6:30pm)
March 2 - Belleville, ON - Empire Theatre (1:00pm)
March 3 – Oshawa, ON - Regent Theatre (1:00pm)
March 9 – Wallingford, CT - Toyota Presents The Oakdale Theatre ( 1:00pm)
March 10 – Westbury, NY - Theater at Westbury (1:00pm)
March 17 - Grand Rapids, MI - Devos Performance Hall (1:00pm)
March 23 - Tarrytown, NY – Tarrytown Music Hall (1:00pm & 4pm)
March 24 - Freehold, NJ – Encore Event Center iPlay America (11am, 2pm & 5pm)
April 2 - Saint John, NB – Imperial Theatre (6:30pm)
April 4 – Moncton, NB – Capitol Theatre (6:30pm)
April 6 – Fredericton, NB – Playhouse Theatre (1:00pm)
April 7 – Halifax, NS – Rebecca Cohn Auditorium (1:00pm & 4:00pm)

About Strawberry Shortcake and the Doodlebops Live! On Stage
Produced by Koba Entertainment, Strawberry Shortcake: Follow Your Berry Own Beat! with very special guests the Doodlebops is among the company's roster of highly successful theatrical productions, including The Backyardigans: Quest for the Extra Ordinary Aliens and Max & Ruby in the Nutcracker Suite.

About Koba Entertainment
A prominent producer of original family musicals, Koba Entertainment has been captivating audiences throughout the world with celebrated characters from literature, television, and pop culture. Koba Entertainment productions have enchanted people of all ages in more than 165 North American cities, 12 countries and four continents. Production credits for young audiences include: Max and Ruby, The Backyardigans, Toopy and Binoo, The Doodlebops, Caillou and Franklin.  More information can be found at www.koba-entertainment.com.

About American Greetings Corporation
For more than 100 years, American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) has been a creator and manufacturer of innovative social expression products that assist consumers in enhancing their relationships to create happiness, laughter and love.  The Company's major greeting card lines are American Greetings, Carlton Cards, Gibson, Recycled Paper Greetings and Papyrus, and other paper product offerings include DesignWare party goods and American Greetings and Plus Mark gift-wrap and boxed cards.  American Greetings also has one of the largest collections of electronic greetings on the Web, including cards available at AmericanGreetings.com through AG Interactive, Inc. (the Company's online division).  In addition to its product lines, American Greetings also creates and licenses popular character brands through the American Greetings Properties group.  Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, American Greetings generates annual revenue of approximately $1.7 billion, and its products can be found in retail outlets worldwide. For more information on the Company, visit http://corporate.americangreetings.com.

About American Greetings Properties
American Greetings Properties (AGP) is the intellectual property and outbound licensing division of American Greetings Corporation.  Built upon the successful re-launches of Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake licensed products, which have garnered over $5 billion in retail sales worldwide combined since 2002, AGP develops multi-platform campaigns for its properties through digital media, entertainment, marketing and merchandising.  In addition to Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake, AGP's active classic brands include Holly Hobbie and Madballs, as well as new properties Twisted Whiskers, Maryoku Yummy and TinPo.  Children can experience AGP online at www.agkidzone.com. For more information on AGP, visit www.agpbrands.com.

SOURCE American Greetings Corporation