Kids Wanna Rock!
The Doodlebops are the hottest touring act around today --
if you're five years old, writes Kerry Gold.

April 11, 2006
Kerry Gold, The Ottawa Citizen


Following in the tradition of the Teletubbies and the Wiggles, there's a new kids' phenomenon out there and it's none other than a product of the CBC.

The CBC TV musical kids show that is The Doodlebops has taken to the road, with the colourful siblings DeeDee, Rooney and Moe Doodle performing two shows Thursday at Centrepointe Theatre.

Within six months, 52,000 fans will have experienced the show, according to the producer.

For five year olds, the Doodlebops may as well be the Beatles getting off that plane when they first arrived in America. They are nothing short of thrilling. They are Christmas morning, the Easter bunny and birthday cake rolled into one. And they are scream-worthy, as parents will discover when they pack into Centrepointe for an hour-long shriekfest.

And the twist is, the Doodlebops aren't your average gimmicky kids' entertainment act with sock puppets, confetti and clown faces. They put on a rock'n'roll show, with instruments and original songs and their own vocals. With Bus Driver Bob at the wheel, they are the most psychedelic touring act to be found.

And judging from the infectiously catchy songs -- which are flavoured with Motown, funk, pop and rock -- the Doodlebops are respectful of the fact that their audience has grown a lot more sophisticated since the days of Barney.

"I'm always amazed at how 'with it' they are," says Moe. "You'll hear people say, 'It's OK, they're just kids. It'll make sense.' But if it doesn't work, they'll know. They're really smart."

Moe is the orange-coloured Doodle with the shaggy Sonny Bono vest. Moe's the impetuous one. Rooney is inquisitive and DeeDee is the planner. Moe is also loud and likes to breakdance.

"We cross a lot of genres, I feel," adds Moe, in a phone interview from Prince Albert, Sask. "Which is really great for the kids because it exposes them to different styles of music. But I think that the heart of it, I guess we base our music on the great rock '70s and '80s."

When asked questions beyond the scope of the character, Moe gets as fidgety as a kid. The Doodles don't like to go out of character, although Moe will tell me he's from Ontario like his brother and sister. He's also a trained actor and dancer, and he never expected he'd wind up as a kiddie phenomenon.

He also appreciates that the Doodlebops have become a kind of cult phenomenon for the adults.

"I know what you mean," he says. "I hear a lot of people who watch it are in university and stuff. It's kinda cool.

"And the parents love it ... the music is so good that it's not annoying for them to listen to again and again."

The show is the first live children's production mounted by Feldman & Associates. When asked why Feldman's company -- managers for Joni Mitchell and Norah Jones -- would want to get involved in the kids' biz, the answer's simple. Get 'em young.

"We're building the audience for tomorrow," says tour producer Shaw Saltzberg, VP for Feldman & Associates. "In a very gentle way, it introduces them into the adult rock experience, but in a completely safe manner."

The first half of the show is a scripted play about the Doodlebops getting ready to put on a show. After an intermission, the cast comes out and performs their rock show. The songs, with names like Get On the Bus and the Move Groove, are also available on CD and DVD, so the band is even touring in support of an album. There are even signs to suggest that some of the people listening to the album are over the age of five.

The cast takes the children through rock 'n' roll Audience Behaviour 101, including waving the glow sticks, rushing the front of the stage for an autograph (in a slow, mannerly fashion, however), and purchasing the many merchandise items at intermission. The T-shirts say "My first rock concert."

Next stop, Madison Square Garden in New York.

It's the Canadian invasion.

The Doodlebops play Centrepointe Theatre at 4:30 and 7 p.m. Thursday. Tickets & times, 580-2700.


Photo credit: Stuart Davis, The Vancouver Sun

Ottawa Citizen

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