MUMBAI: US kids broadcaster Nickelodeon and Broadway Across America will bring Storytime Live! in February next year.

This will be the first live family theatrical tour featuring characters from four shows - Dora the Explorer, The Backyardigans, Wonder Pets! and Ni Hao, Kai-lan.

The tour will visit more than 70 US cities from 16 February next year and will then travel to Chicago, Pittsburgh and Radio City Music Hall in New York City, among other destinations.

Says Nickelodeon recreation senior VP, resorts and theatricals Stuart Rosenstein, "Nickelodeon's latest live theatrical endeavour for families comes from some of kids' favourite stories and adds a unique Nickelodeon twist.

"With Storytime Live!, we're giving kids the opportunity to sing and dance with all of their favourite characters in one unique production."

Storytime Live! aims to celebrate the magic of storytelling through four brand-new adventures. With Nick Jr's Moose and Zee as hosts, Storytime Live! will take kids and their families on musical adventures whether by leaping into Fairytale Land with Dora and Sleeping Boots, journeying through Filthingham with The Backyardigans, hopping into Wonderland with the Wonder Pets! or jumping on clouds with Kai-lan and the Monkey King.

Broadway Across America CEO John Gore avers, "After bringing several Nickelodeon shows to the live stage, Storytime Live! is a first for our partnership with the network. Having the opportunity to produce a live theatrical tour with new and familiar characters from four popular Nickelodeon shows is truly exciting."

Nickelodeon has produced several theatrical and touring shows for kids and their families which have drawn more than 2.5 million attendees in 12 years.