Australian children’s act wiggles way to Cleveland

By John Benson

The Wiggles have added acrobatics to their live show.

When children’s entertainment is your business, there is little need to rein vent yourself.

After all, your target preschool audience is constantly turning over.

However, The Wiggles have recently undergone a few changes that make their current “Pop Go The Wiggles Live Tour!,” which comes to Cleveland for two shows Thursday at the Wolstein Center, something different from previous outings.

Not only is the Australian act, billed as the No. 1 preschool band in the world, touring its latest classic nursery rhymes CD/DVD release “Pop Go The Wiggles!,” but its concert performances received a major makeover.

“With the live show, we’ve taken on a new aspect and become a bit more physical in that we have gymnasts and acrobats on stage now,” said Purple Wiggle Jeff Fatt, calling from Sydney, Australia. “So there’s a lot of somersaults, tumbling and human pyramids in the act now. It’s kind of like a cross between Broadway and Cirque du Soleil.”

The other big news coming out of The Wiggles’ camp is a lineup change. In December 2006, founding member and Yellow-shirt-wearing Greg Page was diagnosed with orthostatic intolerance, which forced him to leave the group. In his spot is now Sam Moran, who was no stranger to The Wiggles’ world.

“Sam has become quite a bit a part of the furniture,” Fatt said. “He’s been with The Wiggles already for over eight years. He’s been working with us, knows what The Wiggles are all about and is a perfect choice for Greg’s replacement.”

Originally formed 17 years ago, The Wiggles have created their own instantly recognizable universe for parents with their hit television show, which has been shown for years on the Disney Channel. There’s also the slew of catchy (perhaps to the point of annoying) songs such as “Romp Bomp A Stomp,” “The Monkey Dance” “Move like an Emu” and more.

In fact, since 1991 The Wiggles have sold more than 22.5 million DVDs and 7 million CDs, including 17 gold, 12 platinum, three double platinum and 10 multiplatinum albums. So what is it about The Wiggles and their cast of characters such as Captain Feathersword, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Henry the Octopus and Wags the Dog that remain popular with the potty training set around the world?

“I think it’s because what we always put as our main priority is the children come first,” Fatt said. “We always center on the child and because children are very egocentric, the world revolves around them. You always have to give your message or your ideas in a song at their level, and that’s what we’ve always maintained.

“Plus, I think there’s a bit of natural chemistry among The Wiggles themselves. We absolutely love what we do, and that comes through in everything we do.”