Chase! Chickaletta! Mayor Goodway! Mayor Humdinger! Marshall! Rocky! Rubble! Ryder! Tracker! Cap'n Turbot! Zuma! ...and Skye!

All the PAW PATROL friends return for an exciting escapade as "PAW PATROL LIVE! THE GREAT PIRATE ADVENTURE" comes to Boston in January.

METRMag chats with JENNA BARRICKLO who will be seen as "friends" with the female pup, "Skye."

Q – According to your website ( jennabarricklo.com), you are originally from New York City but your resume indicates you did some work at the Charleston Stage which one might assume is in Charleston, S.C. and Shenandoah University which is located in Virginia? Yet, you currently live in Boston, MA. now – is all that correct?

JB - “Yes - I have been living in Boston for about six years but I grew up in New York City.”

Q – What is your earliest experience acting?

JB - “The first show I was in was ‘Annie, JR.’ acting at a summer theatre camp. I was 10-years- old going and just into fifth grade. I played ‘Annie’ which, at first, it was overwhelming," BARRICKLO recalls. "I was crying because I hadn’t done anything like this before. But they told me that I was double cast and that someone else would also be playing the part and that way I didn’t feel like I had so much weight on my shoulders as the lead. That was such a relief. But after the show was when I realized that theatre is my thing.”

Q – What solidified your intent to pursue this as a profession and how did your family react?

JB - “I went to the Professional Performing Arts High School in New York City from sixth to twelfth grade and one time, we had alumni come back and I just remember listening to them and telling their stories and experiences and thinking, ‘This is something I can do for life? Oh, I could definitely make this my career with music and dance and everything.'"

(Photo: JENNA BARRICKLO appearing as part of the CAST of the Moonbox Productions' premiere of “Sister School.” Photo Credit Adam Richins for the Moonbox Productions website)

JB - "My parents have always been supportive," BARRICKLO continues. "We are a theatre family. My dad was a professional for 30 years. So, they were all on brand for all of this. My brother does this, as well.”

Q – You have done a lot of great shows such as “West Side Story,” “Addams Family” and I see you even worked with the folks over at Moonbox Productions for the premiere of a show entitled “Sister School.” Thinking to before “PAW PATROL LIVE!,” of course, what has been your favorite experience thus far? Was there one you felt provided you with real growth as a performer?

JB - “I think it had to have been last year when I played ‘Wednesday’ in the ‘Addams Family,’" BARRICKLO says. "Post-college, with all the skills I learned, I realized I had to apply ALL my skills to the character as an actor, singer and dancer. Playing ‘Wednesday’ solidified my own confidence. It was a special role for me.”

(Photo: JENNA BARRICKLO appears 'alongside' her friend "Skye," pictured above, in "PAW PATROL LIVE! THE GREAT PIRATE ADVENTURE" at the Boch Center Wang Theatre in Boston, MA. beginning January 19, 2024. Photo Courtesy www.pawpatrollive.com/shows/the-great-pirate-adventure)

Q – Looking at “PAW PATROL LIVE!” you are a friend to a character named “Skye” and, to read from the tour’s website, “Skye” is described as being “seven years old and a cute, smart Cockapoo puppy.” She is also described as a “fearless daredevil who will try anything with grace and a smile. She’s smart, loyal, and quick with a quip, sometimes gently teasing the bigger dogs who can’t seem to keep up! She also sounds a little 'high maintenance' to me as she is said to love getting “paw-dicures and look good.” How closely does that describe Jenna?

JB - “I think when I look at Skye I think of and admire her fearlessness," BARRICKLO says. "Her fearlessness is something I can lean into – she is the only girl but she doesn’t let that stop her and I think that is good role model to be friends with.”

Q - There seems to be a great deal of imaginative skills required for any actor involved in this particular show. Did your particular set of skills precede “PAW PATROL” or is it a result of “PAW PATROL?”

JB - “Never done certain skills before, so it became learning on the job, which was great," BARRICKLO says, indicating how she,"learned different ways to act which was a lot of fun. A character you are bringing life to and working with different skill sets. It is like rubbing your head while patting your stomach and it was all brand new to me when I joined to the tour.”

Q – Besides it being a steady gig, of course, what else drew you want to do this particular show?

JB - “When I am not on stage, I am also an educator. So, coming into this, I already knew what a big deal ‘PAW PATROL’ was and how great an experience this would be," BARRICKLO says. "Theatre education is a big deal to me and knowing kids interested in theatre will be seeing THIS as their first theatre experience? That is just a great first trip to have.”

Q – After having been part of a major tour such as this, are there other things on the horizon or other things you may want try, to help you branch out as far as performing?

JB - “Yeah, I would love to tour again. Seeing other parts of the country and being on the road? I’ll keep doing it just as long as there is theatre on the horizon and offers of stepping into new roles.”

Q – Have you performed at the Boch Center Wang Theatre before or is you’re your first time?

JB - “Oh, this is my very first time and I am SO excited," BARRICKLO notes with great enthusiasm. "It is such a surreal moment. I mean having seen so many shows and tours come through the Boch before and now being on the other side of things? It is just so exciting.”

(Photo: JENNA BARRICKLO and "Skye" together in a scene from "PAW PATROL LIVE!" Photo Courtesy jennabarricklo.com)

Q – There are two other “PAW PATROL LIVE!” Tours underway: “RACE TO THE RESCUE” and “HEROES UNITE.” Is there any cross-over between the casts of these shows or are you all pretty much restricted to the one tour you are currently on?

JB - “For now, we are restricted to the ones we are on. But we have had crew that came from those shows. So, there has been some crossover over the years," BARRICKLO says. "What I like most about it if feels like one big company even though you are on separate tours.”

Q - What can Boston audiences most look forward to from the experience of “PAW PATROL LIVE!”?

JB - “Just live theatre that is so interactive – it is audience participation, it is up and dancing around, solving cases with clues and riddles – it is definitely not typical – it is a live concert, a theatre experience and a big party all wrapped into one. The kids go wild like a ‘Taylor Swift experience.’”

Q – From your experience thus far doing this, what still feels to be your favorite part or your favorite aspect of doing this show?

JB - “My favorite part is you never have a bad show. The kids who come see us are like a little mosh pit," BARRICKLO says. "Seeing these kids in the audience? They are the best audiences you will ever have as an actor. They are always so excited to see their favorite characters."

Q - How has the creative team and cast been to work with?

JB - "We are all like one big family. We have gotten to really know each other which makes touring so much nicer because we are traveling on the road and living with great people.”

Q – What do you hope Boch Center Wang Theatre audiences will come away with after the experience?

JB - “I always hope kids come away with a spark of love for theatre – whether they are watching it for the first time, that they come away loving it and seeing it done live and maybe wanting to see more live theatre in the future, no matter what age they might be.”

Boston audiences can see JENNA BARRICKLO share the stage with "Skye" and other friends, including all the other dynamic pups from "PAW PATROL LIVE! THE GREAT PIRATE ADVENTURE" at the Boch Center Wang Theatre in Boston, MA. beginning January 19, 2024.

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Approximately two hours, 30 minutes with one intermission

Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)

@MetrmagReviews

@Theatre_Critics

(Photo: "PAW PATROL LIVE! THE GREAT PIRATE ADVENTURE" comes to the Boch Center Wang Theatre in Boston, MA. beginning January 19, 2024. Photo Courtesy www.pawpatrollive.com/shows/the-great-pirate-adventure)

ABOUT THE SHOW

X barks the spot in "PAW PATROL LIVE! THE GREAT PIRATE ADVENTURE!"

It’s "Pirate Day" in Adventure Bay, and Mayor Goodway is getting ready for a big celebration!

But first, Ryder and his team of pirate pups must rescue Cap’n Turbot from a mysterious cavern.

When they do, they also discover a secret pirate treasure map!

The PAW PATROL set out over land and sea to find the treasure for Mayor Goodway’s celebration before Mayor Humdinger finds it first!

The pups will need all paws on deck for this pirate adventure, including some help from the newest pup … Tracker!

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ABOUT THE WANG AND SHUBERT THEATRES

Just as the city and audience have evolved with the times, the Boch Center, as guardian of the WANG and SHUBERT THEATRES (and from 2012-15, the Center also managed the historic Emerson Colonial Theatre), has changed to meet the needs of its community.

Uniquely using a Balanced Scorecard (a Fortune 500 management framework), strategy map, and strategic dashboard, the Boch Center ensures that our Theatres and programs stay relevant to the community we serve. Today, the Boch Center is considered a best practice institution and nonprofit arts leader. With the belief that arts make and keep us a civilized nation, the Boch Center is dedicated to providing high-quality, diverse and culturally relevant arts and entertainment, and arts education programming for New England residents and visitors.

ABOUT THE BOCH CENTER

The Boch Center is one of the nation’s leading nonprofit performing arts institutions and a guardian of the historic WANG and SHUBERT THEATRES. As New England’s largest cultural venue, the Boch Center is home to theater, classical and popular music, dance, comedy, opera, Broadway musicals, family entertainment, and more. Located in Boston’s historic Theater District, the Boch Center also offers a diverse mix of educational, cultural and community outreach initiatives, including the City Spotlights Leadership Program and the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame; collaborates with artists and local nonprofit arts organizations; preserves historic venues; and acts as a champion for Greater Boston’s arts and cultural community. Learn more at bochcenter.org.

METRMAG Spotlight On: Jenna Barricklo on tour with "Paw Patrol Live! The Great Pirate Adventure" at the Boch Center Wang Theatre (Boston, MA.)

METRMAG Spotlight On: Jenna Barricklo on tour with "PAW PATROL LIVE! THE GREAT PIRATE ADVENTURE" at the Boch Center Wang Theatre

The Boch Center Wang Theatre

Presents

"PAW PATROL LIVE! THE GREAT PIRATE ADVENTURE"

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METRMAG Spotlight On: Jenna Barricklo on tour with "PAW PATROL LIVE! THE GREAT PIRATE ADVENTURE" at the Boch Center Wang Theatre

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