If you are a “Phineas and Ferb” fan, get ready to see it all during their live performance on Sunday, when the inventive boys create the best day ever.
A 13-foot-tall monster truck with giant marshmallow wheels will roll onto the stage and you’ll hear the hit rap-inspired song “Squirrels in My Pants.”
The live show is based on the hit Disney Channel series and brings the whole gang together with another amazing set element: a giant slide. Phineas, Ferb, Candace, Isabella, Baljeet, Buford and the rest transform from video to live action by sliding from the screen onto the stage.
The show also features elements that are basic staples from the television show: slapstick comedy, clever dance numbers and, in addition to “Squirrels,” 13 other songs, plus a never-before-heard original song, according to press material.
The soundtrack includes “Gitchee Gitchee Goo,” “Backyard Beach,” “Busted,” “Today Is Gonna Be a Great Day,” “Summer Belongs to You” and the new song, “We’re Gonna Put on a Show.”
The evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz does a glitzy Broadway musical number, eschewing his everyday lab coat for a sequined jacket and top hat.
“The music is phenomenal, very catchy and I still find myself in between numbers singing the songs in the show,” said Brady Swenson, who plays Doofen-shmirtz on stage.
Swenson, 27, who spoke about his role in a phone interview while visiting his family in Salt Lake City, said Disney demands their shows be exact replicas of the television series so all the characters lines are pre-recorded and the actors lip sync their parts.
Swenson described this show’s plot as forming when the gang decides to make the best day ever out of the last day of summer vacation.
Then they realize they have too many ideas about how to do that, so they make an invention that combines the ideas into musical numbers.
Meanwhile, Doofenshmirtz, who is best known as the evil scientist who creates “inator” devices that perform any number of evil deeds, decides he needs an inator that will make the audience believe he’s the biggest musical star ever.
Doof’s scheme is revealed in a big Broadway number.
“Basically it’s me and Agent P on stage singing and dancing about what my new ‘inator’ is going to do,” Swenson said. “Then the Goonettes join me and it’s one big Broadway theatrical piece.”
And, as usual, Agent P, Phineas and Ferb’s pet platypus, continues his double life as a secret agent who enters the scene to try to stop the Doof’s evil plot and save the day.
Besides a Broadway number, the show has a reggae hip-hop beach party, futuristic-themed acrobatics and a Bollywood number that blends an Indian dance celebration with giant marshmallows.
Marshmallows also play a role in customized scooters, which come with marshmallow launchers. The set includes a science lab for Dr. Doofenshmirtz, and a custom-made jungle gym for Agent P, complete with treadmill, according to press material.
Though their lines are pre-recorded, Swenson said it’s still key for him to watch “Phineas and Ferb” on television to hone in on this character and get his jerky quirky movements down pat.
Trained as a dancer, Swenson said he’s been challenged to keep Doofenshmirtz’s hunched-over posture during the shows.
“The character is completely out of my element but it’s fun to play a character on stage and not just do the choreography,” Swenson said.
To seal that perception that these characters are 100 percent from the Disney show, this live performance has the characters in animation before they transform into live action.
“Right in front of the audience’s eyes,” producer Alana Feld said. “While maintaining the integrity of the characters, we present them in a whole new way that can only be done on stage.”
Besides the high-energy entertainment value, “Phineas and Ferb” also brings life lessons to children.
In the case of Doofenshmirtz, this evil scientist is actually a decent guy who considers Agent P a friend, sending a message to kids that friendships prevail even though two people might not have the same views, Swenson said.
“Disney’s Phineas and Ferb Live” will be presented at 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday at Comcast Arena. Tickets are $19, $26, $31 and $49. Call 866-332-8499 or online at www.comcastarenaeverett.com.
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