Barney's Musical Castle is a stage show that was directed and choreographed by Penny Wilson, written by Evan Viola with songs in the show written by various individuals. It was the second national stage show tour (after Barney's Big Surprise) based on the American live-action educational children's television series Barney & Friends. The show made its world premiere on September 15, 1999 at Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas.[1]
Produced by Lyrick unit Leach Productions, the show toured in North America until 2001 and was nationally sponsored by Luvs.[2] The show was announced to play in eighty cities over the course of the original run. During the show's original run, it drew more than nine hundred ten thousand attendees to two hundred forty-three performances and saw $17.5 million in ticket grosses.[2] Following North America, the show toured in Mexico in 2000 in its initial run, it was later performed in Asia in 2005 and 2012, Mexico, Central America and Latin America from 2006 to 2007, and the Middle East from 2009 to 2010. A portion of the proceeds from the tour benefited the National Children’s Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating child abuse.[3]
On March 6, 2001, Barney's Musical Castle was released on home video having the show filmed at the Rosemont Theater in Rosemont, Illinois in March 2000.
The show opens with the announcer announcing that this show is made possible by the audience’s imagination. As the music builds up, a bigger castle comes onto the stage. During this, the “Barney Theme Song” builds and erupts, in which Barney jumps through the castle opening, waving and greeting the audience as he skips around on stage. Seeing the audience makes Barney want to sing, leading into the “Musical Castle Sing-Along Medley”.
Barney posing in front of the sandcastle.
After the medley, four children run onto the stage by the names of Penny, Andy, Jessica and Justin, in which Barney introduces to the audience. Wondering what they were doing, the children tell Barney that they were making flags for their sandcastle until a big sign with a castle and legs came by. Andy concludes that the sign possibly wanted to lead them to a real castle. The children then exclaim that they’d like to visit a castle, in which Barney tells them that they have to use their imaginations, leading into the song “Castles So High”. After the song, Barney and the children see The Sign again, and figure out how to communicate with it. After learning how to communicate with The Sign, Barney and the children learn that The Sign wants Barney and the children to follow it, as it will lead them through an enchanted forest and lead them to a real castle.
The gang follows the sign to the enchanted forest, where they notice pretty flowers, queuing the song “What Makes a Flower So Pretty”. During the song, dancing flowers come out on stage and then leave as the song ends. After the song, Barney and the children hear Baby Bop, who was hiding in the flowers. She comes out, greets the audience and then wonders what they’re doing in the enchanted forest. Learning that they’re going to a real castle, Baby Bop decides to join them. After Baby Bop sings “Look at Me, I’m Three”, The Sign shows everyone that the king lost his crown. Barney concludes that The Sign brought them along, so they could return the crown to the king. Soon the sun comes out, and the path to the castle is gone. BJ comes out and declares that they can count on him to help find the path again, leading into the song “You Can Count on Me”. After the song, Jessica shows BJ The King’s crown. BJ notices a note inside the crown that Barney reads. The note tells them to ask the bunny, fox and bear to help them find the path. When finished reading the note, a bunny, fox and bear comes out on stage, leading into the song “Here in the Forest”, with the addition of a skunk appearing later in the song. During the song, the animals help to make a new path, however everyone has to sing one more song to make the path entirely clear, which leads into “And the Green Grass Grows All Around”.
Barney, Baby Bop, BJ and the kids with the Guard, taken from the book.
The path is cleared after the song and Baby Bop and Jessica decide to take turns carrying The King’s crown. As they go down the path, they all sing “It’s a Great Day”. After the song, The Sign comes along to tell them that they’re close to the castle. Upon arriving at the castle, they notice The Guard is sleeping. With the audience’s help, they wake up the guard. When the guard wakes up, Barney asks if he could open the door. The Guard tells them that the door is locked and a special song will need to be sung in order to have it opened. They figure out that the song to sing is “If You’re Happy and You Know It” and after the song, the door opens. Due to the door opening slowly, it leads into intermission which ends act 1.
Act 2[]
After intermission, Andy, Jessica, Penny and Andy ride horses from the audience onto the stage. When arriving on stage, they decide to put the horses back in the stables.
Everyone waves flags up in the air in "Wave your Flags".
As the second act opens, The curtains open to see the dinosaurs inside the castle with many flags around, leading into the song “Wave the Flags” with Barney encouraging the audience to wave their flags. After the song, everyone decides to look for the king. Penny suggests that he might be hiding in a painting she found. She hides in one herself, making the others want to join in, leading into “Musical Castle Nursery Rhyme Medley”. After the medley, they conclude that he’s not inside any of the paintings but soon wonder if he might be in a suit of armor they see. The suits of armor soon move and dance, leading into "Knights' Dance" with BJ joining in the dance.
Everyone singing "I Love You".
After the song, The Sign tells everyone that The King is at the top of the castle. As they decide to go see The King, Jessica gives Baby Bop The King’s crown to carry. Before leaving to see The King, BJ suggests that they dress up in fancy clothes. They then play dress up with The King’s clothes. While dressing up, they sing the “Musical Castle Costumes Medley” with the dinosaurs singing “I Put a Smile On” afterwards. After the songs, they go and see The King and return his crown to him. Because The King has his crown, a celebration begins and everyone sings “Musical Castle Celebration Medley”. Given that The King is no longer sad, he declares that it’s a great day, leading into a reprise of “It’s a Great Day”. After the song, The King thanks everyone for bringing his crown back, leading into the song “I Love You”. Everyone waves goodbye after the song, closing the show with Barney blowing a kiss to the audience.
The original cast of Barney's Musical Castle performed from September 15, 1999 to June 11, 2000. This was also the cast that performed on the home video release and in the book adaptation.
The show's original vision was from longtime Barney writer Stephen White. The show was turned over to multiple writers in order to put the script together.[10]
Announcements[]
In November 1998, Mary Ann Dudko made her appearance in Crook & Chase to talk about Barney and his 10th anniversary, but it mentioned when Mary talks about a big news about Barney's new stage show and about to touring in major cities in Fall 1999 to Spring 2001.
Music and Soundtrack[]
The soundtrack of Barney's Musical Castle released in South Africa.
Barney's Musical Castle is a live album with songs from the stage show of the same name. The album was released by NEXT International in South Africa. This is the only Barney album to have a soundtrack based on a US live tour released outside the US.
El Castillo Musical de Barney is a live Spanish album with songs from Barney's Musical Castle. The album was released in 2000 by Lyrick Studios and Tycoon Music. The soundtrack was soon re-released by HIT Entertainment and Universal Music Group International on July 14, 2009.
Barney's Musical Castle is a book that was released by Scholastic, Inc in 2001 based off the tour of the same name. It was written by Guy Davis and photographed by Dennis Full.
Gallery[]
Releases[]
Original Release (2001)
Australian Release (2002)
Original Spanish Release (2002)
Spanish Rerelease (2003)
Singaporean and Malaysian VCD Release (2001)
Singaporean and Malaysian DVD Release (2011)
Performances[]
United States & Canada[]
The Barney Doll sitting in a sandbox before the show.
An alternate angle view of the Barney doll sitting in a sandbox before the show.
Barney greets the audience.
Barney performs the "Sing Along Medley" to the audience.
Barney and the kids singing "What Makes a Flower So Pretty?" in the enchanted forest
BJ and Baby Bop singing "You Can Count on Me".
(Front, left to right) BJ, Barney, Baby Bop, and (back) Jessica on stage.
Barney and his friends found a note from inside the King's crown.
Everyone singing "Here in the Forest"
Barney sings "And the Green Grass Grows All Around"
Barney, Baby Bop, BJ, and the kids onstage.
The Guard is happy to see Barney and his friends at the castle.
Everyone singing "If You're Happy and You Know It".
Barney, Baby Bop, and BJ are inside of the castle.
Everyone singing "Wave the Flags"
Everyone is looking for the King.
BJ is calling the king by saying "Hey! Where are you, Your Majesty".
Everyone singing "It's a Great Day (Reprise)".
Barney and his friends cheering "Hooray".
Barney blows a kiss goodbye.
Confetti hearts rain down on the audience when the show concludes.
Asia[]
Malaysia[]
Everyone singing "Here in the Forest".
Everyone singing "If You're Happy and You Know It".
Barney and the gang singing "Wave the Flags".
Baby Bop and BJ singing "Wave the Flags".
Latin America[]
Mexico (2006)[]
Everyone singing "I Love You".
Panama[]
Barney and his friends in the enchanted forest.
Middle East[]
Lebanon[]
Everyone singing "Here in the Forest".
Barney and his friends meet the Guard.
Everyone singing "The Nursery Rhyme Medley".
Everyone meets the King.
United Arab Emirates[]
Everyone celebrates in the castle.
Everyone singing "I Love You".
Qatar[]
Barney greets the audience.
Barney doing the movements to "Mr. Knickerbocker".
Barney introduces his friends to the audience.
Baby Bop hides behind the bush.
The Sign stands behind Barney and Baby Bop.
BJ arrives on stage.
BJ singing "You Can Count on Me".
Jessica shows BJ the King's crown.
Everyone singing "The Green Grass Grows All Around".
Everyone singing "It's a Great Day".
Singapore[]
Barney appears on stage.
Jessica holding the crown.
Baby Bop as Mary in "Mary Had a Little Lamb".
Everyone singing "Wave Your Flags".
Barney, Baby Bop, and BJ singing "I Put a Smile On".
Behind the scenes[]
A backstage view of the stage.
The stage show truck used to transport elements of the show.
A cutout photo of (left to right) DeWayne Hambrick, Camille Pritchett, David Voss, and Jay Benson as the dancers.
Barney, BJ, and Baby Bop with their body doubles standing in-between Suzanne Lockridge. (Date: 8/25/1999)
The Wiggles[]
(Left to right) Murray Wiggle, Barney, and Anthony Wiggle.
(Left to right) Captain Feathersword, Barney, Reba McEntire, Anthony Wiggle, and Greg Wiggle.
Photo shoot[]
Promotional photo of Barney, Baby Bop, and BJ with the King.
B&W promotional photo of Barney, Baby Bop, and BJ with the King
Promotional photo of the Sign
Tour Dates[]
Barney's Musical Castle 1999 schedule (taken from the back cover of Barney Magazine - July/August 1999).
The original North American tour of Barney's Musical Castle ran from September 1999 through April 2001 in four legs, separated by Winter and Summer holidays. In select cities throughout this tour, The Wiggles performed as the intermission act.
Leg 1 - Fall 1999[]
City
Venue
Dates
DALLAS, TX
Reunion Arena
Sept. 15-19
ST LOUIS, MO
Kiel Center
Sept. 22-26
TULSA, OK
Tulsa Convention Center
Sept. 28-29
AUSTIN, TX
Frank Erwin Center
Oct. 1-3
HOUSTON, TX
Compaq Center
Oct. 5-10
LOS ANGELES, CA
Great Western Forum
Oct. 13-17
ANAHEIM, CA
Anaheim Convention Center
Oct. 20-24
PHOENIX, AZ
American West Arena
Oct. 27-31
FRESNO, CA
Selland Arena
Nov. 2-3
SACRAMENTO, CA
Arco Arena
Nov. 5-7
SAN JOSE, CA
San Jose Arena
Nov. 10-14
SALT LAKE CITY, UT
“E” Center
Nov. 17-22
SPRINGFIELD, IL
Prairie Capital Conv. Ctr.
Nov. 30-Dec. 1
MEMPHIS, TN
Mid-South Coliseum
Dec. 3-5
EVANSVILLE, IN
Roberts Arena
Dec. 7-8
GREENVILLE, SC
Bi-Lo Center
Dec. 10-12
BRISTOL, TN
Viking Hall Civic Center
Dec. 14-15
HUNTINGTON, WV
Huntington Civic Center
Dec. 17-19
FAIRFAX, VA
Patriot Center
Dec. 29-Jan. 1
Leg 2- Spring 2000[]
A photo of the Radio City Music Hall in NYC.
City
Venue
Dates
PITTSBURGH, PA
Benedum Center
Jan. 5-9
WALLINGFORD, CT
SNET Oakdale Theatre
Jan. 12-16
NEW YORK, NY*
Radio City Music Hall
Jan. 19-30
PHILADELPHIA, PA
First Union Spectrum
Feb. 2-6
HERSHEY, PA
Hersheypark Arena
Feb. 8-9
WILKES-BARRE, PA
Northeastern PA Civic & Conv. Ctr.
Feb. 11-13
ROCHESTER, NY
Blue Cross Arena
Feb. 15-16
TRENTON, NJ
Mercer County Arena
Feb. 18-20
ROSEMONT, IL
Rosemont Theater
Mar. 1-12
MOLINE, IL
Mark of the Quad Cities
Mar. 14-15
LOUISVILLE, KY
The Gardens
Mar. 17-19
CLEVELAND, OH
CSU Convention Center
Mar. 22-26
GRAND RAPIDS, MI
Van Andel Arena
Mar. 29-Apr. 2
DETROIT, MI
Cobo Arena
Apr. 5-9
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Target Center
Apr. 12-16
CINCINNATI, OH
Firstar Center
Apr. 18-22
A photo of Barney holding a giant Hershey bar.
Mexico (2000)[]
City
Venue
Dates
MEXICO CITY, MX
Auditorio Nacional
Jun. 1-11
Leg 3 - Fall 2000[]
City
Venue
Dates
NASHVILLE, TN
Municipal Auditorium
Sept. 8-10
HUNTSVILLE, AL
Van Braun Center
Sept. 12-13
BIRMINGHAM, AL
BJCC Coliseum
Sept. 15-17
AUGUSTA, GA
Augusta/ Richmond County Civic Center
Sept. 19-20
COLOMBUS, OH
Nationwide Arena
Sept. 22-24
CHARLOTTE, NC*
Charlotte Coliseum
Sept. 27-Oct. 1
GREENSBORO, NC*
Greensboro Coliseum Complex
Oct. 4-8
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA*
Bryce Jordan Center
Oct. 10-11
PORTLAND, ME*
Cumberland Co. Civic Center
Oct. 13-15
UNIONDALE, NY*
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
Oct. 18-22
WORCESTER, MA*
Worcester Centrum Center
Oct. 25-29
TORONTO, ONT
SkyDome
Nov. 1-5
PEORIA, IL
Peoria Civic Center Arena
Nov. 7-8
DAYTON, OH*
University of Dayton Arena
Nov. 10-12
WHEELING, WV*
Wheeling Civic Center Arena
Nov. 14-15
ALBANY, NY
Pepsi Arena
Nov. 17-19
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
World Arena
Nov. 26-28
SAN ANTONIO, TX
Alamodome
Dec. 1-3
MILWAUKEE, WI
US Cellular Arena
Dec. 8-10
MANKATO, MN
MidWest Wireless Civic Center
Dec. 12-13
WINNIPEG, MB
Winnipeg Coliseum
Dec. 15-17
HAMPTON, VA
Hampton Coliseum
Dec. 28-31
Exclusive plush Barney released to promote the show
The final filmed stage show (as well as the final home video overall) to feature Bob West as the voice of Barney when he retired more than ten years.
The second time where BJ whistles to let the audience know of his arrival.
The only appearances of Andy, Penny, Jessica, and Justin.
The fourth Barney live show on VHS.
The only filmed stage show released during the television series to not receive a trailer released on home media (not counting Barney in Concert).
The only filmed stage show where Baby Bop didn't use her blankey during the entire show.
Release[]
According to the insert in the VHS release of Come on Over to Barney's House, this video was originally intended for release in Fall 2001. It was eventually bumped up to March 6, 2001.
In the Spanish version, additional shots were used that were not in the original VHS release.
When the video was re-released in 2006, the text was changed and has the HIT Entertainment logo, the DVD Video logo and the 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment logo on the black tape with ink label. With the new logo, the "Barney" wording was reused from the Barney's Colorful World logo. Unlike the 2006 re-release of It's Time For Counting which contained different previews by having the exact same colored tape and ink label this release had, this tape still used its original tape master sourced from the 2001 release.
The Wiggles[]
The Wiggles and Captain Feathersword performed as the intermission act of the North American tour since this was to promote the Australian musical group being introduced to an American audience around that time.
Fernando Moguel (who portrayed Andy in the tour) later worked for The Wiggles and made appearances on their albums, videos, and at their American concerts. Fernando Moguel also portrayed as the Yellow Wiggle in the Latin American co-production and was later a Wiggly Dancer, he also portrayed Carlos in The Kingdom of Paramithi which was produced by The Wiggles.
When this stage show was released on home video in the US, it included the footage from The Wiggles' Big Show tour (The Wiggles' first ever arena tour filmed in November 1997) after the feature, which was recycled from the 1998 re-recorded version of "Wiggle Time!", a remake of The Wiggles' first ever video from 1993.
The Wiggles used the confetti from this tour in the song Marie's Wedding for their video called "Hoop-Dee-Doo it's a Wiggly Party".
