News-Press from Fort Myers, Florida • Page 79

Cover Story WWW.GULFC0ASTING.COM THE NEWS PRESS, FRIDAY, AUGUST 3, 2001 3 Mpssy mi at Ihearfi Nickelodeon brings its version of (. hi iumwui. uiun i i 1 III mllilMMKlllil-W ll ii lm. tOt" iJte ii.n'n Ikh 1 family fun to Mann Hall definitely be one of the most excited kids at the show. Her grandmother, Ann Hohman of Fort Myers, bought tickets for herself, her daughter and two grandchildren after Taylor discovered from the Web site that Game Lab was coming to town.

"They are very good fans of Nickelodeon," Hohman said. "The 8-year-old breathes, eats, everything Nickelodeoa When she saw they were coming to Fort Myers, that was it" Would Hohman be willing to participate on stage if chosen? "Probably, I would (get slimed), for her," she said. "But I think just being there and watching it live is going to be enough to pacify everyone." As part of each show, one lucky kid the captain of the winning team will receive Nickelodeon's highest kid honor: getting That's Taylor's favorite part "It's all about mess, music and fun," Schroeder said. "And having families participate." Doreen Rocchio, Comcast's advertising sales Promotions director, said the show sold out when it appeared in Sarasota and Port Charlotte in year's past She said proceeds from ticket sales will benefit two charities, The Simon Youth Foundation and The Boys and Girls Club of Lee County. The SYF provides economic and career development opportunities for young people through educational programs.

"They have scholarship programs and do violence prevention classes for childrea" she said. "Edison Mall is a Simon mall, and they're selling the tickets for the event" The Boys and Girls Club of tee County tries to inspire and enable young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential "We thought Boys and Girls Club was a good fit" Rocchio said. "We wanted to give back locally to the community." Fans who cannot attend today's shows can see Game Lib Saturday at Charlotte I Iigh School in Punta Gorda or Sunday at Robart's Arena in Sarawta Tickets are available at Port Charlotte Mall for Saturday's show and at Sarasota Square Mall for Sunday's show. By DENISE SCOTT etting messy is part of the fun when Nickelodeon, Comcast and Galloway Ford bring Nickelodeon's Game Lab to Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers today.

The two 45-minute interactive stage shows will be at 3 pm and 7 p.ia, but the entertainment starts an hour prior to each show with a Mini-kids Festival featuring food and freebies from a variety of sponsors plus a guest appearance by SpongeBob SquarePants from the Nickelodeon cartoon series. When entering Game Lab, audience members will see and possibly participate in fast-paced stunts and physical challenges based on popular Nickelodeon programs. Tia Schroeder, 22, of Orlando who was the host's assistant on the Nickelodeon television show, "Double Dare 2000" will hold both shows today. It's her job to pick audience participants and explain the games. "It's very high energy," she said.

"We go out there and have a lot of fun and music" Not only will Schroeder choose about 24 cliildren to play five games, she'll also pick eight adults to get in on the action. "We like to pie the adults and get them messy," she said. "Everything on stage is edible and machine washable. Everything tastes good in case it gets in your mouth." Participants will compete in a series of messy games and wacky physical stunts such as "Pin the Pie on the Parent" and "Banana Split" Kids in the audience will also be part of the action as they cheer on their teammates and chant phrases such as, "Make the Pie Fly!" Everyone will get to join in when they learn the dance "CatDog Scratch" during a break in the show. "It's really fun to be there and watch, even if they don't go on stage," Schroeder said.

"1 try to pick kids that are following our instructions and staying in their seats but who are the most excited." Eight-year-old Taylor Kramer will vi Game Lab." A contestant has fun in "Nickelodeon's WHAT: Nickelodeon's Game Lab a WHEN: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. today 9 WHERE: Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers COST: $5 INFORMATION: Tickets are limited and can be purchased at the Marketplace booth by Entrance ot Edison Mall. Any remaining tickets will be available at the door.

For more information, call Edison Mall Customer Service at 939-1 933. tUf tt'Mtltlf 1 1 I Wi'H.