Barney's Big Surprise!

Barney's Big Surprise is a stage show that was originally directed and choreographed by Penny Wilson, written by Stephen White with songs in the show written by various individuals. It was the first national stage show tour based on Barney. The show made its world premiere on September 10, 1996 at Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas.The Dino's Might 
The show's original run ran from 1996 until 1998. Originally meant to tour in sixty cities, the tour performed in over eighty cities during its original run. Barney's Big Surprise sold nearly two million tickets during the original run.International Fact Sheet - Stage Show Along with performances in the US and Canada, the show also toured in Mexico and the United Kingdom in its initial run in 1998. Subsequent productions of the show were performed in Asia from 2004 to 2005, starting with Singapore and Malaysia in 2004 and Brunei and Indonesia in 2005, Argentina and Chile in 2005, Uruguay in 2005 to 2006, Peru and Mexico again, in 2006 and Brazil in 2007. A portion of the proceeds from the tour benefited the Starbright Foundation, which aids seriously ill children.BARNEY COMES TO HAMPTONDon’t Laugh but ‘Big Surprise’ Is a Purple People Pleaser
On May 19, 1998, Barney's Big Surprise was released on VHS, having the show filmed at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem, North Carolina from December 13-14INTERVIEW BARNEY ABOUT HIS ``BIG SURPRISE', 1997.
==Plot==
===Act 1===
The show opens with a Barney plush doll sitting on a stool in the spotlight. The announcer announces that this show is made possible by the audience's imagination. As smoke fills the stage, the "Barney Theme Song" builds and erupts, in which Barney arrives. When he arrives, he greets the audience as he skips. After the song ends, Barney notices that he has so many friends in the audience, that he can’t see everyone’s smiles, leading him into the song, “If You’re Happy and You Know It”, so he knows that everyone is happy.
After the song, Barney says that it would make him happy if he introduced the audience to some other friends of his. He then takes the audience to the treehouse where they’re introduced to Kevin, Cindy, Tony, and Rachel respectively. After introductions, the children show the audience what things they were doing in the treehouse before they arrived, queuing the song “Welcome to Our Treehouse”. After the song, Baby Bop skips onto the stage but proceeds to hide behind Barney due to her being shy in front of the audience. Barney proceeds to tell her that the people in the audience are friends, making her more comfortable in front of them. Soon, Baby Bop wonders if the audience his here for the big surprise, in which Barney tells them that they don’t know about it. Excited that the audience doesn’t know what the surprise is, she proceeds to hop up and down wanting to tell them, leading into “The Baby Bop Hop” joined by two bunnies. After the song, Barney tells Baby Bop that it’s okay to tell the audience what the surprise is. She proceeds to tell the audience that they’re having a birthday party that everyone is invited to. Soon, BJ comes out on stage with a big drum, giving everyone a clue that it’s his birthday. With each bang on a drum, BJ tells the audience that he’s turning seven. BJ, Barney and the children then proceed to sing “Happy Birthday to Me”.
After the song, Barney and the children tell BJ to stand away from them so they can discuss plans for BJ’s birthday party. As they discuss, BJ tells the audience that he wants a red scooter for his birthday. After Barney and the children finish discussing, BJ wonders if it’s time for his party to start. He discovers that it’s not, as they still have a show to do. Upon realizing this, BJ decides that it would be fun for the audience to pretend to be flying in an airplane, leading into “The Airplane Song”. After pretending to fly, it becomes windy. Due to the wind, Barney gets the idea for everyone to fly kites, leading into the song “My Kite” as everyone flies kites on stage. After the song ends, everyone goes to put their kites away.
Barney then gets a call on the treehouse telephone from Professor Tinkerputt who has a surprise for BJ. Barney then goes to get The Barney Mobile to pay him a visit, bringing along BJ and Baby Bop for the ride. The children decide to stay and decorate the treehouse for BJ’s birthday party. As the dinosaurs drive along, they sing the “Driving Medley”. As the song ends, they arrive at Professor Tinkerputt’s toy factory. When they arrive, Professor Tinkerputt comes out on stage to greet them. Professor Tinkerputt proceeds to ask if anyone else came with the dinosaurs, in which Barney lets him know that the audience is behind him. Surprised by the audience, he greets them, and then asks if they like “Mr. Knickerbocker” and would like to sing it. Coming from parking The Barney Mobile, Barney, BJ and Baby Bop come back on stage to sing along. After the song, Professor Tinkerputt shows the audience his toy factory, leading into the song “Tinkerputt’s Song”.
After the song, Professor Tinkerputt shows everyone around his toy factory, leading into his newest invention which is dancing robots. As Barney and Professor Tinkerputt turn them on, they sing “We Are Little Robots”. After the song, they gang gets into the topic of BJ’s birthday party, in which Professor Tinkerputt tells Barney that he’ll need his car to drive BJ’s surprise back to the treehouse due to its size. Barney agrees to lend Professor Tinkerputt his car, which makes Baby Bop wonder how they’ll get back to the treehouse. Professor Tinkerputt explains that they’ll fly back with balloons. He tells them that thanks to his balloon machine, they can chose any color balloon they like, leading into the song “The Rainbow Song”. After the song, BJ wonders where the balloons are. Professor Tinkerputt tells them that they’ll be out in a couple of minutes, leading into intermission.
===Act 2===
After intermission, Barney, BJ and Baby Bop come out on stage in a hot air balloon singing “Hey, Look at Me! I Can Fly!”. After the song, Baby Bop squeezes a duck call, in which four ducks come out on stage. The dinosaurs proceed to sing “Four Little Ducks” as the ducks dance on stage. After the song, they land the hot air balloon on the ground.
When they land, the curtains open to see that the children have decorated the treehouse for BJ’s birthday. Everyone proceeds to sing a reprise of “Happy Birthday to Me”. Everyone then wonders if they can proceed to eat some party treats. Seeing that not all the guests are here, Barney suggests that they imagine eating treats instead, leading into the song “If All the Raindrops”. After the song, BJ wonders if they can play some party games. Barney goes backstage and comes back out dressed as a farmer. Everyone goes backstage to get ready for the next game, in which then BJ comes out with a banjo, Kevin comes out in a corn costume, and everyone sings “Old MacDonald Had a Farm”. During the song, all the children come out in corn costumes, along with Baby Bop, holding up signs of various farm animals. After the song, Barney suggests to everyone that they need to put away their toys. Everyone proceeds to exit in a line, with Baby Bop being the last one.
Due to her being the last in line, Baby Bop proceeds to question as to why she’s in the back and seeing it as unfair. She then asks the audience if she should be the last in line. The audience proceeds to tell her that someone else is behind her. She gets frightened and the thing behind her runs away. Everyone comes back out on stage trying to chase whatever was behind Baby Bop. Baby Bop notices that it went in the treehouse. When they open the door, they are greeted by Mother Goose. Mother Goose informs everyone that it was Clarence they were chasing as he was on the loose. Barney then suggests that Mother Goose introduce herself to the audience as they might not know her. She then sings “I’m Mother Goose”. After the song, they proceed to have more fun with Mother Goose’s rhymes, leading into “Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme Medley” and Old King Cole arriving to the party to sing his self-titled song.
After the songs, Professor Tinkerputt arrives with his surprise. BJ assumes that he brought a red scooter for him. BJ discovers that the reason Professor Tinkerputt didn’t get him a red scooter is because that’s what Barney and the others got him. Professor Tinkerputt proceeds to bring the big surprise in which it’s a giant cake. After the cake grows, everyone sings “Happy Birthday to You” to BJ. After the song, everyone helps BJ blow out the candles, including the audience, given the massive size of the cake. After the candles are blown out, confetti shoots out and the gang proceeds to sing “I Love You”. Everyone waves goodbye after the song and Barney blows a kiss to the audience, drawing the show to a close.
==Cast==
<tabber>
Original=
The original cast of Barney's Big Surprise performed from September 10, 1996 to May 4, 1997. This is also the cast that appeared in the book adaptation.
* Barney (Voice: Bob West, Costume: Carey Stinson / Josh Martin)
* Baby Bop (Voice: Julie Johnson, Costume: Lee Clark / Nancy O'Connell)
* BJ (Voice: Patty Wirtz, Costume: Pat O'Connell / Mike Hagan)
* Tony (Trent Gentry)
*Rachel (Vanessa Lauren)
*Cindy (Courtney Cook Chavera)
*Kevin (Antwaun Hobbs)
*Professor Tinkerputt (Barry Pearl)
*Mother Goose (Michelle McCarel)
* Clarence the Goose (David Voss)
*Old King Cole (DeWayne Hambrick)
*Dancers (Camille Pritchett, David Larson, Tracy Reese)
*While credited, David Franks and Elizabeth Fry were understudies. Fry would serve as an understudy for "Cindy" or "Rachel" in any event the lead actresses weren't available. Franks was the understudy for Barney's voice in any event the audio for the show would stop working.
|-|
Video=
The following cast of Barney's Big Surprise performed from September 19, 1997 to June 7, 1998. This was also the cast that performed on the home video release.
*Barney (Voice: Bob West, Costume: Carey Stinson / Josh Martin)
*Baby Bop (Voice: Julie Johnson, Costume: Lee Clark / Jennifer Romano)
*BJ (Voice: Patty Wirtz, Costume: Pat O'Connell / Kyle Nelson)
*Tony (Trent Gentry)
*Rachel (Vanessa Lauren)
*Cindy (Mallory Lineberger)
*Kevin (Brandt Love)
*Professor Tinkerputt (Barry Pearl)
*Mother Goose (Michelle McCarel)
*Clarence the Goose (David Voss)
*Old King Cole (DeWayne Hambrick)
*Dancers (Camille Pritchett, Heather Brown, Jay Benson)
*Additional Player (Seth "Humpty" Goldstein)
*When the tour performed in Mexico in 1998, Courtney Cook Chavera returned to reprise her role of "Cindy" since Mallory Lineberger wasn't able to extend to the Mexican tour for unknown reason.Barney's Big Surprise with Actress Courtney Cook - Purple Tales Podcast Episode 3 The performances in Mexico were also dubbed in Spanish, meaning that the voices of Barney, Baby Bop and BJ were done by José Carlos Moreno, Elsa Covián and Love Santini respectively. The voice of Professor Tinkerputt was done by Blas García as well, while Barry Pearl would still be on stage. The Spanish dub was also the case for the performance on February 19, 1998 in Miami, Florida.Children's delight: Barney to hit South Florida stage February 11, 1998 Retrieved September 25, 2023
|-|
United Kingdom=
The following cast of Barney's Big Surprise performed from in the United Kingdom in 1998.
*Barney (Voice: Bob West, Costume: Carey Stinson / Josh Martin)
*Baby Bop (Voice: Julie Johnson, Costume: Lee Clark / Jennifer Romano)
*BJ (Voice: Patty Wirtz, Costume: Pat O'Connell / Kyle Nelson)
*Professor Tinkerputt (Barry Pearl)
*Mother Goose (Michelle McCarel)
*Clarence the Goose (David Voss)
*Old King Cole (DeWayne Hambrick)
*Dancers (Camille Pritchett, Heather Brown, Jay Benson)
*Child performers (Nicola Bland, Jenny Cachero, Stacie Damps, Yasmin Hickson, Richard Bleach, Kye Laurence Hughes, Thomas Redman and Joseph Williams)
*It's unknown as to which child actors portrayed which specific characters as their title was only referred to as child performers in print for the cast personnel. Chaperones for the cast included James Harrington and Lorna Harrington.
</tabber>
==Songs==
===Video===
====Act 1====
#"Barney Theme Song"
#"If You're Happy and You Know It"
#"Welcome to Our Treehouse"
#"The Baby Bop Hop"
#"Happy Birthday to Me"
#"The Airplane Song" *
#"My Kite"
#"Driving Medley ("In the Car and Having Fun"/"Itsy Bitsy Spider"/"Mister Sun")"
#"Mr. Knickerbocker"
#"Tinkerputt's Song"
#"We Are Little Robots"
#"The Rainbow Song"
====Act 2====
 
 "Hey, Look at Me! I Can Fly!" 
"Four Little Ducks"
 "Happy Birthday to Me (Reprise)"
"If All the Raindrops"
 "Old MacDonald Had a Farm"
"I'm Mother Goose" * 
"Mother Goose Medley ("Humpty Dumpty"/"Hey Diddle Diddle"/"Little Miss Muffet"/"Little Boy Blue"/"One Two Buckle My Shoe"/"Sing a Song of Sixpence")" 
"Old King Cole" 
"Happy Birthday to You" 
 "I Love You"
* Not on the North American soundtrack
==Production==
After Barney Live! In New York City, Coleman went to Dick Leach, who helped launch Barney, to suggest making the Barney live events bigger. Coleman requested one million dollars and the best Rock ‘n’ roll tour manager he can find, which became the basis for Barney's Big Surprise.Barney meets Rock & Roll! Stories from the tour - Purple Tales Podcast Episode 14 June 4, 2019 Retrieved August 11, 2022. Dick Leach, the chairman of Lyrick Studios (the company that owned Barney at the time), and his daughter, Sheryl Leach, the creator of Barney, at first envisioned a show that would play in theaters, much like the performance at Radio City Music Hall in 1994, however, Barney's Big Surprise was too big to play in theaters.BARNEY BARNSTORMS ACROSS THE LAND 'BARNEY'S BIG SURPRISE' EXTRAVAGANZA SET TO ROCK CORESTATES SPECTRUM
After doing the music for the attraction A Day in the Park with Barney, Joseph Phillips was approached by Sloan Coleman to do the music for the tour of Barney's Big Surprise. Phillips (and his crew) mixed and edited the show while it was being rehearsed at the same time.
David Voss, who was the original Barney costume actor, served as the Dance Captain and Cast Manager for the tour. Following the original run in the US, Pablo Glattli and Esteban Grossy choreographed and directed the show for the South American run while Kym Halpin directed the Asian run of the tour. Penny Wilson, the original director and choreographer of the tour, directed for the Mexican run in 2006, alongside David Voss. 
==Music and Soundtrack==
Main Article: Barney's Big Surprise! Live on Stage
Barney's Big Surprise! Live on Stage was an album that featured songs from the stage show of the same name. The album was originally sold on November 6, 1996 during the tour. A retail version of the album was released on May 6, 1997 (the same day as Barney's Musical Scrapbook).
Main Article: La Gran Sorpresa de Barney
La Gran Sorpresa de Barney is a soundtrack that was based on Barney's Big Surprise, but in Spanish. It was released in 1998 when the show toured in Mexico, and was later re-released in Colombia in 2000 and in 2005 when the show toured in Argentina.
== Adaptation==
===Book===
Main Article: Barney's Big Surprise! (book)
The stage show was adapted into a book of the same name in the same year it began touring. It was written by Guy Davis and photographed by Dennis Full. 
==Release==
===Broadcast===
The video aired on PBS in 2000, being the fifth of only eleven Barney Home Videos to be televised on that network.
===Home media===
On May 19, 1998, Barney's Big Surprise was released on VHS. It was the third Barney live show to be released on home video following Barney in Concert and Barney Live! In New York City. Barney's Big Surprise was later re-released on VHS in 2000.
===Releases===
Barney's Big Surprise VHS.jpg|Prototype Cover
BBS VHS.jpeg|Original Release (1998)
File:Barneys-Big-Surprise-Live-On-Stage-1998-VHS.jpg|ActiMates Release (1998)
Barney's Big Surprise UK VHS.jpg|Original UK/Ireland Release (1999)
Barney's Big Surprise UK VHS release 2002.JPG|UK/Ireland Rerelease by Hit Entertainment (2002)
Barney's Big Surprise Spanish VHS.jpg|Spanish Release (1998)
File:Barney's Big Surprise VCD.jpg|Malaysian/Singaporean VCD Release (2000)
==Reception==
With a minor suggestion for earplugs due to the show's volume, Los Angeles Times critic Lynne Heffley found Barney's Big Surprise similar to a Barney & Friends episode, with the result being "lively, expertly staged and a lavish visual treat" noting that alongside the television show, the stage show provides a "feel-good formula".Don't Laugh but 'Big Surprise' Is a Purple People Pleaser In the Chicago Tribune, Eric Fidler commented that the show primarily aims at the five-and-under group, citing that "Judging Barney through the eyes of an adult is pointless....kids were in heaven".Barney's Live Show Works By Keeping Kids-first Ethic
== Gallery==
===Performances===
====United States & Canada====
File:Image 2022-08-12 214957651.png|The stage curtains before the show.
File:Image 2022-08-12 215007085.png|The Barney doll sitting on a stool during the beginning of the show.
File:Barney has arrive.jpg|Barney comes to life on stage
File:Barney greets the audience.jpg|Barney greets the audience.
File:Barney's Big Surprise in 1996.jpg|Barney and the kids jumping for joy.
File:Barney & his friends at the treehouse.jpg|Barney and his friends at the treehouse
File:Barney, Baby Bop & His friends.jpg|Barney, Baby Bop and the kids dance to "The Baby Bop Hop"
File:BJ's big drum.jpg|BJ begins to count how old he is turning.
Bbsearly.png|Barney and the kids singing "Happy Birthday to Me" in the earlier run of the show in 1996. Note the slight differences in set design.
File:The Barney Mobile.jpg|Barney pulls up in the Barney Mobile.
File:94734178 219983159453602 5385641298420039680 n.jpg|Professor Tinkerputt stands in front of the Barney Mobile.
File:BJ and the robots.jpg|BJ and the robots.
File:BBS.jpg|Barney, Baby Bop, and BJ singing "We Are Little Robots".
File:Barney, Baby Bop & BJ are flying in the hot air balloon.jpg|Barney, Baby Bop & BJ are flying in the hot air balloon and sing "Hey Look at Me, I Can Fly"
File:The hot air balloon.jpg|The dinos take a ride in a hot air balloon.
File:Happy birthday to me (reprise).jpg|Happy Birthday to Me (Reprise)
File:Bigsurprise.jpg|(Left to right) Cindy, Baby Bop, BJ, and Barney
File:Barney playing the fiddle.jpg|Barney playing the fiddle in "Old MacDonald Had a Farm".
File:Mother Goose gives BJ a birthday present.jpg|Mother Goose gives BJ a birthday present.
File:Mother Goose and Clarence.jpg|Mother Goose and Clarence The Goose.
File:Everyone singing Humpty Dumpty.jpg|Everyone singing "Humpty Dumpty".
File:119178868 323934672391783 7063545414381854830 n.jpg|Professor Tinkerputt, Mother Goose, and Tony.
File:Images (1).jpg|BJ, Professor Tinkerputt, and Barney.
File:The inflatable birthday cake.jpg|BJ's birthday cake.
Barneysbigsurprisesideshot.png|Barney, BJ, Rachel, Baby Bop, Mother Goose and Tony.
File:D75d374b-885e-48d6-aa49-c5fb51e3b872.jpg|BJ and his friends celebrating his birthday as confetti rains down.
OIP.jpg|Everyone singing "I Love You".
File:BBS 1996-1997.jpg|(Left to right) BJ, Barney, Baby Bop, Mother Goose, Tony, and Clarence on stage during "I Love You".
File:A04D6B09-DE6C-40B3-8CFF-546026FA0E6D.jpg|Barney, Baby Bop, and BJ singing "I Love You".
File:Barney blows a kiss goodbye.jpg|Barney blows a kiss goodbye.
File:The confetti paper hearts were rain down.jpg|The confetti paper hearts rain down as the show ends.
====United Kingdom====
File:BBSUKstageshot.png|A photo taken from the UK tour.
====Mexico (1998)====
File:F2E837A8-4EF9-4396-8B1E-248542ABB568.webp|Barney introducing himself to the audience, taken from a performance in Monterrey, Mexico.
==== Asia====
File:Image 2022-09-06 000437739.png|Barney greeting the audience
File:Image 2022-09-06 000444840.png|Barney standing in front of the treehouse.
File:Image 2022-09-06 000453786.png|Barney and Baby Bop.
File:Image 2022-09-06 000518620.png|BJ arrives with his big drum.
File:Image 2022-09-06 000528788.png|Barney singing "My Kite".
File:Image 2022-09-06 000538780.png|Barney and Baby Bop flying kites.
File:Image 2022-09-06 000546868.png|Barney, Baby Bop, and BJ in the Barney Mobile.
File:Image 2022-09-06 000600250.png|Professor Tinkerputt greeting BJ and Baby Bop.
File:Image 2022-09-06 000612946.png|Barney and Professor Tinkerputt.
File:Image 2022-09-06 000631623.png|Everyone singing "Tinkerputt's Song".
File:Image 2022-09-06 000644033.png|Barney and Professor Tinkerputt in the factory.
File:Image 2022-09-06 000502787.png|Barney, Baby Bop, and BJ flying in a hot air balloon.
File:Image 2022-09-06 000654978.png|(Left to right) Baby Bop, Mother Goose, and Barney.
File:Baby Bop plays the fiddle.png|Baby Bop plays the fiddle.
File:Image 2022-09-06 000701730.png|Humpty Dumpty
File:Image 2022-09-06 000821864.png|Little Miss Muffet.
====Latin America====
====Mexico (2006) ====
File:599661 461029170588053 2064148710 n.jpg|Barney, Baby Bop, BJ, and Professor Tinkerputt singing "We are Little Robots".
File:534842 461029097254727 1431941384 n.jpg|BJ receives his red scooter.
File:406142 461028930588077 1070214165 n.jpg|A photo of the cast from the 2006 Mexican production.
====Behind the scenes====
Stageshowtruck.png|The stage show truck used to transport elements of the show around
BBSStageshowtrucks.png|Four stage show transport trucks
Bsinterbiew.png|Barney doing interviews on the road for the show
File:103130338 250817776370140 5996105072284488498 n.jpg|Carey Stinson and Harold Behrens in The Barney Mobile
File:94711175 217015116417073 2908269536060899328 n.jpg|Barry Pearl onstage in front of the set of Professor Tinkerputt’s toy factory.
File:Image 2022-08-12 214944179.png|Five transport trucks.
File:117377006 299995064785744 842178531363215572 n.jpg|Tour Manager Glenn Grabski standing in front of the transport truck.
File:The BBS Transport Truck parked in front of Radio City Hall.jpg|One of the transport trucks parked in front of Radio City Hall in New York City.
File:Carey Stinson and the original children's cast of Barney's Big Surprise at rehearsal.jpg|Carey Stinson and the original children's cast of Barney's Big Surprise at rehearsal
File:The original children's cast of Barney's Big Surprise eating lunch during school backstage.jpg|The original children's cast of Barney's Big Surprise eating lunch during school backstage
File:Barney&Cindy.jpg|Barney and Courtney Cook Chavera (Cindy's original actress), holding hands
File:263294312 613611430090771 7425950886415069419 n.jpg|Pat O'Connell with Vanessa Lauren and Trent Gentry during rehearsal
====Field trips====
File:Courtney Cook Chavera and Carey Stinson in Mexico City.jpg|Courtney Cook Chavera (left) and Carey Stinson (right) in Mexico City, Mexico.
File:The original kid cast of BBS behind the Statue of Abraham Lincoln.jpg|The original children's cast of Barney's Big Surprise standing in front of the Statue of Abraham Lincoln in Washington, D.C.
File:David pushing Pat on a swing.jpg|David Voss (back) pushing Pat O'Connell (front) on a swing at a park.
===Photo shoots===
File:Barney's Big Surprise Cast.jpg|Promotional image of Barney, Baby Bop, BJ, Mother Goose, and Professor Tinkerputt.
==Tour Dates==
===North America (1996-1998)===
The original North American tour of the tour ran from September 1996 through May 1998 in four legs, separated by Winter and Summer holidays.
====Leg 1- Fall 1996 ====
City 	Venue 	Dates
FT. WORTH, TX 	Will Rogers Memorial Center 	Sept. 10-15
ST LOUIS, MO 	Kiel Center 	Sept. 18-22
HOUSTON, TX 	Astroarena 	Sept. 24-29
MOBILE, AL 	Mobile Civic Center 	Oct. 4-6
MEMPHIS, TN 	Memphis Cook Convention Center	Oct. 8-13
AUSTIN, TX 	Frank Erwin Center 	Oct.16-19
MIDLAND, TX 	Chaparral Center 	Oct. 21-22
PHOENIX, AZ 	American West Arena 	Oct. 24-26
TUSCON, AZ 	Tucson Convention Center 	Oct. 29-30
EL PASO, TX 	County Coliseum 	Nov. 1-3
LOS ANGELES, CA	Universal Amphitheater 	Nov. 6-10
ANAHEIM, CA 	Anaheim Convention Center 	Nov. 12-17
OREM, UT 	McKay Events Center 	Nov. 20-25
SAN JOSE, CA 	San Jose Events Center 	Dec. 3-8
RENO, NV 	Lawlor Events Center 	Dec. 10-11
SACRAMENTO, CA 	Arco Arena 	Dec. 13-15
TACOMA, WA 	Tacoma Dome 	Dec. 18-22
ST. PAUL, MN 	Roy Wilkins Auditorium 	Dec. 27-29
==== Leg 2- Spring 1997====
City 	Venue 	Dates
MILWAUKEE, WI 	Wisconsin Center Auditorium 	Jan. 1-5
PITTSBURGH, PA 	Benedum Center 	Jan. 8-12
NEW YORK, NY 	Radio City Music Hall 	Jan. 15-26
ROCHESTER, NY 	Rochester War Memorial 	Jan. 28-29
WALLINGFORD, CT 	Oakdale Theatre 	Jan. 31-Feb. 2
PHILADELPHIA, PA	CoreStates Spectrum 	Feb. 5-9
INDIANAPOLIS, IN	Indianapolis Convention Center	Feb.12-16
CLEVELAND, OH 	C.S.U. Convention Center 	Feb. 26-Mar. 2
NASHVILLE, TN 	Nashville Municipal Auditorium	Mar. 5-9
LOUISVILLE, KY 	Louisville Gardens 	Mar. 11-12
ROSEMONT, IL 	Rosemont Theater 	Mar. 13-23
DES MOINES, IA 	Veterans Memorial Auditorium 	Mar. 25-27
KANSAS CITY, MO 	Municipal Auditorium Arena 	Apr. 2-6
PEORIA, IL 	Peoria Civic Center 	Apr. 8-9
LINCOLN, NE 	Pershing Auditorium 	Apr. 11-13
DETROIT, MI 	Cobo Arena 	Apr. 15-20
HUNTINGTON, WV 	Huntington Civic Center 	Apr. 22-23
CINCINNATI, OH 	Cincinnati Gardens 	Apr. 25-27
FAIRFAX, VA 	Patriot Center 	Apr. 29-May 4
====Leg 3- Fall 1997====
City 	Venue 	Dates
BIRMINGHAM, AL 	BJCC Coliseum 	Sept. 19-21
CHARLOTTE, NC 	Charlotte Coliseum 	Sept. 24-28
TALLAHASSE, FL 	Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center 	Sept. 30-Oct. 1
JACKSONVILLE, FL 	Jacksonville Coliseum 	Oct. 3-5
ALBANY, NY 	Pepsi Arena 	Oct. 9-12
UNIONDALE, NY 	Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum 	Oct.15-19
COLUMBUS, OH 	Battelle Hall 	Oct. 21-22
TOLEDO, OH 	Savage Hall 	Oct. 24-26
TORONTO, ONT 	Skydome 	Oct. 29-Nov. 1
WORCESTER, MA 	Worcester Centrum Center 	Nov. 8-9
LANSING, MI 	Breslin Center 	Nov. 15-16
DENVER, CO 	Denver Coliseum 	Nov. 19-23
AUGUSTA, GA 	Augusta/ Richmond County Civic Center 	Dec. 2-3
N. CHARLESTON, SC	North Charleston Coliseum 	Dec. 5-7
WINSTON SALEM, NC	Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum	Dec. 10-14
BALTIMORE, MD 	Baltimore Arena 	Dec. 17-21
RICHMOND, VA 	Richmond Coliseum 	Dec. 29-31
====Leg 4- Spring 1998====
City 	Venue 	Dates
HAMPTON, VA 	Hampton Coliseum 	Jan. 2-4
KNOXVILLE, TN 	Knoxville Civic Center 	Jan. 7-11
JACKSON, MS 	Mississippi Coliseum 	Jan. 13-14
NEW ORLEANS, LA 	Kiefer UNO Lakefront Arena 	Jan. 16-18
LITTLE ROCK, AR 	BARTON Coliseum 	Jan. 20-21
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK	Oklahoma State Fair Arena 	Jan. 23-25
ATLANTA, GA 	Atlanta Civic Center 	Jan. 28-Feb. 1
MACON, GA 	Macon Coliseum 	Feb. 3-4
BATON ROUGE, LA 	Riverside Centroplex 	Feb. 6-8
TAMPA, FL 	Ice Palace 	Feb. 11-15
MIAMI, FL 	Miami Arena 	Feb. 18-22
SAN ANTONIO, TX 	Alamodome 	Mar. 1-2
ALBUQUERQUE, NM 	Tingley Coliseum 	Mar. 5-8
LAS VEGAS, NV 	Thomas & Mack Center 	Mar. 12-15
SAN DIEGO, CA 	San Diego Sports Arena 	Mar. 18-22
PORTLAND, OR 	Memorial Coliseum Arena 	Mar. 25-29
OAKLAND, CA 	Oakland Alameda County Coliseum	Apr. 1-5
CALGARY, AB 	Calgary Corral 	Apr. 9-12
SASKATOON, SK 	Saskatchewan Place 	Apr. 14-15
EDMONTON, AB 	Agricom 	Apr. 17-19
VANCOUVER, B.C. 	PNE Coliseum 	Apr. 22-26
===Mexico (1998)===
City 	Venue 	Dates
MEXICO CITY, MX	Auditorio Nacional	May 29-Jun. 7
===United Kingdom (1998)===
City 	Venue 	Dates
ABERDEEN, SCT 	Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre	Nov. 6-8
MANCHESTER, EN	Manchester Arena 	Nov. 12-15
GLASGOW, SCT 	Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre	Nov. 18-22
CARDIFF, WAL 	Cardiff International Arena 	Nov. 24-26
LONDON, EN 	London Docklands Arena 	Nov. 29-30
NEWCASTLE, EN 	Metro Radio Arena 	Dec. 9-13
BIRMINGHAM, EN	National Indoor Arena 	Dec. 15-17
SHEFFIELD, EN 	Sheffield Arena 	Dec. 19-21
===Asia (2004-2005)===
City 	Venue 	Dates
PASIR RIS, SINGAPORE 	D' Marque Downtown East 	Jun. 16-26, 2004
KUALA LUMPUR, MY 	Axiata Arena Bukit Jalil 	Jul. 28-Aug. 7, 2004
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, BN	Jerudong Park Amphitheater 	Jun. 10-12, 2005
JAKARTA, ID 	Tennis Indoor Stadium Senayan	Aug. 4-Oct. 4, 2005
====Latin America (2005-2007)====
City 	Venue 	Dates
BUENOS AIRES, AR 	Teatro Coliseo 	Jul. 9-Aug. 7, 2005
CÓRDOBA, AR 	Orfeo Superdomo 	Aug. 14, 2005
SANTIAGO, CL 	CasaPiedra 	Oct. 18-30, 2005
MONTEVIDEO, UY 	Sala Teatro MovieCenter 	Dec. 27, 2005 - Jan. 3, 2006
LIMA, PE 	Vértice del Museo de la Nacion	Feb. 1-26, 2006
MEXICO CITY, MX 	Teatro Aldama 	Mar. 26, 2006
MEXICO CITY, MX 	Teatro Aldama 	Apr. 1-2, 2006
RIO DE JANIERO, BR	Citibank Hall 	Nov. 1-4, 2007
==Awards and nominations==
Year	Award 	Category 	Result	Ref
1998	Performance Magazine's 1997 "Reader's Poll Award"	Best Family/Variety Touring Act of the Year	Won 	International Fact Sheet
== Trivia==
*Starting with this live show onward (excluding the filmed performance of Barney's Colorful World!), a child with his/her voice being heard off-screen would usually say their introductory lines before Barney comes to life through the curtains as he greets the audience.
*This is the first live show to be performed and filmed in an arena.
*Although BJ receives a red scooter for his birthday in this video, he was previously seen riding it in Barney's 1-2-3-4 Seasons. It's possible that this stage show took place before that video due to it being a continuity error.
===Cast=== 
* This live show / video marked: 
**The first filmed live show not to have David Joyner as Barney's costume performer. Now, Carey Stinson takes that position, having done so in previous mall tours and as an alternate costume performer in Barney Live! In New York City. 
** The first time BJ is performed by Kyle Nelson.
**The only time Mother Goose is portrayed by Michelle McCarel.
**The first time Carey Stinson and Kyle Nelson perform together as Barney and BJ.
* From 1996-1997, some performances would feature the costumes based on the season three Barney costume and the 1996 Baby Bop and BJ costumes, but sometimes they use the 1995 Baby Bop and BJ costumes on the tour. However, in the filmed version and the 1997-1998 performances, the costumes based on the season four Barney costume and the 1997 Baby Bop and BJ costumes would be used.
*Initially, Erica Rhodes was asked to be apart of Barney's Big Surprise but was eventually swapped to be a series regular on Barney & Friends portraying Kim.Purple Roads Episode Thirty | Danielle Vega "Barney & Friends and East Los High"
*In the VHS release, there is no FBI Warning Screen, only the Interpol Warning screen at the start.
===Characters=== 
*This live show / video marked: 
**The only appearances of Kevin, Cindy, Tony, and Rachel. This is also the first Barney live show to feature kids that never appeared in the television series.
**The final appearances of Professor Tinkerputt and Clarence the Goose.
**The first appearance of Old King Cole.
**The first live show in which the character voices were pre-recorded, unlike previous shows where they were performed live.
**The first time Baby Bop and BJ appeared with Mother Goose.
**The only time Professor Tinkerputt and Mother Goose appeared together.
**The only time Clarence the Goose appeared with Baby Bop and BJ.
===Home media=== 
*This live show / video marked: 
**The first video to use the 1998-2001 Lyrick Studios logo.
**The final Barney VHS to have a preview of Barney Live! In New York City on the 2000 re-release.
*The audio track on the screener version of the video was a work in progress, as the final audio wasn't completed yet at the time. The same version also has no text in the credits and it also has different audio.
===Occurrences=== 
*This live show / video marked:
**The first live show to feature a Barney doll at the beginning. It is also the first live show to feature The Treehouse. The next one to do the latter would be Barney at Alton Towers.
**The final video to have Sheryl Leach as an executive producer. Dennis DeShazer solely took over the position starting with the next video.
**The only other live show after Barney Live! In New York City where its vocals for the "Barney Theme Song" are sung differently compared to the one that was used from the television series. This one uses a mixture from the fourth season including the permanently closed attraction, A Day in the Park with Barney, formerly at Universal Orlando Resort.
===Songs=== 
*In the Barney News on the 1996 Family Magazine, the songs, "John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt" and "Everyone is Special", were mentioned, but they do not appear in this live show.
*Cut before Barney's Big Surprise was released on home video, "Listen to the Night Time" was removed from the tour due to the energy it brought down for the show. It was initially sung between "We Are Little Robots" and "The Rainbow Song". However, it was featured on the soundtrack.
*"Mr. Knickerbocker" was in the "Driving Medley" in when the show toured in Fall 1996 and Spring 1997. It then became solo for the Fall 1997 and Spring 1998 shows.
==Videos==
===Promos===
Barney’s Big Surprise - TV Commercial (Rare)
 
====Home video====
Barney's Big Surprise! Live on Stage Trailer 
Barney - 3 Pack Trailer-2
==See also==
*Una Tarde con Barney y Sus Amigos - a stage show hybrid that contains some portions of Barney's Big Surprise.
==References==
Category:Barney Home Videos
Category:Classic Collection
Category:TV Specials
Category:1996
Category:1997
Category:1998
Category:Barney Stage Show Tours
Category:Birthday Videos
Category:Home Videos Written By Stephen White
Category:Videos distributed by Lyrick Studios
Category:Videos on VHS