The award-winning classic CBS/Fox Video/Nickelodeon series, Kids in Motion: A Creative Movement and Music Show, is being rebooted by original creator, Julie W. Markovitz, and producer George Paige. They have established a team with digital content experts, Amber Cordero and Steve Smythe, to bring this heritage program back to life as new OTT content targeting kids 2 to 8 years in age. Production for New Kids in Motion is slated to start in early 2020.
Movement/dance educator and certified yoga instructor Markovitz, who teaches creative movement and yoga to children, explained, “New Kids In Motion is an OTT network featuring contemporary music and dance videos hosted by fun characters interacting with kids with upbeat sing-alongs, creative movement and activities to get kids off the couch moving and singing. Aside from being based on a successful creative dance program, it’s the uniquely crafted ‘get up and move’ music videos that separates Kids in Motion from any other children’s programs.”
The original and “New Kids in Motion” songs consist of a myriad of different musical styles written by well-known songwriters and composers for Disney TV, movies and recognized children’s performing artists. Each song features catchy melodies with interactive action lyrics that encourage kids to use their imaginations to dance and move in their own individual ways.
“This unique combination of well-crafted songs with action lyrics is the reason the original Kids in Motion caught lightning in a bottle for parents, teachers and most importantly kids between 2-8 years old for over three decades,” said producer and former educator Paige.
Millennials remember the iconic show, which included an original soundtrack, home video, a book and a small stage tour. Fans are now posting videos from the original show on YouTube with millions of views and demanding a comeback for a new New Kids in Motion for their children. The show’s soundtrack is still a top seller in its category on Amazon receiving thousands of 5 star reviews.
Originally, Kids in Motion secured a deal with CBS/FOX Playhouse Home Video. Kids In Motion became an instant hit with children, parents and educators, earning the Parent’s Choice Award, Action for Children’s Television Award, Good Housekeeping Award and was endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Shortly after, Nickelodeon came on board and aired the show interstitially for several years as evergreen content. Following that, Good Housekeeping Home Video rereleased Kids in Motion, giving it a whole new life that took the show into the ‘90s.
Mitzi Gaynor, star of “South Pacific,” dies at 93
Mitzi Gaynor, the effervescent dancer and actor who starred as Nellie Forbush in the 1958 film of "South Pacific" and appeared in other musicals with Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly, has died. She was 93.
Gaynor, among the last survivors of the so-called golden age of the Hollywood musical, died of natural causes in Los Angeles on Thursday morning, her long-time managers Rene Reyes and Shane Rosamonda confirmed in a statement to The Associated Press.
"As we celebrate her legacy, we offer our thanks to her friends and fans and the countless audiences she entertained throughout her long life," Reyes and Rosamonda said in a joint statement. "Your love, support and appreciation meant so very much to her and was a sustaining gift in her life."
Her entertainment career spanned eight decades across film, television and the stage, and appeared in several notable films including "We're Not Married!" and "There's No Business Like Show Business," but she is best remembered for her turn in "South Pacific."
The screen version of "South Pacific" received three Academy Award nominations and won for best sound, while Gaynor was a best actress nominee for a Golden Globe.
The role of the love-sick nurse Nellie, created on Broadway by Mary Martin, had been eagerly sought by Hollywood stars. Sinatra helped Gaynor land it.
She was starring with him in "The Joker Is Wild," when she had a one-day opportunity to audition for lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II. It was the same day she was scheduled for her biggest scene with Sinatra. When she explained her plight, he told her, "Don't worry, I'll change the schedule."
Hammerstein was impressed with Gaynor, who had already won the approval of director Josh Logan and composer Richard... Read More