Yo Gabba Gabba! Live @ Beacon Theater

The idiosyncrasies of the Yo Gabba Gabba! universe are widely known by now. The characters are strange and likable. The show gets kids to eat their vegetables and show bravery in the dark with the use of catchy sing-along songs. However, the show is unique in that it attracts an adult audience by way of well known indie music acts and celebrities that make guest appearances on the show, including Of Montreal, MGMT, Devandra Banhardt and The Roots.

The live interpretation of Yo Gabba Gabba! was unsurprisingly entertaining for a diverse audience. DJ Lance Rock and his boom box led Muno, Foofa, Brobee, Toodee and Plex through some of the show’s greatest hits. For each show planned on this limited tour, which only finds its way to Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Dallas, a special musical guest is planned. For the 11am Beacon Theater, New York City show Devandra Banhardt surprised and pleased any indie music fans in attendance with an acoustic offering. Unfortunately, a theater full of bored and screaming pre-schoolers didn’t approve, creating an awkward break in the action. A more suitable musical selection may have been the upbeat Brooklyn-natives MGMT with their Yo Gabba Gabba! contribution, “Art Is Everywhere.”

The show did soon recover with the release of thousands of balloons from the rafters midway through the performance, but the highlight (based on audience reaction) was a surprise appearance by Biz Markie and “Biz’s Beat of the Day.” Markie proceeded to ask kids from the audience to mimic his beatboxing styles, and the results proved to be a hit with fans. The show ended with Yo Gabba Gabba! favorites “Party in My Tummy” and “Goodbye Song.” My two-year old son gave his full approval with two thumbs way up and wouldn’t stop talking about it for the rest of the day.