Bob the Builder(TM) Is Hard at Work on His First US Stage Show Tour in Five Years

NEW YORK, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- HIT Entertainment, one of the world's leading independent children's entertainment producers and rights owners, in association with UK-based I.P. Live, announce the debut of Bob the Builder(TM) LIVE! Spud's Big Mess -- Bob the Builder's first touring stage show in the US in five years. The show will be presented by Magic Arts & Entertainment, a subsidiary of Tix Corporation (NASDAQ: TIXC) , and is set to premiere in York, PA on January 9, 2009 and travel to more than 70 cities nationwide through June.

"HIT Entertainment is thrilled to work with I.P. Live and Magic & Arts Entertainment to bring everyone's favorite builder to kids and families across the country in such a vibrant, high-quality stage show production," said Gary Krakower, Senior Vice President, US Licensing & Live Events, HIT Entertainment. "Bob the Builder's positive messages of teamwork and follow-through, along with his lessons about caring for the environment, have made him a phenomenally popular character worldwide and will resonate with kids and families through this exciting stage show."

"Bob the Builder has become one of the biggest stars on any stage around the globe," says producer Martin Flitton of I.P. Live. "For most kids in the US, Bob the Builder will be their first theatrical experience and opportunity to learn how theater works. All the wonderful lessons that come from Bob the Builder's live show are a plus."

Tickets are available via each venue's website. For general tour information, and links to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.BobtheBuilder.com. (Show schedule attached.)

Based on the popular international television show sensation that airs in the US on PBS KIDS(R) and PBS KIDS Sprout(SM), Bob the Builder(TM) LIVE! Spud's Big Mess is a singing and dancing extravaganza for budding builders and their families. The show stars Bob the Builder, his business partner Wendy, trusty machine-team members Scoop, Dizzy, Lofty and Scrambler and other favorite friends from Sunflower Valley, including the mischievous scarecrow Spud, Farmer Pickles and Mayor Bentley.

The show begins as Bob and his team build the first-ever recycling center and wind farm in Sunflower Valley. It isn't long before some items go missing and a few of Bob's friends mysteriously disappear. Faced with a mountain of garbage, they must figure out who is responsible for the mess and work together to fix it, while dealing with Spud's antics. Can they all pull together and get the job done? Yes they can!

The 90-minute show features ten original songs and sees the characters embark on an adventure that promotes positive messages of caring for the environment, recycling, teamwork, cooperation and, of course, the importance of a can-do spirit. Interwoven into the storyline are takeaway lessons for kids and good reminders for the grown-ups, including how to:

    --  Encourage habits such as taking care of the earth and everything that
        lives on it
    --  Understand what it means to recycle and reuse
    --  Identify and define a recycling center and how to find one while
        understanding its importance
    --  Define trash and recycling, incorporating the motto, "Trash is only
        trash if you don't recycle it."

In support of the eco-friendly messages of this show, the producers will use all show communications to encourage attendees to read the show programs online. In addition, show materials will include special recycling tips and eco-themed activities for kids. All venues where the live show is performing will be encouraged to use recycling containers and include how to attend the show by using public transportation on their website.

About Bob the Builder(TM)

Bob the Builder and his machine team are ready to tackle any project. As they hammer out the solutions that lead to a job well done, Bob and the Can-Do Crew demonstrate the power of positive-thinking, problem-solving, teamwork and follow-through. Most importantly, from start to finish, the team always shows that The Fun Is In Getting It Done! Bob the Builder can be seen building, digging and hauling on PBS KIDS(R) and PBS KIDS Sprout(SM) Episodes are also available for download through iTunes. For more information about Bob the Builder, and the Can-Do Crew please visit http://www.bobthebuilder.com.

About Magic Arts & Entertainment

Magic Arts & Entertainment, headed by Lee Marshall and Joe Marsh, is one of the foremost tour producing companies in the United States. In addition to Mannheim Steamroller, the company is also currently producing the North American tours of "Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance," "The Magic of David Copperfield," "Jesus Christ Superstar" starring Ted Neeley, and "Rain, A Tribute to The Beatles." They are also producing the upcoming tours of "Bob The Builder Live" and "101 Dalmatians! The Musical!" As former owners of Magicworks Entertainment, Marshall and Marsh produced and promoted some of the world's most successful concerts, theatricals and family shows. For more information, please visit http://www.magicentertainment.tv.

About TIX Corporation

Tix Corporation is an integrated entertainment organization offering ticketing services, event merchandising and concert and theatrical productions. It currently operates five prime locations in Las Vegas under the Tix4Tonight marquee -- offering up to a 50 percent discount for same-day shows, concerts, attractions and sporting events. It also offers discount golf and dining through its sales locations in Las Vegas. The company sells premium tickets to concerts, theater and sporting events throughout the United States. Its Exhibit Merchandising operation is engaged in branding, product merchandise development and sales activities related to museum exhibitions and other events -- including the King Tutankhamen and Real Pirates tours, selling themed souvenir memorabilia and collector's items in specialty stores in conjunction with the specific events and venues. The company's newest division, Tix Productions is dedicated to concert and live theatrical promotion and production of events throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.

Except for the historical information contained herein, certain matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are based on expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in the company's various filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About HIT Entertainment

HIT Entertainment, owned by private equity investment group Apax Partners, is one of the world's leading independent children's entertainment producers and rights-owners. HIT's portfolio includes properties, such as Barney(TM), Bob the Builder(TM), Thomas & Friends(TM), Pingu(TM), Fireman Sam(TM), Angelina Ballerina(TM) and Rainbow Magic(TM). HIT represents Chapman Entertainment's Fifi and the Flowertots(TM) and Roary the Racing Car(TM) in North America and Japan, as well as Wallace & Gromit(TM), Shaun the Sheep(TM), Timmy Time(TM) and Aardman Classics from Aardman Animations. HIT also acts as a worldwide representative for The Jim Henson Company's library of classic family brands and as representative for The Wiggles(R) in the UK. Launched in 1989, HIT's lines of business span television and video production, content distribution, publishing, consumer products licensing and live events and has operations in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan. HIT is a part-owner of US-based preschool channel, PBS KIDS Sprout(SM), and international preschool channel JimJam, (outside of the US, UK and China). For more information, visit http://www.hitentertainment.com.

    To download artwork, please visit http://www.hitnewsonline.com.



                    Bob the Builder LIVE! Spud's Big Mess
                                Tour Schedule

    DATE           CITY                         VENUE

    January 9      York, Pennsylvania           Strand Capital PAC
    January 10     Waterbury, Connecticut       Palace Theater
    January 11     Providence, Rhode Island     Providence PAC
    January 13     Grand Rapids, Michigan       DeVos Performing Hall
    January 14     Wabash, Indiana              Honeywell Center
    January 16     Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania   F.M. Kirby Center
    January 17     Baltimore, Maryland          Lyric Opera House
    January 18     Worchester, Massachusetts    Worchester Center for the PA
    January 19-20  New Brunswick, New Jersey    State Theatre
    January 22     Ashland, Kentucky            Paramount Arts Center
    January 23     Morgantown, West Virginia    Concert Theatre
    January 24-25  Hershey, Pennsylvania        Hershey Theatre
    January 27     Akron, Ohio                  EJ Thomas Hall
    January 28     East Lansing, Michigan       Wharton Center
    January 29     Bloomington, Indiana         Indiana University Auditorium
    January 30     Merrillville, Indiana        Star Plaza Theatre
    January 31     Minneapolis, Minnesota       Orpheum Theatre
    February 1     Cedar Falls, Iowa            Gallagher Bluedorn PAC
    February 3     Hamilton, Ontario            Hamilton Place
    February 4     Peterborough, Ontario        Peterborough Memorial Centre
    February 5     Kitchener, Ontario           Centre In the Square
    February 6     Flint, Michigan              Whiting Auditorium
    February 7     Chicago, Illinois            Chicago Theatre
    February 8     Des Moines, Iowa             Civic Center
    February 10    Sioux City, Iowa             Orpheum Theatre
    February 11    Sioux Falls, South Dakota    Washington Pavilion of A&S
    February 13    Omaha, Nebraska              Orpheum Theatre
    February 14    Kansas City, Missouri        Music Hall Kansas City
    February 15    Fayetteville, Arkansas       Walton Arts Center
    February 17    Oklahoma City, Oklahoma      Civic Center Music Hall
    February 18    Wichita, Kansas              Century II PA & Convention
    February 19    Springfield, Missouri        Juanita K. Hammons Hall PAC
    February 20    Tulsa, Oklahoma              Mabee Center
    February 21-22 Dallas, Texas                Majestic Center
    February 23    Texarkana, Texas             Perot Theatre
    February 25    McAllen, Texas               McAllen Civic Center
    February 26    Corpus Christi, Texas        Selena Auditorium
    February 27-28 San Antonio, Texas           Majestic Theatre
    March 1        Austin, Texas                Long Center for the PA
    March 2-3      Lubbock, Texas               City Bank Auditoriums
    March 5        Tucson, Arizona              Centennial Hall
    March 6        Escondido, California        California Center for the
                                                 Arts
    March 7        Cerritos, California         Cerritos Center for the PA
    March 8        Tempe, Arizona               ASU Gammage Auditoriums
    March 11-12    Los Angeles, California      Wilshire Theatre
    March 13-15    San Francisco, California    Golden Gate
    March 16       Eugene, Oregon               Hult Center for the PA
    March 18       Wenatchee, Washington        PAC of Wenatchee
    March 19       Vancouver, BC                Queen Elizabeth
    March 20-22    Seattle, Washington          Paramount Theatre
    April 14       Lakeland, Florida            Lakeland Center
    April 15       Melbourne, Florida           King Center for the PA
    April 17       Sarasota, Florida            Van Wenzel PA Hall
    April 18       Clearwater, Florida          Ruth Eckerd Hall
    April 19       Gainesville, Florida         Phillips Center for PA
    April 20       Pensacola, Florida           Saenger Theatre
    April 21       Jackson, Mississippi         Thalia Mara Hall
    April 22       Panama City, Florida         Marina Civic Center
    April 24-26    Fort Lauderdale, Florida     Parker Playhouse
    April 28       Columbus, Georgia            River Center for the PA
    April 29-30    Myrtle Beach, South Carolina The Palace Theatre
    May 1          Columbia, South Carolina     Koger Center for the Arts
    May 2-3        Charlotte, North Carolina    Belk Theatre
    May 5-7        Philadelphia, Pennsylvania   Academy of Music
    May 8          Salem, Virginia              Salem Civic Center
    May 10         Richmond, Virginia           Landmark Theater
    May 12         Newport News, Virginia       Ferguson Center for the Arts
    May 14         Montgomery, Alabama          Montgomery PAC
    May 15-17      Nashville, Tennessee         Tennessee PAC
    May 18         Evansville, Indiana          Centre Auditorium
    May 20         North Charleston,            North Charleston PAC
                    South Carolina
    May 21         Jacksonville, Florida        Times Union
    May 22-24      Raleigh, North Carolina      Raleigh Memorial Auditorium
    May 26         Albany, New York             Palace Theatre
    May 27         Utica, New York              Stanley Theatre & PAC
    May 28         Syracuse, New York           Landmark Theater
    May 29         Buffalo, New York            Shea's Theatre
    May 30-31      New York City, New York      Beacon Theatre
    June 2-3       Knoxville, Tennessee         Knoxville Civic Auditorium
    June 4         Chattanooga, Tennessee       Chattanooga Memorial
                                                 Auditorium
    June 5-7       Memphis, Tennessee           Orpheum Theatre
    June 8         Lafayette, Louisiana         Heymann Performing Arts
                                                Center
    June 11        Halifax, Nova Scotia         Cohn Auditorium
    June 12        Truro, Nova Scotia           Truro High School Auditorium
    June 13        Fredericton, New Brunswick   Fredericton Playhouse
    June 14        St. John, New Brunswick      Imperial Theatre