Review: 'Paw Patrol LIVE!' takes on a pirate adventure in Boston

BOSTON ― PAW Patrol Live!, with two more shows today at Boston’s Wang Theatre, sweeps kids and their adults up in a great pirate adventure.

As a sea of children spun their light-up toy souvenirs and waved their bubble guns in the air, bubbles gracefully climbed to the top of the beautiful mosaic Wang Theatre. All the while, kids (and adults) bopped along in their seats and sang along to the beloved PAW Patrol songs. In this interactive performance, the pup crew needs your help to get to the treasure before the corrupted Mayor Humdinger can get his paws on it. Can you identify the clues and catch that sneaky pirate parrot? “It’s all paws on deck.”

Although the pirate adventure spent just one weekend in Boston, the annual traveling show has appearances through April at theaters nationwide (perhaps a fun day while visiting grandparents?) Last year's adventure show was "Paw Patrol Live: Heroes Unite!" and played in Providence, R.I. in February 2023.

The show: "PAW Patrol Live! The Great Pirate Adventure,” live action show based on the Nickelodeon cartoon, is presented by the Boch Center- Wang Theatre.

What it’s about: A big celebration is underway for Pirate Day when duty calls, and the crew must rescue Cap’n Turbot from a mysterious place. That’s when the Paw Patrol team discovers the infamous Long John Larry’s pirate map, but they’ve got company. The evil Mayor Humdinger is on their tails (pun intended) and will go to extreme measures to find the treasure first. And the mayor’s not far behind. As they meet face-to-face on Long John Larry’s abandoned pirate ship, the key to the treasure is lost in the ocean. Mayor Humdinger wastes no time and dives in head-first after the key. Who will reach the treasure first? And are we sure it's the “treasure” we’re thinking of?

Highlights of the show: The set has a clever animated backdrop that matches action in the story. Whether watching Skye soar through the clouds, get transported to Long John Larry's pirate ship, or descend deep into the sea,  it was a unique experience.

The customs and props are exquisite. The cast is submersed in every beloved pup character, in these larger-than-life costumes. As they danced around the stage, all four legs danced on the floor and the people-powered “dogs” were even able to wink their eyes.

My son and I both agreed, our favorite scene was when they are underwater – because of how stunningly cool it looks. And the icing on the cake was when Mayor Humdinger emerged from the ocean complete with a seaweed beard and octopus on his top hat.

One more thing: Some of the dialogue was difficult to understand from multiple cast members.

Warnings of strobe lights are posted outside of the theater doors. As someone who is not sensitive to strobe lights, I found it quite uncomfortable when it glared directly into my eyes.

Souvenirs pricing ranges from $15 PAW Patrol ball, $20 stuffed Paw Patrol pup, or $30+ light-up toy and more.

See it or not: If your child is a Paw Patrol fanatic it is a must-see production. It was joyful alone to see how much fun these kids were having.

Worth noting: Children danced through the 15-minute intermission. The woman sitting next to us, Donna, brought her two-year-old grandson Lukas to the production while dad was at work as a Boston firefighter. Lukas was immersed in the play until the very end.

If you go: 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21, at the Boch Center Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116. Tickets start at $34- $94 depending on seating. You can purchase tickets at pawpatrollive.com, in person, or by calling the box office at 617-482-9393.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Review: Audience adds bubbles to 'Paw Patrol LIVE' pirate tale