New VeggieTales® Easter Movie Features American Idol Finalist Melinda Doolittle
In their first Easter release since 2004’s “An Easter Carol”, the VeggieTales feature an “American Idol” finalist, Melinda Doolittle.
Out this Saturday, March 5th on their website and in Christian stores, the new Big Idea Entertainment feature “’Twas the Night Before Easter” examines the importance of helping others and serving those in need while exploring the real meaning of Easter based on Mark 10:45, which says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
“We hatched ‘Twas The Night Before Easter as a holiday surprise for families,” said Leslie Ferrell, General Manager of Big Idea Entertainment. “This title follows the huge sales success our first Easter-themed release, An Easter Carol, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to deliver a new DVD timed to the holiday this year. It was truly a rewarding experience working with Melinda Doolittle, and we think fans are going to love her character, Cassie Cassava, just as much as her wonderful singing!”
In a behind-the-scenes interview on the DVD, Doolittle expresses how thrilled she is to be a part of the project. “My very favorite moment is when Cassie is trying to sing the “Up with Bunnies” song,” she says. “It’s just a big hot mess but she’s trying to make it work.”
In the story, reporter Marlee Meade, played by Petunia Rhubarb, is trying to save an old theatre from being torn down, so she cooks up a scheme to put on an elaborate performance called “Up with Bunnies” to help raise money to prevent the imminent demolition. She tells everyone Cassie is coming back home for Easter and will be performing at the play, when, of course, Cassie has no idea about the play.
Hilarity ensues and then, disaster. Marlee must rely on others to help her after her plan to help others literally comes crashing down.
In an effort to build awareness on how families can better help those in need, Big Idea is partnering with World Vision (www.worldvision.org), an organization that offers child sponsorship programs. Child sponsorship packets for World Vision will be available at participating stores wherever there are VeggieTales Easter displays and World Vision displays. The Easter DVD will also include a World Vision promotional video with a special message from Bob and Larry as an added feature.
The DVD also features many other “egg-stras” including:
- Audio Commentary
- “The Hopperena” Silly Songs Sing-Along
- Behind the voice of “Cassie” with Melinda Doolittle
- Larry’s backstage pass to “VeggieTales Live!”
- “Easter Cards” Interactive Matching Game
Also out on March 5th is a new musical CD “VeggieTales®: Hosanna! Today’s Top Worship Songs for Kids!,” which features many Christian artists singing with the VeggieTales gang.
The CD features the vocal talents of GRAMMY and Dove Award-winning recording artists Amy Grant and Casting Crowns’ Mark Hall, and was produced by critically-acclaimed producer and musician Scott Williamson.
Priced at just $9.99, the CD boasts ten all new easy-to-sing worship favorites made popular by some of today’s top Christian worship artists – sung by beloved VeggieTales characters and kids just for kids.
“I think this is a wonderful opportunity to introduce a new generation of kids to a lifestyle of worship through music,” says Amy Grant. “VeggieTales always finds a way to present Biblical messages to children in ways that are fun, entertaining and engaging. My hope for this project is that it provides a connect point for parents and kids to worship together and discuss what it means to be a child of God.”
Big Idea Entertainment is the leading faith-based studio and producer of children’s and family programming, characters and brands. Since 1993, Big Idea’s best-selling animated series VeggieTales has sold 54+ million videos, 13 million books and more than 7 million CDs. VeggieTales and Big Idea’s property, 3-2-1 Penguins!, enjoyed four seasons as top-rated series on NBC Saturday mornings, Telemundo and ION TV via the qubo children’s programming block.
For more information on Big Idea Entertainment, visit: www.bigidea.com. To read a Family First interview with VeggieTales Co-creator Mike Nawrocki, check this out.
