If your kids are in love with Nickelodeon's "The Backyardigans," treat them to a live version of the popular show this weekend at the Chicago Theatre.

The charming adventurous characters spring to life on stage Saturday and Sunday in "The Backyardigans Live!: Tale of the Mighty Knights."

Children will meet Uniqua. Tyrone, Grabbing Goblin Austin, Flighty Fairy Tasha and others, as they get wrapped up in a mission to save and protect King Pablo's runaway egg, fighting a dragon along the way.

"The show has been a whole lot of fun for kids. We're getting a great response," said Lou Jacob, director of the live production.

"Kids have a great capacity to imagine and they'll go with you on an imaginative ride," Jacob said, adding young audience members are enthralled with seeing favorite characters in a different setting, away from their television sets.

The 'Mighty Knights' tale is based on a Nickelodeon special that aired in January.

As the father of 3-year-old twins, Jacob said he's enjoying the opportunity to direct the touring production.

" 'The Backyardigans' is one of the smartest shows for preschoolers on television. It doesn't talk down to them. The writing is very smart and the music is great," Jacob said.

In the live show, various genres of music will be heard, just as in the television program, which features a type of "mini musical" in every episode.

Jacob called bringing the story and characters to life on stage a "fun" challenge.

He said his twins, who saw the show twice in New York, were his own special focus group as he worked on the production.

"Tale of the Mighty Knights" features new original songs about friendship, courage and other qualities.

Jacob said while the show "doesn't hit the moral aspect too hard," the tale does put certain qualities that children understand into the spotlight.

"It's a story about loyalty and responsibility and what that means," he said.

Though this is the first children's show Jacob has directed, he said he loves having "a theatrical dialogue" with kids.

"They're so completely there with you. They're a very honest audience," he said.

During the context of the show, there's a chance for kids to interact with the characters on some levels.

"There are certain tasks kids will be called upon to do and they all get knighted at the beginning of the show. There's a lot of interaction in terms of call and response," the director said.

He said a child's enthusiasm for live productions brings back the very essence of theater.

"They come to the theater and act as if what they're seeing is really happening. But we all get the chance to play make-believe together," Jacob said.