Extinct too quickly

I have always loved dinosaurs.

Like many boys, while growing up, I had an entire collection of toy ones. Despite my young age and the length and complication of these prehistoric animals' names, I could recite the full names of the "mighty lizards" with ease.

All the more reason I was so excited to check out the new show at the United Center in Chicago, "Walking with Dinosaurs: The Live Experience," which opened Thursday and continues until Aug. 17.

And during the show, I counted 17 lumbering tributes to these reptile giants, who at one time roamed and ruled the earth.

In case you misssed Friday's On the Go cover spread about this short-visit show, it recently finished a run at Madison Square Garden. That was one of many city destinations on this new North American tour and producers boast that more than 1 million Americans have seen it since it arrived in the States in July 2007.

It actually originated in Australia, where it first came to life at Sydney's Acer Arena in January 2007.

The idea for the show came from a critically acclaimed BBC series of the same name, which blended elaborate special effects and high-end production quality to allow audiences a fair, balanced and educational opportunity to better understand the rogue's gallery of reptiles that once dominated all creation.

If you've ever wanted to jump into a Steven Spielberg blockbuster, this is your chance. Or, at least a pretty close representation of what it would be like.

In fact, many of the "movie magic" tricks used in that film -- also used to stun thrill-seekers in computer-controlled exhibits in Walt Disney World's EPCOT Center and other theme park attractions -- amount to the similar technology used in this event.

The quality of this show is top-notch. There's no denying that fact.

And the producers emphasize this is a show that is both educational and entertaining, unlike the "Jurassic Park" approach, which spins details for the sake of better intrigue.

Actually, the only human seen in this show is the narrator, who guides the audience through the experience with helpful facts and tips.

However, this is a very short show experience.

It's billed as having a 90-minute running time. At the press opening, it started 20 minutes late at 7:20 p.m. and broke for a 20-minute intermission at 7:55 p.m.. And by 8:35 p.m., the dinosaurs were all extinct and the show was over.

My math adds up to about a 70-minute show, at best.

"Walking with Dinosaurs -- The Live Experience" is directed by Scot Faris with the Creature Production Co.

Tickets range from $24.50, $39.50, $49.50 and $74.50.

FYI: Tickets are available at the box office, at Ticketmaster outlets, and at (312) 559-1212 or ticketmaster.com.

The lucky Horseshoe

You can check out my coverage and all the overnight details from Friday's grand opening gala and Bette Midler concert at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond in today's news section.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at ppotempa@nwitimes.com or 219.852.4327.

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