One of America's favorite game shows has hit the road! "The Price is Right," now in its 40th year on the air, is celebrating by creating a touring version of the live show - "The Price is Right Live."
The show, hosted by Emmy Award-winner Todd Newton, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Community Arts Center, 220 W. Fourth St.
The show will consist of five pricing games, contestant's row, name tags, the big wheel and the showcase showdown. The games that will be played are unknown until a few days before the show, but every show will feature the famous Plinko game.
Article Photos
PHOTO PROVIDED
“The Price is Right Live,” hosted by Emmy Award-winner Todd Newton, will visit the Community Arts Center, 220 W. Fourth St., at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14.
"It's very true to form," said Newton. "It's a great marriage of America's family TV game show and a great night out at the theater."
One major difference between the television show and the live show is, more contestants will have a chance to participate. Following each game, four contestants will be called down to contestant's row instead of only one. Audience members will even have the chance to win prizes right from their seats in between games.
Contestants for the show will be chosen randomly the day of the show. Everyone has an equal shot to be a contestant no matter where they sit or when they arrive, Newton said.
Newton said he is very proud of the prizes he gets to give away on the show, which include cash, appliances, trips and, of course, a new car.
"What I enjoy most about being a game show host is sharing the stage with a contestant when they win a prize that really means something to them," he said. "A sum of money that allows them to pay off a credit card, a car that allows them to get to a job, a vacation their family wouldn't normally be able to take. It's probably why I've devoted my life to hosting game shows. It's very true - emotional - genuine."
"The Price is Right Live" has been held in Reno, Nev.; Atlantic City, N.J.; and Las Vegas, Nev., for multiple-day or one-week runs for several years, but this is the first time for the show to do one night stints and then move on to the next town, according to Newton.
"I love it. This is the first time I've been able to live on a tour bus. I'm really digging it," Newton said. "I sleep great in hotels and buses, so it's really cool to do a show for 1,800 strangers and make new friends. It's quite an experience."
Newton is a father of two who likes to spend any free time he gets with his children. He likes to keep himself busy and also has been the host of other game shows such as "Family Game Night," "Whammy!," "Hollywood Showdown," "Gameshow Marathon" and "Instant Millionaire" and said what makes "The Price is Right Live" different from the others is the fact that it is several different shows in one.
"You're not just watching a Q&A trivia game, you're watching several different games and so many different aspects that engage and involve the viewer. I think that makes it special," Newton said.
Standing at 6-feet-3-inches tall, weighing 220 pounds, Newton said he is one of the larger game show hosts, but doesn't think that any other host has been picked up and swung aroundby contestants more times than he has.
"The craziest moments are when the contestant wins a prize and I see that look in their eyes," he said. "Sharing in that celebration is great ... I get chills every night on 'The Price is Right.' "
Newton recently won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host for his work on "Family Game Night." He also released a book this year titled "Life in the Bonus Round: A Game Show Host's Road to Success & Fulfillment." A portion of all of the proceeds from the book will benefit the children of Haiti by providing them with a pair of shoes for every book bought through the website at toddnew ton@me.com.
"I go to Haiti a few times a year," Newton said. "A lot of those kids, this is the first pair of shoes they have ever owned."
Newton said he is enjoying his time on the road going from town to town and meeting different people. The contestants are what keeps him "in the game."
"I play this game through the eyes of the contestants," he said. "I get to do this every night, but for the contestants, this is a once in a lifetime thing. We didn't come to town not to win."
Anyone interested in becoming a contestant on "The Price is Right Live" should fill out a registration card at the CAC outer lobby prior to the show at 4:30 p.m. Contestants must be 18 years or older.
For more information about "The Price is Right Live" or for tickets, visit www.caclive.com/index.php/theater/tpir.
