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Wild Kratts Live in Portland, OR 9/24/16
Wild Kratts Live in Portland, OR 9/24/16
Photo: Jason Quigley
Wild Kratts Live in Portland, OR 9/24/16
Wild Kratts Live in Portland, OR 9/24/16
Photo: Jason Quigley
Wild Kratts Live in Portland, OR 9/24/16
Wild Kratts Live in Portland, OR 9/24/16
Photo: Jason Quigley
John Fogerty is the latest announcement for the summer lineup at SPAC on July 29. Keep clicking for more concerts and shows coming soon.
John Fogerty is the latest announcement for the summer lineup at SPAC on July 29. Keep clicking for more concerts and shows coming soon.
Photo: Jeff Kravitz, Getty
Gabriel Iglesias, April 19, Palace Theatre."Fluffy" comedian on "One Show Fits All" world tour.
Gabriel Iglesias, April 19, Palace Theatre.
"Fluffy" comedian on "One Show Fits All" world tour.
Photo: Maarten De Boer /Getty Images
The Mountain Goats, April 21, Upstate Concert Hall. John Darnielle and band coming off new album "Goths."
The Mountain Goats, April 21, Upstate Concert Hall.
John Darnielle and band coming off new album "Goths."
Photo: Jeremy Lange
Brad Mehldau Trio, April 22, The Egg.
Prolific pianist ropes contemporary music into jazz catalog.
Brad Mehldau Trio, April 22, The Egg.
Prolific pianist ropes contemporary music into jazz catalog.
They Might Be Giants, April 22, The Egg.Adult-friendly music for children and vice versa.
They Might Be Giants, April 22, The Egg.
Adult-friendly music for children and vice versa.
Gov't Mule, April 26, Palace Theatre.Black Stone Cherry opens for Warren Haynes and Co.
Gov't Mule, April 26, Palace Theatre.
Black Stone Cherry opens for Warren Haynes and Co.
Kansas, April 27, The Egg. Classic rock staples still going strong after four decades.
Kansas, April 27, The Egg.
Classic rock staples still going strong after four decades.
Photo: Contributed Photo/Not For Resale
John Popper, May 3, The Egg.Blues Traveler frontman bringing "The Hits, The Stories, The Experience."
John Popper, May 3, The Egg.
Blues Traveler frontman bringing "The Hits, The Stories, The Experience."
Photo: Michael P. Farrell
Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul, May 4, Palace Theatre.E Street Band guitarist steps out of his 'Underground Garage.'
Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul, May 4, Palace Theatre.
E Street Band guitarist steps out of his 'Underground Garage.'
Photo: Carlo Allegri
Brandi Carlile, May 6, Palace Theatre.Singer-songwriter touring in support of "By The Way, I Forgive You" album.
Brandi Carlile, May 6, Palace Theatre.
Singer-songwriter touring in support of "By The Way, I Forgive You" album.
Photo: Courtesy Of Palace Theatre
Sevendust, May 9, Upstate Concert Hall. Metal veterans have Clifton Park date just before new album release.
Sevendust, May 9, Upstate Concert Hall.
Metal veterans have Clifton Park date just before new album release.
Photo: Courtesy / Courtesy
Albany Tulip Festival, May 12, Washington Park. White Denim headlines 70th annual spring festival.
Albany Tulip Festival, May 12, Washington Park. White Denim headlines 70th annual spring festival.
Photo: John Carl D'Annibale, Albany Times Union
Yanni, May 13, Proctors.Greek icon celebrating 25th anniversary of landmark Acropolis concert.
Yanni, May 13, Proctors.
Greek icon celebrating 25th anniversary of landmark Acropolis concert.
Kiefer Sutherland, May 17, The Egg.
Action star gets to relax with roots band.
Kiefer Sutherland, May 17, The Egg.
Action star gets to relax with roots band.
Nick Swardson, May 18, The Egg.Comedian in Adam Sandler's company on "Too Many Smells 2018 Tour."
Nick Swardson, May 18, The Egg.
Comedian in Adam Sandler's company on "Too Many Smells 2018 Tour."
Photo: TIBRINA HOBSON, AFP/Getty Images
Justin Townes Earle, May 20, The Egg.Son of Steve continues family's roots tradition.
Justin Townes Earle, May 20, The Egg.
Son of Steve continues family's roots tradition.
Photo: Joshua Black Wilkins
Kevin Hart, May 25, SPAC. The comedian is bringing his "Irresponsible Tour" to Saratoga.
Kevin Hart, May 25, SPAC. The comedian is bringing his "Irresponsible Tour" to Saratoga.
Photo: Copyright: © 2016 Universal Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Primus and Mastodon, May 25, Cool Insuring Arena.Eccentric rockers get Grammy-winning metal band to open in Glens Falls.
Primus and Mastodon, May 25, Cool Insuring Arena.
Eccentric rockers get Grammy-winning metal band to open in Glens Falls.
Photo: Ethan Miller, Getty Images
Jack White, May 27, Brewery Ommegang. Outdoor concert in Cooperstown as part of tour supporting upcoming album.
Jack White, May 27, Brewery Ommegang.
Outdoor concert in Cooperstown as part of tour supporting upcoming album.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen, Associated Press
Marcia Ball, June 1, The Upper Room.Gulf Coast blues in downtown Albany.
Marcia Ball, June 1, The Upper Room.
Gulf Coast blues in downtown Albany.
Kendrick Lamar, June 9, SPAC
Part of Lamar's "Championship Tour"
Kendrick Lamar,
June 9, SPAC
Part of Lamar's "Championship Tour"
Photo: Brian Van Der Brug, TNS
Dead & Company,June 11, SPAC. Featuring John Mayer, Bob Weir and more.
Dead & Company,
June 11, SPAC. Featuring John Mayer, Bob Weir and more.
Photo: Hans Pennink
Vance Joy, June 11, Palace Theatre.Singer-songwriter touring in support of "Nation of Two" album.
Vance Joy, June 11, Palace Theatre.
Singer-songwriter touring in support of "Nation of Two" album.
Photo: Nicole Boliaux, The Chronicle
Photo: John Nash / Hearst Connecticut Media
Roger Daltrey, June 15, Tanglewood.The Who's frontman performs "Tommy" with the Boston Pops.
Roger Daltrey, June 15, Tanglewood.
The Who's frontman performs "Tommy" with the Boston Pops.
Photo: Connor Radnovich, The Chronicle
The LSD Tour, June 15, Bethel Woods.Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle and Dwight Yoakam team up.
The LSD Tour, June 15, Bethel Woods.
Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle and Dwight Yoakam team up.
David Crosby, June 16, Tanglewood.Folk-rock legend shares stage with Mary Chapin Carptenter.
David Crosby, June 16, Tanglewood.
Folk-rock legend shares stage with Mary Chapin Carptenter.
Grizzly Bear, June 16, MASS MoCA. Indie rockers playing a handful of US dates in between world touring.
Grizzly Bear, June 16, MASS MoCA.
Indie rockers playing a handful of US dates in between world touring.
Photo: Tom Hines, RCA Records
Mountain Jam, June 17, Hunter Mountain.Jack Johnson, Sturgill Simpsons and Alt-J headlining three-day festival.
Mountain Jam, June 17, Hunter Mountain.
Jack Johnson, Sturgill Simpsons and Alt-J headlining three-day festival.
Photo: Silvia Meder Lilly
Anthony Jeselnik, June 15, The Egg.'Offensive' comedian on Funny Games World Tour.
Anthony Jeselnik, June 15, The Egg.
'Offensive' comedian on Funny Games World Tour.
Stephen Stills and Judy Collins, June 17, Tanglewood.Singer-wrongwriter legends touring after "Everybody Knows" album.
Stephen Stills and Judy Collins, June 17, Tanglewood.
Singer-wrongwriter legends touring after "Everybody Knows" album.
Photo: ANNA WEBBER, TNS
Alison Krauss, June 19, Tanglewood.Country artist with 27 Grammys.
Alison Krauss, June 19, Tanglewood.
Country artist with 27 Grammys.
Photo: Gerald Herbert, Associated Press
Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival, June 23-24, Saratoga Performing Arts Center.Chris Botti, Herbie Hancock, Jon Batiste, Mavis Staples and Esperanza Spalding among big names over two days.
Freihofer's Saratoga Jazz Festival, June 23-24, Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
Chris Botti, Herbie Hancock, Jon Batiste, Mavis Staples and Esperanza Spalding among big names over two days.
Photo: John Carl D'Annibale
Audra McDonald, June 24, Tanglewood.Star of stage and screen backed by Boston Pops.
Audra McDonald, June 24, Tanglewood.
Star of stage and screen backed by Boston Pops.
David Blaine, June 26, Palace Theatre.Master magician brings illusions to Albany.
David Blaine, June 26, Palace Theatre.
Master magician brings illusions to Albany.
Photo: Billy Calzada, Staff / San Antonio Express-News
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, June 29, Tanglewood.The biggest name in progressive bluegrass.
Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, June 29, Tanglewood.
The biggest name in progressive bluegrass.
Ray LaMontagne, June 29, MASS MoCA. Singer-songwriter also performing with Neko Case at Brewery Ommegang in cooperstown on July 4.
Ray LaMontagne, June 29, MASS MoCA.
Singer-songwriter also performing with Neko Case at Brewery Ommegang in cooperstown on July 4.
Photo: John Nash
The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan, June 30, SPAC.
The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan, June 30, SPAC.
Photo: Michael Ochs Archives
Ry Cooder, July 1, Tanglewood. Slide guitar master playing with Emmylou Harris.
Ry Cooder, July 1, Tanglewood.
Slide guitar master playing with Emmylou Harris.
Steve Miller Band, July 2, Tanglewood. Peter Frampton opens on classic rock night in Berkshires.
Steve Miller Band, July 2, Tanglewood.
Peter Frampton opens on classic rock night in Berkshires.
Photo: Daniel Knighton, Getty Images
Tedeschi Trucks Band, July 3, SPAC.Drive-By Truckers bring even more Southern rock guitar.
Tedeschi Trucks Band, July 3, SPAC.
Drive-By Truckers bring even more Southern rock guitar.
James Taylor, July 3-4, Tanglewood.Home-field advantage for Berkshires resident.
James Taylor, July 3-4, Tanglewood.
Home-field advantage for Berkshires resident.
Photo: Michael Loccisano
Rascal Flatts, July 7, SPAC. The band will headline CountryFest this summer.
Rascal Flatts, July 7, SPAC. The band will headline CountryFest this summer.
Photo: Chris Pizzello
Courtney Barnett, July 12, MASS MoCA. Wry indie-rocker with new album.
Courtney Barnett, July 12, MASS MoCA.
Wry indie-rocker with new album.
Photo: Frazer Harrison, Getty Images For Coachella
Photo: Jason Koerner, Getty Images For E11EVEN
Andy Borowitz, July 13, Proctors
The New Yorker satirist is on his “Make America Less Embarrassing Again” tour.
Andy Borowitz, July 13, Proctors
The New Yorker satirist is on his “Make America Less Embarrassing Again” tour.
Photo: Contributed Photo
JD McPherson, July 24, Club Helsinki. Roots rocker plays Hudson after selling out Troy's Hangar.
JD McPherson, July 24, Club Helsinki. Roots rocker plays Hudson after selling out Troy's Hangar.
Photo: Samantha Franklin
Kenny Wayne Shephed and the Beth Hart Band, July 27, Palace Theatre.Double bill of blues in Albany.
Kenny Wayne Shephed and the Beth Hart Band, July 27, Palace Theatre.
Double bill of blues in Albany.
Photo: Facebook.com/kennywayneshepherd
Chase Rice, July 27, Capital Hills in Albany as part of the Fuccillo Kia Classic of New York. The country singer-songwriter is touring on the release of his album "Lambs & Lions."
Chase Rice, July 27, Capital Hills in Albany as part of the Fuccillo Kia Classic of New York.
The country singer-songwriter is touring on the release of his album "Lambs & Lions."
Photo: Contributed Photo
John Fogerty, July 29, SPAC.
John Fogerty, July 29, SPAC.
Photo: John Shearer
Slayer, Aug. 1, Times Union Center.Also slated to appear: Lamb of God, Anthrax, Testament and Napalm Death.
Slayer, Aug. 1, Times Union Center.
Also slated to appear: Lamb of God, Anthrax, Testament and Napalm Death.
Photo: Slayer (from Slayer.net)
Blondie, Aug. 3, MASS MoCA. Deborah Harry brings huge '80s hits to Joe's Field.
Blondie, Aug. 3, MASS MoCA.
Deborah Harry brings huge '80s hits to Joe's Field.
Photo: Gary Fountain, For The Chronicle
Photo: Luke Fontana / Contributed Photo
Steve Martin and Martin Short, Sept. 2, Tanglewood.Comic legends team up for "An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life" with the Steep Canyon Rangers.
Steve Martin and Martin Short, Sept. 2, Tanglewood.
Comic legends team up for "An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life" with the Steep Canyon Rangers.
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Karen Warren, Staff
Thomas Rhett, Sept. 22, Times Union Center.Albany arena stop for country singer on "Life Changes" tour.
Thomas Rhett, Sept. 22, Times Union Center.
Albany arena stop for country singer on "Life Changes" tour.
Photo: Wade Payne, AP
Alice Cooper, Oct. 4, Palace Theatre.
"Paranormal Evening" with shock-rock legend.
Alice Cooper, Oct. 4, Palace Theatre.
"Paranormal Evening" with shock-rock legend.
Hot Tuna, Oct. 14, The Egg.Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady go acoustic.
Hot Tuna, Oct. 14, The Egg.
Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady go acoustic.
Photo: Larry Hulst, Getty Images
Willie Nelson and Neil Young, September 23, SPAC. The legends will team up for the "Outlaw Festival."
Willie Nelson and Neil Young, September 23, SPAC. The legends will team up for the "Outlaw Festival."
Photo: Jason DeCrow
Justin Timberlake, October 20, Times Union Center. The pop superstar is bringing his "Man of the Woods Tour" to Albany.
Justin Timberlake, October 20, Times Union Center. The pop superstar is bringing his "Man of the Woods Tour" to Albany.
Photo: Christopher Polk, Staff
Brian Regan, Oct. 20, Palace Theatre. Universally appreciated comedian returns to Albany.
Brian Regan, Oct. 20, Palace Theatre.
Universally appreciated comedian returns to Albany.
America, Oct. 27, The Egg. '70s soft-rock hitmakers.
America, Oct. 27, The Egg. '70s soft-rock hitmakers.
Photo: Tour Design / Contributed Photo
Metallica, Oct. 29, Times Union Center. Metal icons have Albany stop on 'WorldWired' tour.
Metallica, Oct. 29, Times Union Center.
Metal icons have Albany stop on 'WorldWired' tour.
Photo: Evan Agostini
Elton John, March 1, 2019, Times Union CenterPart of his final tour, "Farewell Yellow Brick Road."
Elton John, March 1, 2019, Times Union Center
Part of his final tour, "Farewell Yellow Brick Road."
Photo: Paul Buckowski
Brothers being 'Wild Kratts' bringing live show to Palace
ALBANY – A wise man or woman once said, “You can’t fake the funk.”
It’s true in music and in life. It’s most certainly true in the world of children’s programming, where Chris Kratt, one half of PBS’ “Wild Kratts,” definitely isn’t faking it. The same enthusiasm he brings to presenting wildlife stories with his brother Martin is just as palpable over the phone as it at 7:30 a.m. on WMHT.
If you open a conversation by mentioning how your 4-year old son wants to know more about how gorillas and orangutans swing from tree-to-tree, Kratt comes to life.
“We can talk about orangutans all day,” he enthused.
If You Go
Wild Kratts Live
When: 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 18
Where: Palace Theatre, 19 Clinton Ave., Albany
Tickets: $32-$48
More info: palacealbany.org
“Actually, gorillas stay around the ground a lot because they’re too heavy,” Kratt explained. “Orangutans are just about the largest animals to live in trees. They move through the forest by actually bending the trees, using a tree-bending locomotion.”
The brothers split writing and directing duties on "Wild Kratts," which has now run for 5 seasons and 122 episodes. They've also put together a live stage show called "Wild Kratts Live" that's coming to the Palace Theatre in Albany on the Wednesday, April 18.
The Kratt brothers’ love of wildlife dates back to childhood. Their family owned property in Vermont and each summer, they’d take a trip up to it from their New Jersey home. There was no house on the land, so the Kratt clan would bring a “pop up trailer and a bunch of tents” and spend their summer vacations hiking and exploring.
In college, the pair pursued their love of wildlife academically, Chris as a biology major at Carleton College in Minnesota, and Martin as a zoologist major at North Carolina's Duke University. When it came time to how to put their degrees to use, they got creative.
“We said, ‘Wouldn’t it be awesome to make wildlife documentaries?,’” Chris Kratt recalled. As they discussed this option, they realized “kids like wildlife more than anything,” but the bulk of nature-themed programming was more adult-centric.
So they bought a camcorder, Chris got a grant from Carleton and the brothers “just started making videos we thought would be fun for kids.”
Learning to edit videos using a VCR in their parents’ basements, the Kratts honed their craft for a solid five years before getting a series, the live-action exploration “Kratts’ Creatures.” After that came the spinoff “Zoboomafoo” and the teen-friendly National Geographic series “Be the Creature.” But it wasn’t until coming up with the live action-animation mix of “Wild Kratts” in 2011 that they found a formula that worked best for them.
“There were things we wanted to say, but we just couldn’t film them,” Kratt said, using an underwater battle between a sperm whale and a giant squid as something that happens in nature, but is too difficult to film. “Part of the reason for ‘Wild Kratts’ as animated is that we could show whatever we wanted.”
The program starts with the Kratts on location, where they discuss an animal and what makes it unique. They then ponder on what it would be like if humans could imitate that specific capability and the show pivots to animation. The Kratts, using “Creature Power Suits” that replicate the look and actions of the animal, then work to protect it in the wild from poachers or other villainous sorts. Those suits play a role in the live show, Kratt said.
The decision to present items like the way a falcon uses gravity to accelerate for flight or an electric eel has “natural batteries” as special powers was made to present scientific and natural concepts in a format kids could easier digest and relate with.
“We looked at it in terms of creature powers,” Kratt explained. “What kid hasn’t wanted to run as fast as a cheetah or climb walls like a gecko?"
“It enables us to make a more story-driven show,” he continued. “Animation is a better medium for storytelling. It’s also very fun, a fun type of challenge to take these concepts and make them accessible.”
The positive feedback Kratt has received about the live presentation and television show from parents has let him know their enthusiasm is contagious.
“It’s a dream come true for us, a dream job,” Kratt enthused. “Lots of families thank us and tell us how they go on creature adventures of their own.
“This is what we love to do and we get to share our interest and enthusiasm with our fans,” he continued. “It’s a real fun time.”
Jim Shahen Jr. is a frequent contributor to the Times Union.
