When Saturday Morning TV Comes to Life on Stage
What happens when you take the wild, colorful energy of 1970s Saturday morning television and transform it into a live theatrical experience? You get Imagination Nation Super Station – Motion City’s unforgettable family-friendly production that brought audiences of all ages together for interactive storytelling magic.
This wasn’t just another children’s show. Motion City created something entirely unique: a live-action TV episode that existed only in the moment, crafted in real-time by our talented ensemble of actors, improvisers, puppeteers, and voice artists, with the audience serving as the creative driving force.
The Show That Never Was (Until It Was)
Drawing inspiration from beloved classics like H.R. Pufnstuf, The Banana Splits, and Pee-wee’s Playhouse, our production team captured that distinctive blend of fast-paced energy, vivid visuals, and delightfully unhinged creativity that made Saturday mornings special. But we gave it a modern twist, addressing the real challenges today’s kids face through the lens of playful, meaningful storytelling.
“As a kid I loved Saturday morning TV and now appreciate the way that silliness and humor can work for adults as well as kids,” reflected producer and director Jerry Witt. This philosophy became the heartbeat of every performance.
Technology Meets Imagination
Our innovative approach combined live performance with cutting-edge technology, seamlessly blending human performers with puppets and animated characters. Each show followed a familiar format while being completely unique, shaped by audience suggestions and real-time interaction.
No two performances were alike. Our audiences helped create episodes exploring everything from social media’s impact on friendships to environmental stewardship, from the power of honesty to the importance of community connection.
The Ensemble
Led by host Jon Thompson and featuring a diverse cast of top-notch performers, many from the
Westside Comedy Theater. They include Amelia Clover, Katrina Lofgren, Amanda Blake Davis, Mychael Hawk, Grey Wears, Vickie Eisenstein, Nicholas Kaufman, and Sherry Layne. We brought in guest performers like James Heaney and Kristen Cook. Every show became a collaborative celebration of creativity and spontaneity.
A Summer to Remember
Imagination Nation Super Station graced the stage at
Santa Monica Playhouse for several memorable Saturday mornings, creating a space where families could laugh together while exploring meaningful themes. For those who experienced our previous productions like Room 604 and Blockbuster, this show represented Motion City’s continued commitment to innovative, engaging theater that breaks down barriers between performers and audiences.
The magic of Saturday morning television lives on – not on your screen, but in the shared experience of live performance, where anything can happen and usually does.
Imagination Nation Super Station was produced and directed by Jerry Witt as part of Motion City’s commitment to creating family-friendly entertainment that brings communities together through the power of live theater.