'The Price is Right Live' to make stop in Cape Girardeau

"The Price is Right Live" is coming to Cape Girardeau's Show Me Center at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Host Todd Newton said he's really looking forward to being in Cape Girardeau.

"I'm excited for this show because I grew up in St, Louis, so it's a nice homecoming for me," he said, adding his parents will be in the audience that night, so he has extra reason to be at his best.

In his career, Newton said, he's been a host for E! Entertainment Network, done voiceover work, won a Daytime Emmy Award, written a book about his entertainment industry experience and had many other great experiences, but he said game shows are his first love.

"I hosted my first game show, 'Hollywood Showdown,' in 1999. Immediately from the first day on set, I felt right at home," he said.

"Game shows encompass everything I love about the entertainment industry," Newton said. "I'm interacting with a contestant living out a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Newton said "The Price is Right Live" show is mostly similar to the television show fans have known and loved for 45 years.

"I tell people the differences are few, and the similarities are petty much endless," Newton said, but there are key differences.

"One major difference is, the show is not televised, it's not an audition to be on television, nothing like that. It's a live stage version of America's longest-running game show, produced by the same people who produce the TV show."

Employees of the show are game-show fans first, game-show employees second, Newton said.

"Authenticity is really key to us," he said. "What you've loved on TV for 45 years is exactly what you'll see in Cape."

Newton said another key difference is, they aren't limited to 60 minutes running time the way the televised show is.

"No two shows are the same, because no two audiences are the same," he said, adding he's done shows that run 90 minutes, shows that run two hours.

"It's an exciting night out at the theater," Newton said. "The energy really makes it something special for game-show fans."

The other key difference is, all contestants are chosen completely at random, drawn from every eligible contestant.

"There's no pre-screening," he said. "Everyone has an equal shot to come up on stage and play."

Newton said he feels very fortunate to be with this show, currently in its 15th year touring North America.

"I was mentored by Bob Barker," he said of the TV show's original host.

"'The Price is Right' has always been in me, been my focal point," he said.

"When I walk through those iconic doors, play games like Plinko, Cliffhangers, spin the big wheel -- every time I walk on the stage, I'm really living the dream," Newton said.

Newton said Cape Girardeau is the only Missouri stop on this spring's tour, and he's looking forward to being back in Missouri.

"I'm excited to see friends and family, meet new friends and show Cape Girardeau what our show is about," he said.

Tickets cost $29, $39 and $49 depending on seating location and are available at the Show Me Center box office, online at www.showmecenter.biz or by calling (573) 651-5000.

mniederkorn@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630

Pertinent address:

1333 N. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.