Audience keeps Wiggles on toes.

Byline: Nancy Sheehan

Hot potato! Hot potato! The Wiggles are coming to town.

That tuneful group of Aussies who are international headliners in the preschool entertainment scene will play the DCU Center in Worcester Saturday. The frolicsome foursome, the most successful family entertainment band in history, is in its 17th year of delighting children and parents with songs that are catchy, upbeat and, yes, educational. Known for their frequent touring and highly original, danceable ditties, this time out The Wiggles are returning to their archetypal roots with a show that focuses on traditional nursery rhymes generations of children have loved and learned from. They are calling the show Pop Go The Wiggles Live.

In their trademark crayon-colored skivvies of red, blue, purple and yellow, the band will proffer creative renditions of songs such as "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," "Skip to My Lou" and "Three Little Kittens." A sampling of The Wiggles' greatest hits from their gold and platinum records also will be part of the program. Recently, we interviewed lead singer Sam Moran (the yellow guy) and asked him what it is like to be a favorite serenader of the sippy-cup set and their older siblings (at least the ones still on the sunny side of kindergarten).

QWhat's it like being a Wiggle?

A"It's fantastic! We get to travel the world doing what we love to do. Performing for children and their families, entertaining them and making them smile."

QDo you actually like kids? Do you have any of your own?

A"Absolutely, I like children. I don't think you could do this job if you didn't like kids.

I do not have children of my own yet, but they are on the horizon I am sure."

QThey say kids are a tough audience. Do you find that to be true?

A"I think they are definitely a very honest audience. If you are not keeping them entertained or are not funny to them they will just turn around and walk away, or they will tell you that you are not funny. So yes, they are definitely a very honest audience, but through Anthony and Murray's early childhood education background we believe we've found a way to communicate with children effectively."

QWhat was your most moving interaction with a child or an audience?

A"Before the first performance in every city we do a meet and greet for disabled children. To be able to see that The Wiggles have played such a huge, positive part of their lives is always a moving experience. It's something we get to see every day."

Q"How did you get this job?

A"I was the understudy for Greg Page, the original Yellow Wiggle, for five years. Unfortunately he became ill and had to retire from The Wiggles, so I became the new Yellow Wiggle."

QYou always have to act upbeat on stage. What do you do on those inevitable days when you just don't feel like Mr. Sunshine?

A"It doesn't matter what happens backstage, as soon as you get out on stage you see the children's smiling faces and you realize that it is the only show that these children are going to see. They are so excited to see it and you want to give them the best show. You forget about everything else. That's what really drives you through the show."

Pop Go The Wiggles Live will be performed at 1:30 and 5 p.m. Saturday at the DCU Center, 50 Foster St., Worcester. Tickets are $38.50, $29.50, $24.50 and $18.50

ART: PHOTO