Young Riley Minor, an accomplished dancer and musical theater performer, plays the lead role of Hiccup, which is shared by Rarmian Newton, who received acclaim for his performance in the Australian production of “Billy Elliott The Musical.” American stunt performer Gemma Nguyen, a third degree Black Belt, plays Astrid, along with another Australian, Sarah McCreanor. Stalwart Australian actor Robert Morgan plays Stoick, Hiccup’s father and the rough and ready old school chieftain of the brawny Viking tribe. American Will Watkins, an accomplished fencer, stars as Gobber; French Kung Fu champion Godefroy Royckewaert plays Snotlout, with Texas hip hop dancer and rapper Dexter Mayfield as Fishlegs, among the cast members.
“At its heart, this is a beautiful story about the conflict and love between a father and son,” said Morgan. “This production really is a new type of theater on a grand scale, involving massive puppets, actors, hip hop dancing, and music. It’s a combination of a 3D film and theater that takes audiences into a whole diffrent direction of entertainment.”
“What DreamWorks has done,” said the classically trained Morgan who is performing in the U.S. for the first time, “is tell a great story highlighted by other interactive elements that have the ability to draw in the audience into another dimension. This is a powerful piece of extravagant storytelling on a grand scale. It’s been a real challenge for me and is great for my craft.”
Cast and crew consider this production to be theater reinvented for the 21st century. “You can think of this as theater in the round,” said Morgan. It’s just done an entirely different level. It’s a great story that makes you feel alive as good theater should.”
Step inside the dragon’s lair and see for yourself.

DreamWorks’ How To Train Your Dragon Live Spectacular
Thursday and Friday, Aug. 2-3, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 4, 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $23-$88, with a limited number of additional VIP experience packages also offered.