Mortal Kombat: Live Tour was a martial art theatrical stage show featuring Mortal Kombat characters, sound, and laser light effects on stage. The plot was based on three fighters rescuing their friends and retrieving a magic amulet from the evil master of Outworld, Shao Kahn, in order to save the Earth.
The show debuted at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on September 14, 1995, followed by a 200 city road trip into 1996. It replicated Mortal Kombat martial arts and video game moves on stage mixed with dancing and music. Lip synching were pre-recorded and used to demonstrate the official MK sound effects, though there was no graphic violence or Fatalities visible in the show. The audience participated by yelling "Run!" or "Kick him!" as part of the live action.
Plot
editTheatrical Mortal Kombat stage show that featured martial arts, sounds from the game and laser light effects. Three Earth warriors travel to Outworld to rescue their comrade and find an amulet that can defeat Shao Kahn and save Earth.
Cast
edit- Baraka #1 — Ryan Watson
- Baraka #2 — Allen Sandoval
- Jax #1 — Hakim Alston
- Jax #2 — Shah Alston
- Jax #3 — Tyrone C. Wiggins
- Johnny Cage #1 — Jeffrey D. Harris
- Johnny Cage #2 — Brad Halstead
- Johnny Cage #3 — Ted Nordblum
- Johnny Cage #4 — Jeff Durbin
- Johnny Cage #5 — Garry Waugh
- Kabal — Tracy Fleming
- Kano — Joseph "Eddie" Acavedo
- Kano#2 — Mark Chemeleski
- Nightwolf #1 — Jeffery D. Harris
- Nightwolf #2 — Ted Nordblum
- King Baraka — Percy Brown
- Kitana #1 — Jennifer DeCosta
- Kitana #2 — Lexi Alexander (credited as Lexi Mirai)[1][2]
- Liu Kang #1 — Carmichael Simon
- Liu Kang #2 — Jon Valera
- Liu Kang #3 — Allen Sandoval
- Liu Kang #4 — Michael Li
- Mileena — Jennifer DeCosta
- Mileena #2 — Lexi Alexander (credited as Lexi Mirai)
- Raiden — Garth Johnson
- Scorpion #1 — Anthony Demarco
- Scorpion #2 — Darius Wahrhaftig
- Scorpion #3 — Drew MacIver
- Shang Tsung #1 — Sidney S. Liufau
- Shang Tsung #2 — James Kim
- Shang Tsung #3 — Simon Kim
- Shang Tsung #4 — Michael Li
- Shang Tsung #5 — Jimim Kim
- Shang Tsung #6 — Drew MacIver
- Shao Kahn #1 — Jeffrey D. Harris
- Shao Kahn #2 — Ted Nordblum
- Sindel #1 — Eileen Weisinger
- Sindel #2 — June Castro
- Sonya #1 — Kerri Hoskins[3]
- Sonya #2 — Cathleen Ann Gardner
- Sub Zero #1 — Ryan Watson
- Sub Zero #2 — Darius Wahrhaftig
- Sub Zero #3 — Drew MacIver
Production
editThe lasers were produced by Laser Fantasy International of Seattle and operated by Dave Haskell and Chris Thornberry. A medium frame Spectra Physics and a 40 watt laser scope were used along with a custom fiber system for these effects. It was produced in part by "David Fishof Presents".[4][5]
Hakim Alston (Jax) played an Outworld warrior who was defeated by Liu Kang (Robin Shou) in the original MK movie a year earlier. Fight coordinator Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa also appeared in the movie as Shang Tsung.
Release
editTour dates
editMortal Kombat: Live Tour had two separate touring companies running simultaneously, which is why some dates are listed twice.
| Date | Venue | City |
|---|---|---|
| September 14, 1995 | Radio City Music Hall | New York, NY |
| September 23, 1995 | Hersheypark Arena | Hershey, PA |
| October 21, 1995 | Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim | Anaheim, CA |
| October 21, 1995 | George Mason University Patriot Center | Fairfax, VA |
| October 22, 1995 | Great Western Forum | Inglewood, CA |
| October 22, 1995 | US Air Arena | Landover, MD |
| January 13, 1996 | Wings Stadium | Kalamazoo, MI |
| January 17, 1996 | Breslin Center | Lansing, MI |
| January 21, 1996 | Riverfront Coliseum | Cincinnati, OH |
| February 22, 1996 | Roanoke Civic Center Coliseum | Roanoke, VA |
Reception
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2024) |
Critical response
editIn 2011, 1UP.com featured the show in the article "The Top Ten Times Mortal Kombat Went Wrong"[6] and GamesRadar ranked it as number one on the list of "most absurd Mortal Kombat offshoots".[7]
References
edit- ^ "Mortal Kombat: The Live Tour". Retrieved 7 January 2024 – via IMDb.
- ^ Podcast keramcast.com
- ^ Covert, Colin (1996-02-09). "She's no mere Mortal; Fridley native Kerri Hoskins puts edge on 'Sonya Blade'". Star Tribune. Archived from the original on 2012-10-21. Retrieved 2008-09-29.
- ^ "David Fishof Presents". David Fishof Presents. Retrieved 2014-01-19.
- ^ Riemenschneider, Chris (1995-08-24). "'Kombat' Set to Battle New Terrain-and Critics" (Interview). Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2014-01-19 – via Pqasb.pqarchiver.com.[dead link]
- ^ "The Top Ten Times Mortal Kombat Went Wrong". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
- ^ Chris Antista, The Top 7… Most absurd Mortal Kombat offshoots, GamesRadar, April 12, 2011.
External links
edit- Mortal Kombat: The Live Tour on the IMDb
- POP REVIEW; Heroes in Outworld, Fighting to Save the Earth, New York Times, September 16, 1995.