COLUMBIA -- Dinosaurs return to Earth in a live theatrical arena show "Walking with Dinosaurs -- The Arena Spectacular," based on the award-winning BBC Television series. Through the eyes and narration of the Paleontologist (the only human actor in the show), we experience the birth of dinosaurs and follow their evolution through the various eras of their existence on the planet.

The Paleontologist spends the show literally "walking with" these dinosaurs -- a device that shows the mammoth scale of the beasts to great effect. Through his dialogue, we learn about the various eras in the dinosaur's evolution, the climatic and tectonic changes that took place, and the reasons the dinosaurs survived to inhabit the earth for so long. In a series of dynamic scenes recreating with almost cinematic realism the interactions between dinosaurs, we see why the carnivorous dinosaurs evolved to walk on two legs, how the herbivores fended off the more agile predators and the need for their unique defenses.

The arena itself changes to depict the various environments of the prehistoric world. Peter England's set design incorporates large set pieces, projected images, inflatable vegetation and special effects to realize landscapes and climates. This, combined with John Rayment's lighting design, enables us to witness "live" the splitting of the earth's continents, and the transition from the arid desert landscape of the Triassic period to the lush green prairies and forests of the later Jurassic. We see oceans, volcanoes and a forest fire sequence before the ultimate effect of the massive comet strike that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs.

Seventeen life-like dinosaurs have been brought to life in the production by creature designer Sonny Tilders and a team of specialist engineers employing technologies and techniques from the world of film, animatronics, conventional puppetry and physical theater. The creatures range in size from the small hatchling puppets, who appear out of a nest of eggs, to the titans like the Brachiosaurus and the ferocious Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Tickets are $19.50 to $59.50 and are available online at coloniallifearena.com, by phone at 1-866-4SC-TIXX, and in person at the Colonial Life Arena box office or at Columbia and Lexington Play It Again Sports stores.

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