WILLIAMSBURG — When “Paw Patrol Live” opens at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk this weekend, a Williamsburg native will be part of its cast.
Robert Gallant, who grew up in Toano, was exposed to theater at a young age by her mother, Linda, who would sing around the house and prepare shows as a theater teacher at New Kent High School.
Gallant attended Stonehouse Elementary School, Toano Middle School, and Warhill High School, and it was at Warhill where he discovered theater could be a possible career pathway.
“Whenever I hit high school, it became the main desire to make this a profession. I really wanted to pursue it and I just stated getting gigs here and there,” Gallant recalls.
Gallant began working as a scare actor at Busch Gardens in his teens. He also found a side job choreographing middle school musicals. Gallant continued working in theater throughout college and auditioned for “Paw Patrol Live” in April of 2023.
Gallant makes his national tour debut as Mayor Humdinger in “Paw Patrol Live.” The live show is a stage version of the hit Nickelodeon series and brings all of the characters to life. The four-show stop in Norfolk on Nov. 9 and 10 will see Gallant return to Hampton Roads for the first time.
“This performance in Norfolk really feels for me like I’ve come full circle. I get to perform in Chrysler Hall for the first time ever, which is one of the biggest theaters in the area. In a way, it feels like a really big step in my career and it’s exciting that friends and family get to see me perform in a national production. I hope that I inspire others and prove to them that being in a big show is something that can really be obtained,” Gallant said.
“Paw Patrol Live: Heroes Unite” follows Ryder and the Paw Patrol pups as they face their greatest challenge yet. When Mayor Humdinger clones Robo Dog, chaos ensues all over the world. It’s up to the Paw Patrol to catch the clones, rescue Robo Dog, and show that when the going gets “ruff,” lending a paw makes you the ultimate hero.
“The show is really cute and really encourages young audiences to be heroes in their own communities. We want the kids to come and have fun and be members of the Paw Patrol pack,” Gallant said.
Gallant will continue to play Mayor Humdinger in the show until the tour ends in June 2025.
Tickets for this weekend’s performances are still on sale through Ticketmaster. For more information on “Paw Patrol Live,” visit pawpatrollive.com.
