Choo-Choo Soul pulls into Newton Theatre
Genevieve Goings has one bit of bad news for anyone who plans to attend a live “Choo-Choo Soul” show: No cartoon train will appear on stage.
“But that’s okay,” says Goings. “The show isn’t about the train. It’s about the journey.”
Goings knows about journeys. Since 2006, she has been the conductor of “Choo-Choo Soul.” The series of short music videos combining live action and animation have aired on both the Disney Channel and Disney Junior Channel.
In addition, Goings serves as the voice of Radio Disney Junior. She also performs as part of the live “Choo-Choo Soul” show around the world. Her next stop: the Newton Theatre, where her troupe will perform two shows on Saturday, October 4.
Goings says that life on the train has been exhilarating. “I love going out on the road, meeting families,” she says.
Besides singing and serving as host, Goings is accompanied by the Choo-Choo Dance Crew. “Each dancer is well-versed in difference styles,” she says.
“This is a sing-along/dance-along show,” Goings says. “I become the train conductor, but I also become a music conductor.”
Goings’ journey as the conductor of “Choo-Choo Soul” started in a recording studio in the San Francisco area in 2004. At the time, she was contributing to the soundtrack for a video game, “ToeJam & Earl III: Mission to Earth.”
The game developer, Greg Johnson, was working with sound designer Burke Treischmann and Goings on the game’s soundtrack when he conceived a side project.
“Greg’s son loves trains, so Greg got the idea for this cool train that had hip-hop music,” she says. Quickly, Johnson, Treischmann, and Goings recorded a 16-song CD that was released independently.
“We thought it would just be a music thing,” Goings said. “But then the folks at Disney heard it and wanted to buy it and re-release it.”
At Disney’s suggestion, “Choo-Choo Soul” became a series of short music videos. “Disney suggested me as the conductor,” Goings said. She was joined by Constantine “DC” Abramson, a dancer and “human beatbox” who dressed as an engineer.
The guiding purpose behind “Choo-Choo Soul” has been the creation of music that all ages can enjoy.
“We have a contemporary, urban feel,” Goings says. “When we play live, we’ll see middle-school kids coming with their younger brothers and sisters. And the older kids are not rolling their eyes. They love the music.”
Goings says the appeal does span generations. “We’re marrying the classic Disney heritage with modern sounds,” she says. “I love being able to sing songs like ‘A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes; and ‘When You Wish Upon a Star.’ ”
“My big thing is that I don’t sing down to the children,” Goings says. “Kids realize when you’re saying, ‘Oh, you’re just a kid.’ They appreciate the fact that I don’t do that.”
Though no new “Choo-Choo Soul” videos are being produced, Goings continues to maintain a fast-paced schedule. Besides her live appearances and her role as the voice of Radio Disney Junior, she has released her own CD, “Do You Know?”
Looking back over the past decade, Goings can only marvel at how much she has done. “I truly believe that this is what I was meant to be doing,” she says. “I get to see a mix of kids and families loving this music. I’ve been so lucky.”
CHOO-CHOO SOUL
WHAT: Led by conductor Genevieve Goings, this family-friendly troupe brings a hip-hop beat to original songs and Disney classics, including “Under the Sea” and “When You Wish Upon a Star.”
WHEN: 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, October 4
WHERE: Newton Theatre, 234 Spring St., Newton
TICKETS: $17
INFORMATION: 973-383-3700 or www.thenewtontheatre.com.