Clifford the Big Red Dog Live! promises to make you feel like a kid again.

"The books have been around for 40 years, the cartoon for 10," Tom Zaizar, performance director for the tour, said, "so a lot of the kids 18 and older really know the story. A lot of these things from when they were young are cool again."

The show features Clifford and the Birdwell Island gang, who enter a contest hoping to win the lead spot in the "Birdwell Island Confetti Day Parade."

To win, the group must create and perform a play. When one character tries to be the star and fails, the audience learns that working together is the best way to reach a goal.

The portrayal of the Big Red Dog is made possible by an inflatable two-man costume.

"It takes two males to wear battery packs plugged into two fans," Zaizar said. "It's a beautiful costume and very lifelike. Because it's inflated, it takes on a whole different look."

Zaizar said Clifford the Big Red Dog Live! features live singing, a rarity for kids' shows. Clifford's voice is the only aspect of the show that's pre-recorded.

Aside from an entertaining stage show, there will also be audience interaction.

"We encourage kids to stand up and dance along," Zaizar said. "We want the kids to be engaged in the show and have a good time. Hopefully we'll inspire some of the little ones to be performers when they get older."

Joe Apfelbaum, programming manager for the State Theatre, said sales for the show have been mediocre. He hopes the community comes out for the performance because he is confident that they will enjoy it.

"It's Clifford, man. Clifford the Big Red Dog," Apfelbaum said. "I think the best part is that it's going to be here, not some arena. It's going to be very personal. This is just the best place I've seen to see any kind of entertainment. If the kids are close to the great Clifford, I think the kids will have a blast."

Show times are Saturday at 3 and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 and 5 p.m. Tickets are $29 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under.