Who cannot think of one catchy jingle from the childhood favorite TV show School House Rock?

School House Rock Live comes to stage at UTM Feb. 26-29 in the Vanguard Theater. However, just as exciting is the fact that Scott Ferguson, the creator of School House Rock Live! has been on campus aiding with the production.

“I loved this as a kid. Why wouldn’t kids love it now?” said Ferguson, who brought the series to the stage.

Ferguson has had tremendous success with the musical. The series enjoyed a five-year run in Chicago, a year run in New York City Off-Broadway, and on national tours with Troupe America, Inc.

Ferguson spent two weeks working on the production with Vanguard and students earlier this semester.

“Opportunities for students to work one on one with noted professionals is of immense value to their education and growth as artists,” said professor Doug Cook.

Ken Zimmerman, UTM assistant professor of visual and theater arts, worked with Ferguson at Playhouse Square in Memphis.

Ferguson “is the first person of his caliber to visit the UT Martin theater department. Essentially, he is helping with the staging of the musical numbers using his original choreography and tailoring it to this production,” said Zimmerman.

Ferguson got the idea to take the animated TV show to stage shortly after finishing college in 1990. It took two years to get the rights to School House Rock.

He began by contacting ABC, and trying to get in touch with series creator George Newall. In 1993, Ferguson got a call from Newell, who asked if it was a live production that he wanted to do. When Ferguson said yes, Newell gave Ferguson his blessing to do the show and the work began.

The show was nearly an instant success. Although starting out with less than 20 people at a show in the first week of production, within a month they were selling out virtually every show.

“I just knew it was going to be a big hit,” said Ferguson.

The production finally got licensed to community theaters in 1995 and schools began making their own productions.

“The Vanguard production will be unique from other productions because I have recently updated it,” said Ferguson .

Ferguson has a bachelor’s degree in Speech/Theater from Northwestern University. He is currently artistic director of Theatrebam Chicago, a director and teacher with the National High School Institute of Northwestern University and an artistic associate at the About Face Theater.

Ticket prices for UTM’s production are $10 for adults and $5 for students and children.

The box office opens Feb. 23 from noon to 5 p.m., daily. For more information, call 731-587-7090.