Sgt. Singer's Pizza Circus: Difference between revisions

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Sgt. Singer's Pizza Circus (styled as Sgt. Singer's Spectacular Star Studded Circus Pizza Show) was a chain of family entertainment centers that were best known for their animatronic bands manufactured by Creative Presentations and their massive arcade selections.

History

Nickels and Dimes Incorporated

Nickels and Dimes Incorporated (NDI) is an entertainment company founded by Craig Singer sometime around 1972 in Carrollton, Texas.^[1] NDI was best known as the operator of Tilt arcades and Gold Mine arcades throughout the 1970's and 1980's.

Sgt. Singer's Spectacular Star Studded Circus Pizza Show

Taking a page from the recent successes of Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre and ShowBiz Pizza Place, Craig Singer established Sgt. Singer's Spectacular Star Studded Circus Pizza Show in Pasadena, Texas by 1982.^[2] Although unconfirmed, newspapers mark early operations of the chain to be around March 1, 1982. Likewise to competitors, the establishment offered pizza, beer, arcade games, and animatronic shows as the main attraction. Animatronics for Sgt. Singer's were manufactured by Creative Presentations, Inc. of Schaumburg, Illinois.

Sgt. Striper's and the Closure of Sgt. Singer's Pizza Circus

Despite its moderate success as a small regional chain, NDI ultimately shifted its focus back to standard arcades. This meant Sgt. Singer's was now an afterthought to the company, leading to the discontinuation of new locations. Creative Presentations, left with an abundant stock of unused shows, retained all rights to the characters and began selling their stock to other clients. The band, now rebranded as Sgt. Striper's Review, was sold to be versatile in theme. These various themes included:

Sgt. Striper's Circus Band (Distributed by Okamoto Amusements in Japan^[3])
Sgt. Striper's Beach Bums (Also distributed by Okamoto Amusements in Japan)
Sgt. Striper's Country Western Show

By this point in time, the Sgt. Singer's Pizza Circus chain had officially been defunct, with the final store's speculated closure to be August 7, 1991.

Characters

Sgt. Singer / Sgt. Striper

(Voiced by Mark Brink) A tiger on acoustic guitar who fearlessly, "leads his troops," in a menagerie of musical entertainment. The character's name was initially named after creator, Craig Singer, before being renamed Sgt. Striper for wide distribution.^[4]

P.T. Bearum / Libby Beara'ce

(Voiced by Lee Pelty) Bearum enjoys "tinkling on his keys" with his western piano. His original name is a pun on that of American showman and politician, Phineas Taylor Barnum, who was best known for founding the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Similarly to Sgt. Singer and Pounce D'Lion, Bearum was later renamed to Libby Beara'ce (pronounced li·behr·aa·chee), a pun on American pianist and actor, Liberace.

Pounce D' Lion / Richard D. Lionhearted

(Originally voiced by Dennis Kelly, and later by Larry Moran) Pounce is a lion who jams on an electric guitar. Despite the origins behind his original name (a pun on Spanish conquistador, Juan Ponce de León) Pounce spoke in a British accent provided by Larry Moran (his second voice). Similarly to Sgt. Singer and P.T. Bearum, Pounce was later renamed to Richard D. Lionhearted, due to Creative Presentations selling Sgt. Striper's shows to other clients.

Dolly Porker

(Voiced by Martha Webster) Dolly is a picky piggy who can be very particular with her venue of performance. Her name is a pun on Dolly Parton, though doesn't resemble her namesake besides that. She has been said to have been placed on Stage Right.

Pete and Repete

Not to be confused with Creative Engineering's Pete Thornsberry and Repeat Thornsberry of the Hard Luck Bears, Pete (an elephant) and Repete (a mouse) were supposedly a comedic duo on Stage Left. Not much information is known about these two, though it's possible that they were retrofitted versions of Patty the Piano-Playing Pachyderm and Mortimer D. Mouse from CPI's Animal Crackers (which was used in the Decatur, GA store).^[2]

Stage Composition

Although stage documentation is obscure, it is confirmed that Sgt. Singer's used at least a 3-Stage configuration (similar to other animatronic shows at the time). Center Stage included P.T. Bearum, Sgt. Singer, and Pounce D' Lion. Stage Right allegedly contained Dolly Porker (though it is currently unconfirmed), while Stage Left supposedly included Pete and Repete.

When Creative Presentations began to sell off the remaining Sgt. Singer's stock, the previous arrangement of characters was reduced to just the aforementioned three characters on Center Stage (Bearum, Singer, and Pounce). One Sgt. Singer figure was paired with Purrscilla Purr and Big Bear from Celebration Station's W.O.O.F. Radio for a show installation at Mirapolis (a defunct theme park in France).

Installed Locations

Courdimanche

Mirapolis - 95800 Courdimanche, France (Sgt. Singer Only)

Florida

Miami, FL (1601 Biscayne Boulevard) as Sgt. Singer's Kiddieland

Georgia

Decatur, GA (4649 Memorial Dr)

Pennsylvania

Idlewild Park - Ligonier, PA (2574 Lincoln Hwy) as Sgt. Striper's Three-Piece Touring Band

Texas

Current Whereabouts

Shortly after Creative Presentations began selling off Sgt. Singer's stock, Japanese-based Okamoto Amusements purchased 3 Sgt. Striper shows (and one Ape-Ology's show) to be leased by Japanese theme parks. Okamoto offered the Circus Band, Beach Bums, and Barnyard Band show variants.^[3] At least two of these shows had been rediscovered and were said to have been sold in 2023.^[5]

Gallery

"Sgt. Singer's Pizza Circus is in Town" Advertisement (Decatur, GA)
"Three Rings of Fun & Value" Advertisement (Decatur, GA)
Sgt. Singer T-Shirt Offer Advertisement (Decatur, GA)
Sgt. Singer's Kiddieland Advertisement (Miami, FL)
"Sgt. Singer's Circus Pizza Band" Advertisement (Pasadena, TX)
The Ape-Ology's at the Sgt. Singer's in Decatur, GA
Patty Pachyderm and Mortimer D. Mouse at the Sgt. Singer's in Decatur, GA

Videos

Link	Description	Filming Date
Link	The complete, 14 minute performance of Sgt. Striper's Three Piece Touring Band at Idlewild Park.	July 1, 1988
Link	A Sgt. Singer figure performing with Purrscilla Purr and Big Bear at French theme park, Mirapolis.	July 22, 1990

Trivia

The Sgt. Singer's store in Decatur, Georgia actually featured The Animal Crackers (with Sheriff Bob Wire & the B.O.Y.S, Patty Pachyderm & Mortimer D. Mouse, and the Ape-Ology's) instead of the standard show. It's unknown why this was the case, though rumors suggest it was due to the previous figures requiring off-stage maintenance.^[6]
During Concept Unification, Creative Presentations proposed replacing the Rock-afire Explosion with four retrofit options to Showbiz Pizza Time. Sgt. Singer was one of many CPI characters included in these concepts, along with the Ape-Ologys.^[7]

References

[1] ttps://arcadepreservation.fandom.com/wiki/Nickels_and_Dimes_Incorporated

[:1-2] 2.0 ^2.1 http://allincolorforaquarter.blogspot.com/2013/06/brides-of-chuck-e-pizza-time-theatres.html

[:0-3] 3.0 ^3.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20110524063531/http://www.okamotos.co.jp/cotarog/sonota.pdf

[4] ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_L3v3LnhPk

[5] ttps://www.instagram.com/p/Cy6jXxYJm_c/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

[6] ttps://arcadepreservation.fandom.com/wiki/Sgt._Singer%27s_Pizza_Circus#Creative_Presentations_Inc

[7] ttps://www.showbizpizza.com/info/documents/spt/spt_adp-binder.pdf

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 === '''''Sgt. Singer's Spectacular Star Studded Circus Pizza Show''''' ===
-Taking a page from the recent successes of ''Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre'' and ''ShowBiz Pizza Place'', Craig Singer established '''''Sgt. Singer's Spectacular Star Studded Circus Pizza Show''''' in Pasadena, Texas by 1982.<ref>http://allincolorforaquarter.blogspot.com/2013/06/brides-of-chuck-e-pizza-time-theatres.html</ref> Although unconfirmed, newspapers mark early operations of the chain to be around March 1, 1982. Likewise to competitors, the establishment offered pizza, beer, arcade games, and animatronic shows as the main attraction. Animatronics for ''Sgt. Singer's'' were manufactured by Creative Presentations, Inc. of Schaumburg, Illinois.
+Taking a page from the recent successes of ''Chuck E. Cheese's Pizza Time Theatre'' and ''ShowBiz Pizza Place'', Craig Singer established '''''Sgt. Singer's Spectacular Star Studded Circus Pizza Show''''' in Pasadena, Texas by 1982.<ref name=":1">http://allincolorforaquarter.blogspot.com/2013/06/brides-of-chuck-e-pizza-time-theatres.html</ref> Although unconfirmed, newspapers mark early operations of the chain to be around March 1, 1982. Likewise to competitors, the establishment offered pizza, beer, arcade games, and animatronic shows as the main attraction. Animatronics for ''Sgt. Singer's'' were manufactured by Creative Presentations, Inc. of Schaumburg, Illinois.
 === ''Sgt. Striper's'' and the Closure of ''Sgt. Singer's Pizza Circus'' ===
@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 === P.T. Bearum / Libby Beara'ce ===
-The bear who is "tinkling on his keys" with his western piano. Bearum's original name is a pun on that of American showman and politician, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._T._Barnum '''P'''hineas '''T'''aylor Barnum], who was best known for founding the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ringling_Bros._and_Barnum_%26_Bailey_Circus Barnum & Bailey Circus]. Similarly to Sgt. Singer and Pounce D'Lion, Bearum was later renamed to Libby Beara'ce (pronounced ''li·behr·'''aa'''·chee)'', a pun on American pianist and actor, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberace Liberace].
+(Voiced by Lee Pelty) Bearum enjoys "tinkling on his keys" with his western piano. His original name is a pun on that of American showman and politician, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._T._Barnum '''P'''hineas '''T'''aylor Barnum], who was best known for founding the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ringling_Bros._and_Barnum_%26_Bailey_Circus Barnum & Bailey Circus]. Similarly to Sgt. Singer and Pounce D'Lion, Bearum was later renamed to Libby Beara'ce (pronounced ''li·behr·'''aa'''·chee)'', a pun on American pianist and actor, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberace Liberace].
 === Pounce D' Lion / Richard D. Lionhearted ===
-A pun on the name of Spanish conquistador, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Ponce_de_Le%C3%B3n Juan Ponce de León's], Pounce is a lion who jams on an electric guitar. Despite the origins behind his name, Pounce spoke in a British accent. Similarly to Sgt. Singer and P.T. Bearum, Pounce was later renamed to Richard D. Lionhearted, due to Creative Presentations selling Sgt. Striper's shows to clients worldwide.
+(Originally voiced by Dennis Kelly, and later by Larry Moran) Pounce is a lion who jams on an electric guitar. Despite the origins behind his original name (a pun on Spanish conquistador, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Ponce_de_Le%C3%B3n Juan Ponce de León]) Pounce spoke in a British accent provided by Larry Moran (his second voice). Similarly to Sgt. Singer and P.T. Bearum, Pounce was later renamed to Richard D. Lionhearted, due to Creative Presentations selling Sgt. Striper's shows to other clients.
-=== Patty the Piano-Playing Pachyderm ===
+=== Dolly Porker ===
-(Voiced by Martha Webster) A prissy and proper elephant, Patty performs on a grand piano for the audience's enjoyment (despite her laments as heard in the song "Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Singers,") on a stylish Stage Left.
+(Voiced by Martha Webster) Dolly is a picky piggy who can be very particular with her venue of performance. Her name is a pun on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolly_Parton Dolly Parton], though doesn't resemble her namesake besides that. She has been said to have been placed on Stage Right.
-=== Mortimer D. Mouse ===
+=== Pete and Repete ===
+Not to be confused with Creative Engineering's Pete Thornsberry and Repeat Thornsberry of the [[Hard Luck Bears]], Pete (an elephant) and Repete (a mouse) were supposedly a comedic duo on Stage Left. Not much information is known about these two, though it's possible that they were retrofitted versions of Patty the Piano-Playing Pachyderm and Mortimer D. Mouse from CPI's Animal Crackers (which was used in the Decatur, GA store).<ref name=":1" />
-Mortimer is a cheeky and sarcastic rodent who performs with Patty Pachyderm on Stage Right. Despite irritating Patty with his remarks, Mortimer's singing has always been welcomed by the others (as long as the mouse behaves himself).
-=== Dolly Porker ===
-(Voiced by Martha Webster) Similarly to Patty, Dolly is a picky piggy who can be very particular with her venue of performance. Her name is a pun on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolly_Parton Dolly Parton], though doesn't resemble her namesake besides that. She has been said to have been placed on Stage Right.
 == Stage Composition ==
-Although stage documentation is obscure, it is confirmed that Sgt. Singer's used at least a 3-Stage configuration (similar to other animatronic shows at the time). Center Stage included [[P. T. Bearum (Animatronic)|P.T. Bearum]], [[Sgt. Singer (Animatronic)|Sgt. Singer]], and [[Pounce D' Lion (Animatronic)|Pounce D' Lion]]. Stage Right allegedly contained [[Dolly Porker (Animatronic)|Dolly Porker]] (though it is currently unconfirmed), while Stage Left included [[Patty Pachyderm (Animatronic)|Patty Pachyderm]] and [[Mortimer D. Mouse (Animatronic)|Mortimer D. Mouse]].
+Although stage documentation is obscure, it is confirmed that Sgt. Singer's used at least a 3-Stage configuration (similar to other animatronic shows at the time). Center Stage included [[P. T. Bearum (Animatronic)|P.T. Bearum]], [[Sgt. Singer (Animatronic)|Sgt. Singer]], and [[Pounce D' Lion (Animatronic)|Pounce D' Lion]]. Stage Right allegedly contained [[Dolly Porker (Animatronic)|Dolly Porker]] (though it is currently unconfirmed), while Stage Left supposedly included Pete and Repete.
 When Creative Presentations began to sell off the remaining Sgt. Singer's stock, the previous arrangement of characters was reduced to just the aforementioned three characters on Center Stage (Bearum, Singer, and Pounce). One Sgt. Singer figure was paired with Purrscilla Purr and Big Bear from [[Celebration Station's W.O.O.F. Radio]] for a show installation at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mirapolis Mirapolis] (a defunct theme park in France).
@@ Line 101: / Line 98: @@
 == Trivia ==
-* The ''Sgt. Singer's'' store in Decatur, Georgia actually featured The Animal Crackers (with Sheriff Bob Wire and the Ape-Ology's) instead of the standard show. It's unknown why this was the case, though rumors suggest it was due to the previous figures requiring off-stage maintenance.<ref>https://arcadepreservation.fandom.com/wiki/Sgt._Singer%27s_Pizza_Circus#Creative_Presentations_Inc</ref>
+* The ''Sgt. Singer's'' store in Decatur, Georgia actually featured The Animal Crackers (with Sheriff Bob Wire & the B.O.Y.S, Patty Pachyderm & Mortimer D. Mouse, and the Ape-Ology's) instead of the standard show. It's unknown why this was the case, though rumors suggest it was due to the previous figures requiring off-stage maintenance.<ref>https://arcadepreservation.fandom.com/wiki/Sgt._Singer%27s_Pizza_Circus#Creative_Presentations_Inc</ref>
 * During [[Concept Unification]], Creative Presentations proposed replacing the Rock-afire Explosion with four retrofit options to Showbiz Pizza Time. Sgt. Singer was one of many CPI characters included in these concepts, along with the Ape-Ologys.<ref>https://www.showbizpizza.com/info/documents/spt/spt_adp-binder.pdf</ref>