Who doesn’t need a hug right now?

The popular movie and television Troll characters will provide plenty of their signature hugs during “Trolls Live,” coming Saturday and Sunday to PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.

Trolls are “all about positivity and happiness. Every hour on the hour, they love to hug to show how much they love each other,” said Kelly Luecke, public relations director for VStar Entertainment, which is producing the show in a first collaboration with NBC Universal.

“We like to say ‘Trolls Live’ is a musical celebration of positivity and friendship, but this is not only an exciting show for kids,” Luecke said. “It includes all the epic music, glitter, humor and happiness they would expect from Trolls, but the message is something everyone needs right now during these trying times.”

The story line finds the Trolls’ hug time in jeopardy. According to a release, the only way to save it is by doing what the Trolls do best — with “a toe-tapping, Trolls-tastic show.”

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Poppy and the rest of the Troll crew invite the audience into an interactive experience featuring popular Trolls songs, along with new music and choreography, scenic projection, puppetry, media technology, special effects and surprises.

“We like to say everyone can enjoy ‘Trolls Live’ because this is a new adventure story line. You don’t need to have seen the movie or the TV show in order to enjoy it,” Luecke said.

Vibrant and colorful

The cast features 14 professional performers from all over the United States.

“A lot of them have previous experience in live entertainment like this, and others have professional mascot experience and other stage performance experience, as well. They’re all highly professional,” Luecke said.

The Pittsburgh shows are the opening dates for a national tour that will run at least through September, Luecke said.

“We’re constantly adding dates, so hopefully this is the start of wonderful touring production,” she said. “This tour actually opened at the very end of 2019, so it was only open for about four months before it was shut down by covid.

“The great thing about that is, because it was only open four months, there are so many markets that have not been able to experience this show yet,” she said. “It really is a phenomenal show. It’s so vibrant and colorful and positive.”

“Trolls Live” runs for 70 minutes with a 15-minute intermission. Tickets start at $18.

Masks are recommended, but not required per CDC guidelines, for all guests while inside the arena, except while actively eating or drinking.

Currently, the event does not require proof of vaccination or negative covid-19 test for entry. Ticket purchasers will be alerted of any changes, which also will be posted on venue social media sites.

For tickets and more information, visit ppgpaintsarena.com or trollslive.com.