Curious George stage show planned

MINNEAPOLIS, June 15 (UPI) -- A U.S. tour of a stage production based on the popular children's literature character Curious George is to begin in October, the show's producers said.

The "Curious George Live!" tour is to premiere Oct. 1 at U.S. Cellular Arena in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, VEE Corp., Universal Pictures Stage Productions, Universal Studios Family Productions and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Co. announced Monday.

The live musical show will then go on to play in more than 40 markets, including Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Cleveland, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Nashville, Kansas City and Memphis, through spring 2010.

Tickets will be available through www.curiousgeorgelive.com.

"We are extremely excited about 'Curious George Live!' He's a wonderful character with broad appeal spanning generations," Vincent E. Egan, founder and president of VEE Corp., said in a statement.

"Curious George continues to endure as one of the best-loved and endearing characters of all time," added Glenn Ross, general manager and executive vice president of Universal Studios Family Productions. "Four generations of kids have loved his uniquely heartwarming books, movies and TV series and now will have the opportunity to see George come to life through this family musical extravaganza."