ISBN 978-0-573-698974-3Chris Grabenstein TYA, Young Audience6m, 4f, 6 m or f, plus extras“To my way of thinking, there are no such things as strays; only those who have not yet found their homes.”From the imaginative mind of award winning TYA author Chris Grabenstein comes a very funny, very touching new comedy filled with laughter, learning, and heart that’s ideal for school groups and professional children’s theatres.Curiosity Cat is the play-within-the-book from Grabenstein’s award-winning novel for middle grades readers The Hanging Hill. It’s a story bout displaced children and homeless cats as well as family and the value of curiosity.When their mother becomes very ill Claire and Charlie are forced to live with their father’s Aunt Jenny. A stray cat named Curiosity also wanders into the house. When he breaks Claire's prized music box, she immediately throws him back out into the streets. Being homeless is an adventure, not a concern, for a cat this curious and cool. Soon, the children (with Fred the dog) set out to rescue Curiosity Cat who is busily trying to help other forlorn felines find homes while simultaneously avoiding a newly appointed "cat catcher" who vows to put him to sleep!Filled with memorable characters -- such as Coot, the geriatric cat; Slicker the big city alley cat; Penelope, the pampered Persian Princess; Fred the extremely loyal dog; a nervous and nutty squirrel; a chorus of cute jailbird strays; and the evil cat catcher Skeevelberger -- the play builds to a funny and touching climax that will leave audiences laughing and cheering!FEE: $75 per performanceAudience reactions from the world premiere at the Children's Theatre of Knoxville:“Curiosity Cat had my daughter rolling in the floor with laughter! Well done!” - Jeanne White"I must say that I was blown away by how well-written the play is. My husband said it is like a Disney movie...so funny for kids and yet really entertaining for adults, too.” - Amie Headrick DyerCharacter Descriptions:
AUNT GINNY – Sweet, grandmotherly.
CHARLIE – Boy, about 9-11
CLAIRE – Girl, Charlie’s sister, 10-14
COOT CAT – Old cat. Cranky. Hard of hearing. Wears a rumpled cardigan. Could be played by male or female.
CURIOSITY CAT – Male. Very full of life and, of course, curiosity.
DUKE – A Tuxedo Cat who goes from shy to dandy. Could be played by male or female.
FATHER – Claire & Charlie’s Dad. 30 or 40-something
FRED – Aunt Ginny’s dog. Lovable and eager. Male or female.
LEO – A retired circus lion.
MRS. PODGER – The richest woman in town. (Could double as Aunt Ginny)
PENELOPE PODGER – Posh Persian Princess of a cat. Female.
SERGEANT SCHULTZ – Big, mean German Shepherd. Male or female.
SKEEVELBERGER – The evil next-door neighbor. 30- or 40-something.
SLICKER – Cool alley cat with ’tude. Male.
SQUIRREL – Nervous and nuts. Male or female.
STRAY CATS – All sorts. As many as you want to cast.
TUBBS – Aunt Ginny’s very fat cat. Male or female. (Could double as Leo or Slicker)
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