A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Curiosity Cat

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  2w, 5m, 1girl(s), 1boy(s), 6any gender (adult)

" 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 Dyer

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 5m, 1girl(s), 1boy(s), 6any gender (adult)
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Theatre for Young Audiences
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences

Details

Summary
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!
History

Curiosity Cat premiered at the Children's Theatre of Knoxville in Knoxville, TN in April 2010 under the direction of Jenny Ballard.

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 bymale 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 AuntGinny)
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)
  • Time Period Present Day
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes, Fantasy Costumes
  • Additional Features Audience Participation/Interactive, Mime, Physical Comedy
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • No Special Cautions

Music

  • Musical Style N/A (Not a musical)
  • Vocal DemandsN/A (Not a musical)
  • Chorus Size N/A (Not a musical)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $110 per performance

Add-Ons

Take a look below at how you can enhance your show!

Authors

Chris Grabenstein

Chris Grabenstein is an award-winning author of books for children and adults, a playwright, screenwriter, and former advertising executive and improvisational comedian. Winner of both the Anthony and Agatha Awards, he is also the co-author with James Patterson of The New Yor ...
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