REVIEW: ‘Curious George’ brings cartoon to life

By Rob Cline

Freelance writer

CEDAR RAPIDS - My nearly-6-year-old daughter was contemplative at intermission of the world premiere performance of “Curious of George Live!” On our way to the water fountain at the U.S. Cellular Center, she looked up at me and said, “I wonder if they're lip-syncing.”

My first thought was that it's a sad state of affairs when a nearly-6-year-old is quick to consider the possibility that the performers she is watching aren't actually performing. My second thought was that she'd just identified, albeit in a somewhat oblique manner, one of the reasons “Curious George Live!” is so good: The actors are definitely not lip-syncing. Rather, they are singing - and also dancing - with gusto and skill.

A quite sparse crowd took in the Thursday night performance, but those who were there seemed to enjoy the story of the mischievous but well-meaning monkey and his extravagant effort to cheer up his friend Chef Pisghetti. The chef finds himself down in the dumps when Phinneas T. Lightspeed - who might call to mind Prof. Harold Hill from The Music Man - opens a new restaurant that features a machine that delivers oddly-shaped meatballs instantaneously. Chef Pisghetti, who painstakingly crafts his famous meatballs, is devastated.

George decides to take a trip to Rome to enter the chef's specialty in The Golden Meatball contest. When they realize he has disappeared, George's friends, including, of course, the Man with the Yellow Hat, puzzle out his destination and give chase. In the show's climatic scene, George finds himself in an Iron Chef-style competition, racing against time and believing he lacks a key ingredient.

The show succeeds on every level. The set and costumes are flawless, bringing PBS's animated version of “Curious George” to life. The story itself is cute and clicks along at a good pace.

Most importantly, the show sports a simply fantastic cast. The Man with the Yellow Hat is perfectly cast, as is Chef Pisghetti, and each man is an engaging singer. The Doorman is as charming as can be and can even be forgiven for faking his tap dance number (yep, he was tap syncing).

Netti Pisghetti and Professor Wiseman are strong as well, while Phinneas T. Lightspeed may be misguided, but he's awfully lovable for a quasi-villain. From stars to supporting cast, almost everyone is an excellent dancer.

Appropriately enough, however, George is the show's shining star. This is particularly true in Act I, during which he (or possibly she) is called upon to dance, execute a flag routine and perform a variety of acrobatic stunts that would be challenging even without the costume. From the moment the monkey hits the stage, it's clear he's talented, as well as curious.