Curiocity: The Local Man With The Yellow Hat
The inquisitive little monkey with a great sense of discovery is headed to Minneapolis -- and he's bringing a familiar friend.
The "Curious George Live!" tour -- a fun-filled family musical -- will stop by the Target Center this Saturday and Sunday for five performances. Besides being produced by the Minneapolis-based VEE Corporation, one of the show's main stars also hails from our fine city.
Andrew Umphrey plays the lovable mentor and best friend of our furry little investigator -- The Man in the Yellow Hat. A local native of northwestern Minnesota, Umphrey calls Minneapolis home when he's not on tour chasing Curious George.
Umphrey was kind enough to tell us a bit more about his local roots and upcoming performances before he hits the stage with his band of curious creatures.
Tell us a little background about your acting career -- other shows you've been in, how you got your start, etc.
Umphrey: I knew I wanted to be a professional actor when I was 13 years old after watching a production of West Side Story. There was something about watching the actors climb all over the set and dance, and sing that made me realize that was what I wanted to do. I was a part of one-act plays in high school and did my first full-length plays in college.
I got my undergrad at Bethany Lutheran College and attended graduate school at Minnesota State University in Mankato. I have been in many other productions but some of my favorites are Cats, Miss Saigon, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hamlet, Pirates of Penzance and The Music Man. In the Twin Cities, I have been a part of a few productions, as well, including The Red Tureen -- part of the 2009 Minnesota Fringe Festival -- and most recently Holy Bells! A Deer Camp Christmas at the Lowry Theatre in downtown St. Paul.
How did you get involved with 'Curious George Live?'
Umphrey: The same way I got involved in every other production I have ever been a part of. I auditioned for the production and got a callback for The Man with the Yellow Hat. After the callback I got a call with an offer to play the part and I accepted gladly.
What made you want to be a part of this show?
Umphrey: I love the story itself and people are always telling me I look like the Man with the Yellow Hat. Also, I knew that VEE Corporation was a great production company to work for and the fact that they were in collaboration with Universal Stage Pictures and Houghton-Mifflin on this project made me realize that this was a great opportunity not to pass up.
How familiar were you with the Curious George storyline before being a part of this show?
Umphrey: Well, I remember having the original book at home while I was growing up but it wasn't a huge presence in my childhood. However, as an adult, I always seem to find myself having breakfast while the cartoon is on in the mornings on PBS. I probably watch the cartoon three to four times a week. I love the stories!
What's the best part of being the Man in the Yellow Hat?
Umphrey: The best part of being the Man with the Yellow Hat is definitely the boots. The tall brown boots that I get to wear as part of the costume is the coolest part. They are my favorite shoes I've ever worn.
How has the 'Curious George Live!' tour been going so far?
Umphrey: The tour has been great. I love being able to see different cities and travel the country. A couple of my favorites places I've been so far are New Orleans, Washington D.C. and Austin, Texas.
What's been the highlight of being a part of this show so far?
Umphrey: The highlight is seeing the kids' faces light up and watching their enjoyment. There are a couple times during the show that I get to actually go out into the audience and interact with the kids and their parents. Those moments in the show are my favorites.
Being from Minneapolis, what are you most anticipating for the Target Center show coming up?
Umphrey: My biggest anticipation is for all my friends and family to come and see the show. It would also be great if a local director or producer were to come and see the show so that I might have another job to go to once the tour ends (laughs). Just to be a part of a production of this calibre and to be doing it in my native state is very exciting for me.
Who would you recommend this show for?
Umphrey: I would recommend this show for not only the kids, but the parents and the grandparents. Curious George has been around for a long time and many generations of children recognize the curious little monkey, whether they are children now, are children all grown up, we are all kids at heart. And the show is not only entertaining but it is also educational, with a moral lesson to be learned in the end just like all the books and the cartoon series.
What kind of feedback have you gotten from audiences who have seen the show?
Umphrey: The feedback has been GREAT! Parents and kids all love the show. There is a lot of spectacle, great choreography and brilliant looking costumes. It is truly an adventure to ride along on for 90 minutes of fun and excitement.
For more information about the "Curious George Live!" tour and to buy tickets for the show, click here.
Sara Boyd is a web producer and columnist at WCCO.COM.
