!

George - Katherine

Man in the yellow hat - Phil

Next Door Dora - Nora

Missus Ferguson, actor 1 - Olivia

ice Cream woman, Child 1, worker 1, actor 3, life guard - Arielle

Worker 2 child 2, actor 3 - Clare

Curious George

Goes to the Beach

by

Margaret and H.A. Rey

Adapted for the stage

by

Anthony Marino
! 1!

ANYWHERE

George Enters - he is a talking monkey but not everyone hears

George talk. The man in the Yellow hat is odd. He’s not a tool,
or a sarcastic schmo - just odd - he loves his monkey and
doesn’t seem to think a talking monkey is strange.

GEORGE
I am George - I am a good little monkey
who is absolutely adorable and - oh yea
- I’m Curious.

MAN
(wryly)
George isn’t always good - but he is
adorable and he is most certainly curi-
ous.

GEORGE
(Monkey Sounds!!!!!!!)

MYH
Now don’t you talk monkey to me! Use
your words George.

G
I am a good little monkey!

MYH
As George’s exploits have been pretty
well covered in all forms of popular
media including dozens of books, tele-
vision programs, audiobooks, popular
films and even radio serials, I think
it is safe to assume that everyone here
knows you are not always a good little
monkey - but to prove it the cast and I
will remind George.

“George Song”

MYH
So, have we proved our point.?

GEORGE
I am George - I am absolutely adorable
- and oh yes - I am curious.
! 2!

MHY
Today is a special day, it always is in
these stories, and I have a surprise
planned and lots to get ready. Here
comes my favorite line - I really need
you to stay out of trouble!

G
Okey Dokey Ted. (Ted starts to exit)

MYH
What?

G
That’s your name isn’t it? Ted Shackle-
ford?

MYH
I guess it is! Thanks for reminding me
George! (Exits)

G
No prob Ted! Its not that I want to get
in trouble. Or even try to get in trou-
ble - in fact I try very hard 0 I keep
saying to myself over and over - Don;t
get in trouble - don’t get in trouble!
but then I get distracted - I get dis-
tracted pretty easily - almost anything
can do it

NEXT DOOR DORA

Hellooooooooooo! Georgie!!!!!!!!

G
See, that’s Next door dora and she is
someone who can distract me very eas-
ily.

NDD
Guess whose outside?

G
Who?

NDD
MEEEEEEEE! and if you come outside you
will be too.
! 3!

G
I realize her reasoning is flawed - but
I can’t resist! (Jumps outside and does
an outside dance with Dora)

BOTH
Yayyyyyyy! We’re outside, we’re outside
we love to be in the outside! We’re
outside we’re outside its much better
than being in!

NDD
OOOOOOOH I almost forgot, I came to get
you so that I can tell you the ice
cream man is coming!!!!!!

G
The ice cream man is, as always, pre-
dictied by the most wonderful tinkly
music. It should, I believe - be danced
to like you are a Russian ballerina

Hilarity ensues as the entire cast storms the stage and dances
like crazy ballerinas to the sound of tinkly ice cream truck mu-
sic.

ICE CREAM WOMAN

The usual George? a triple scoop of
monkey food ice cream?

G
(Monkey Noise)

NDD
Isn’t it lucky that this ice cream
truck carries such an exotic flavor as
Monkey food?

G
After the ice cream - and I don’t know,
maybe its the lactose or the sprinkles
but I soon forget all about staying out
of trouble.

MYH
(As he crosses) Are you staying out of
trouble George?
! 4!

G
I think so, but I just had ice cream.

MYH
That’s not good!

G
Nope! So that reminds me I’ve been
really curious about something. Earlier
I’m fairly certain I saw a bunch of
stuff in the kitchen that really looked
interesting!

George goes behind the curtain and there are the sounds of crazy
things happening - he emerges on the other side covered in flour
and holding a mixing bowl and spoon.

G
Golly that was really interesting!
There was mixing bowls and spoons and
flour and stuff to make a cake with and

MYH
George!

G
Yes Ted!

MYH
Wow that’s really hard to get used to!
Anyway, did you happen to get curious
about all that stuff in the kitchen.

G
The cake stuff?

MYH
Indeedy do Georgerewski!

G
Sorry Ted, I found that stuff fascinat-
ing! and when I’m curious,

MYH
I know little buddy, I’m gonna go clean
that up, (Looking behind the curtain)
Wow! Its on the ceiling! is that a
stick of butter in the coo coo clock?
! 5!

G
I do recall being frightened by the coo
coo and maybe stuffing the butter in
there.

MYH
WOW! Okay little buddy, do you think
maybe you can stay out of trouble now?

G
Its doubtful Ted, but we’ll give it a
shot Ted.

MYH
Okey dokey! (As he’s exiting) WoW
theres a river of milk in here!

NDD
Georgieeeeeeee! were you ever curious
about how to drive a giant dump truck?

G
I have been extraordinarily curious
about that very subject ever since you
mentioned it just a second ago.

NDD
Great lets go!

They exit as MYH Enters

MYH
Okay kids, now I wanted you to know we
are planning big surprise birthday
party for George, an then tomm as his
present, I’m taking him to the beach -
he loves the beach, not sure why most
monkeys hate the water, but ol George
goes bonkers for the beach - anyways,
boy, that kitchen was a crazy mess, I
was gonna make george a cake, but now
I’m gonna have to go buy him one - by
the way - have you seen him? I really
hope he’s not getting into trouble or
anything, is he getting into trouble?
You know sometimes he likes to monkey
around with giant Dump trucks - Okay
then, I’ll see you later.
! 6!

Kids yell non-sequiturs like: “I have a monkey!” MYH exits

After a sec, two workers enter.

WORKER 1
Now are you sure you locked up the Gi-
ant dump truck and rolled up the win-
dows?

WORKER 2
I am fairly certain, but we’re just go-
ing to lunch! Its not like some talking
monkey’s gonna climb in thru the window
I left down and start fiddlin with all
the controls.

WORKER 1
(LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY) A talking Mon-
key oooooooh that’s a good one - okay
its off to the Pizza Hut buffet!

They exit as G and NDD enter.

NDD
See! its a giant dump truck! look how
big it is! Its like as a big as a
building!

G
For most people, just seeing the big
truck would be enough - but just in
case you’ve forgotten - I’M A MON-
KEY!!!! So . . . . . Lets go!

They run behind the curtain the workers re-enter

W 1
We’ll still have time to have an eating
contest! I just have to get my wallet -
I left it in the -

W 2
in the what?

W 1
Uhhh, where’s the giant dump Truck?

W 2
Its right over . . . Uh oh.
! 7!

W 1
Didn’t I ask you if you locked up the
giant dump truck?

WE 2
Well yea, but we were just gone a sec-
ond - what could happen to it in a sec-
ond - its not like there was a talking
monkey that came along and -

Sound of a giant dump truck

W 2
Do you hear that?

W 1
Sounds like a giant dump truck

Panicky Monkey sounds

W 2
Being driven by a panicky monkey!

George and NDD come from behind the curtain in a Giant Dump
Truck - You heard me.

W 1
Run for yer lives its a Giant Dump
Truck Driven by a panicky monkey!!!!!!

This maybe snakes its way through the kids - not sure. then off
stage. Where there is the sounds of crashing, monkey squeals and
the workers yelling obscenities (Kidding about the swearing) MYH
and George appear.

MYH
Now George, I think we’ve discussed how
you can’t be driving giant dump trucks.

G
But Next door Dora told me to come look
at it!

MYH
But she didn’t tell you to jump in,
start it up and chase those nice work-
ers all over the park did she?
! 8!

G
That was pure George, I’ll admit it.

MYH
Tell you what, how about we visit your
favorite place so that I’m sure you’ll
stay out of trouble.

G
We’re going to the banana farm?

MYH
You’re next favorite place.

G
The Library!!!!!!!

MYH
Yea, and its story hour.

G
Is stage right there?

MYH
No they’re tomorrow, but the librarian
is reading a story.

G
Missus . . . . . Ferguson?

MYH
Yes, Missus Ferguson.

G
I love her!

MYH
Yes George, I know you do. But remem-
ber, we have to be quiet, during story
hour.

G
What’s the book? What’s the book?

MYH
I think its the Magic Treehouse number
44 - Ninjas in my Fruity Pebbles!
! 9!

G
I love that one - and I’ll be on my
best behavior!

MYH
Promise?

G
Absolutely Not!

MYH
Great! Lets go!

They exit and we are transported to the Library, Missus F enters

and starts story time.

MISSUS FERGUSON
(Entering with a couple of kids - this
character is called Missus Ferguson -
but she should be done like the crazy
library lady) Alrighty children - its
story time!!!! And do you know what
story time means?

CHILD 1
oooh oooh Missus Ferguson it means we
put on our ‘listening caps’ and our
‘pay attention’ ears and our ‘watch
you’ eyes and our ‘be quiet’ noses!

CHILD 2
What is a ‘be quiet’ nose?

CHILD 1
Its the nose I wear when I’m being
quiet.

CHILD 2
Do you have other noses?

MISSUS F
Children, children!, today we are going
to read a story about dinosaurs! ooooh
are any of you dinosaurs?

CHILD 2
Are you serious about that? I mean,
clearly we’re children.
! 10!

CHILD 1
Put on your be quiet nose!!!!!!

MYH and George enter, George is excited.

G
There she is! there she is! Look how
she holds the book so we can see the
pictures! Look how she displays the
pretty pictures like she’s a spokesper-
son on the home shopping network!

MISSUS F
Do you see the picture of the Dinosaur
children, sometimes when I’m playing
dinosaur at home I pretend that I’m
eating leaves from a very high tree!

CHILD 2
Do you really play dinosaur at home?
That’s kinda weird.

CHILD 1
She needs a new be quiet nose - hers is
obviously a talk a lot nose.

CHILD 2
How’d you like a black and blue nose!

MYH
Now George, remember we need to be
quiet - Missus Ferguson makes all her
children wear some kind of ‘be quiet
nose’ or listening sweater or something
crazy like that. Now I have to look in
the map section so we can plan our trip
to the beach!

G
I know, I know, I will be quiet!

MYH exits

G
There is no way I will be quiet.

George Goes over and sits behind Missus F

! 11!

MISSUS F
Alrighty children, you did so well dur-
ing that book about dinosaurs that I
think we should read another one? What
do you think, are we wearing our read
two books glasses? MMMm? Lets put our
read two books glasses up to our eyes.

She makes her fingers into glasses and puts them up to her eyes.

MISSUS F
Come on, everyone put on your read two
books glasses! (Forces the children to
do so) Okey Dokey - I can see you all -
there’s Mindy and Jack and Annie and
Ladybug Girl and bumblebee boy and oh
there’s a polar bear and I think over
there I see a giraffe!

CHILD 2
I think polar bears are quite dangerous
and clearly a giraffe would never be
found in this area.

CHILD 1
Missus Ferguson She’s ruining my imagi-
nation time!

MISSUS F
Alright children, its time to read a
book about the jungle - Now what sorts
of animals do we find in our jungle - I
know sometimes I like to find unicorns
when I go on safari.

CHILD 2
Aren’t unicorns imaginary?

CHILD 1
She’s ruining story time!

MF
Now children what kind of animals do
you see in our picture of the jungle?

CH 1
A monkey!
! 12!

MF
Excellent!

CH 2
I see a monkey.

They are talking about George.

MF
Yes, there are definitely monkeys in
the jungle - now who can name another
animal in the jungle?

CH 2
No, seriously, there is a monkey behind
you.

MF
Oh I see someone has found their Imagi-
nation boots!

CH 2
What is she talking about.

George begins to make monkey noises while going thru the dino-
saur book.

MF
(Still not getting it) oooooh in fact
we are all imagining the monkey in the
jungle so well I can practically hear
it - How wonderful children - I know -
lets all be monkeys! That is an abso-
lutely interstellar idea!!! Come on
children! Lets Monkey!

She leads them in jumping around - only child 1 joins in.

CHILD 2
Shouldn’t someone call the police or
something - there’s a monkey in the Li-
brary!

This scares George and he absconds with the book and exits.

CH 2
The monkey stole the book!
! 13!

MYH
(Rushing in) Did I hear something about
a monkey stealing a book!

MF
(Taken aback and instantly falling for
him) My my, that is a very yellow out-
fit, and might I say not every man can
pull off that color - but on you its
quite handsome!

MYH
Shucks Missus Ferguson, You’re making
me blush.

MF
You may call me - Renata!

MYH
And you can call me Ted.

NDD
(Appearing from behind the curtain) Hey
there yellow guy - George is checking
out some books!

MYH
How many books?

NDD
All of them!

MYH
Yikes! lets go! Stop that monkey - he
can’t even read!!!!

Next there is an action sequence where George carrying a giant

stack of books is chased by everyone - as the benny hill them
plays in the back ground. Finally all come crashing into a heap.

CH 2
I told you there was a monkey!

MYH
George likes books, he a very curious
monkey.
! 14!

MF
And you are a very curious man, Does he
have a library card?

MYH
Indeedy Do! - Here you go! (Hands her
his card)

MF
Well then, I’ll get these books
checked. Come children, lets continue
our jungle book story hour in a place
thats less like a jungle.

All exit but for MYH and George.

MYH
Wow, little buddy, you’re havin a
really curious day - lets say we get
your books and get home - there’s still
a big surprise waiting for you. (He ex-
its)

G
Ya gotta love him! He’s very under-
standing and he’s very yellow - but the
idea of a surprise does make me curi-
ous! (He exits)

After a moment or two all but George enter surrounding a cake

for George.

MYH
Now remember everyone, I sent George to
wash his hands and then told him to
come down stairs - so shhhhhh.

NDD
I’m sorry Mr. Yellow Guy - say what’s
your name anyhow?

MYH
George just told me its Ted.

NDD
Nice, so Ted, I just wanted to let you
know I tested the cake to make sure it
! 15!

wasn’t poison. Its not, neither is any

of the stuff in your fridge (Belch)

MYH
That’s great Dora, was it all good?

NDD
DEEEEEE licious!

George enters and all burst into Happy Birthday -

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday

to you, you smell like a monkey and you
look like one too!!!!

G
Thanks to everyone this award means so
much to me!

MYH
Its not an award - its a cake - Its
your birthday.

G
Right! and thank you! (Begins to exit)

NDD
Hey aren’t you gonna share you cake?

G
Of course I am! follow me!

All exit but the man in the yellow hat.

MYH
That George is a rascal sometimes, but
I do love him. You know when George and
I first met he was just a little chimp
with lots of energy and a very curious
habit of getting into trouble due to
his curiousness. But not matter all the
mishaps and crazy adventures I wouldn’t
trade one minute of any of it! Because
you see - George is my friend

George Enters, smeared in cake and sporting a food baby

G
! 16!

Ted, I gotta say - that was one deli-

cious cake! You really are a good
friend.

MYH
Funny you should say that - I was just
telling everyone how much I like being
your friend, in fact I worked up a lit-
tle song about it - would you like to
hear it?

G
Knock yourself out Ted.

MYH
I used one of your favorite songs from
those videos you like so much

Well Ali Baba had them forty thieves

Scheherezad-he had a thousand tales
But mister you’re in luck 'cause up your sleeves
You got a brand of friendship that never fails
You got some power in your corner now
Some heavy ammunition and that is that
You got some punch, pizzazz, yahoo and how
See your best friend in the yellow hat!
And I'll say

Mister Georgie, sir

What will your pleasure be?
Let me take your order
Jot it down
You ain't never had a friend like me
No no no

Life is our restaurant

you can eat whatever you see
C'mon tell what it is you want
You ain't never had a friend like me

Yes sir, we pride ourselves on Friendship

You're the boss
The king, the shah
Say what you wish
It's yours! True dish
How about a little more Monkey slaw

Have some of column "A"

! 17!

Try all of column "B"

I'm in the mood to help you dude
You ain't never had a friend like me

Can your friends do this?

Can your friends do that?
Can your friends pull this out their little hat?
Can your friends go, poof?
Well, looky here Ha Ha
Can your friends go, Abracadabra, let 'er rip
And then make the sucker disappear?

So doncha sit there slack jawed, buggy eyed

I'm here to answer all your curiosities
You got me bona fide, certified
You got a guy to handle a your'affaires
I got a powerful urge to help you out
So what-cha want? I really wanna know
You got a list that's three miles long, no doubt
Well, all you gotta do is ask like so - and oh

Mister Georgie, sir, with all your curiosities

I'm on the job, you monkey bob
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend
You ain't never had a friend, never had a friend
You ain't never, had a, friend like me
Never had a friend like me, Wah Ah Ah, Ha Ha Ha

As the song come to a big finish, Ted looks over at george to

see if he’s liked it, George is snoring.

MYH
Oh George, I like him best like this,
its the only time I know his curious-
ness won’t get him in trouble. (He ex-
its)

G
Its true, im sleeping right now, but
watching me sleep would make for a
pretty boring show, soooo, I thought
I’d show you the crazy things I dream -
they make me very curious. Sometimes I
dream I go to the Toy Store.

All characters enter and become toys

! 18!

G
And in this toy store everything seems
normal and I walk around and play with
the toy and they are lovely!

George walks around and plays with the toys briefly

G
But then a strange thing happens, I
hear music and then, the toys start to
dance.

lovely music starts and the toys move gently

G
But then the music changes and just
like that - me and the toys are gettin
funky!

Due to the lack of character, conflict, or anything really, in

these books - we need to fill out time my having the kids disco
with us - sad.

G
(As they are exiting) This is second
favorite Dream, my first favorite dream
involves nothing but me, a spoon and a
giant banana split! (falls asleep)

MYH Enters and decides to sneak up on George and wake him up

MYH
(Shhhhing the audience) I love to wake
George up like this, its hysterical.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!

George flips out rolling around and making monkey sounds

MYH
Morning time buddy and you know what
that means?

G
Time to scare your monkey to death!

MYH
No silly! what’s today?
! 19!

G
Beach DAYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!

They do a quick celebratory beach dance

MYH
Okay lets pack up everything we need.

G
Wait - I have no idea what to take. Do
I need a bathing suit? I mean, I’m a
monkey - aren’t I already in my bathing
suit? Do I need sunblock? Water wings,
a cooler filled with refreshing drinks?
a giant monkey slaw sandwich? Is ted
gonna gear his hat in the ocean? I need
answers!!!!!!

MYH
I hear ya, george, that’s why I got
this dvd on what to do when you’re go-
ing to the beach - wanna watch it with
me?

G
Sure!

They sit and use a remote to start the ‘dvd’ which is actually
live actors

ACTOR 1
So you want to go to the beach?

ACTOR 2
I do I do!!!!!!

ACTOR 3
Hey but isn’t going to the beach a has-
sle? What should we bring? what should
I wear?

A1
Indeed, going to the beach can be dif-
ficult that’s why you need to plan your
trip.

MYH
Planning! love it! Lets plan!
! 20!

A2
Okay, lets plan!

A3
I don’t know, but I’ll try!

A1
First thing we need to know is how long
are we gonna be there?

MYH
Just the day.

G
You know they can’t hear you.

A2
Just the day.

A1
Perfect!, here’s all the stuff you’ll
need for a day at the beach.

Swimsuits for everyone, girls in biki-

nis, shorts for Dad, unless of course
you want to embarrass your kids like I
do

Suntan lotion, preferably waterproof,

make sure you’ve go the right sun fac-
tor for your crew

Wide brimmed hat, ball cap or visor

MYH
I got my hat!

A1
Beach towels

Bottled water

Beach blanket, big beach towels will

also do

Sandals preferred but shoes will do,

the sand gets hot walking from the car.
You also might want them for a walk on
the beach. And finally, and this is
! 21!

very important - never keep your stuff

too close to the water or the tide
could wash it out sea!

A2/A3
Will do!

A1
Now does that sound like too much of a
hassle?

A3
No way! Thanks beach dvd spokesperson!

A2
You made going to the beach

A2/A3
Superfun and Easy!

MYH clicks the remote and the actors disappear

MYH
Sounds like we’re ready!

G
For George’s day at the beach!!!!!!

Music plays and they exit - after a minute they reenter with
their beach gear.

MYH
Wow WEE! IT IS HOTT! I mean toasty,
whoooo!

G
Try being covered in fur.

MYH
No thanks! Okey Dokey, heres a good
spot lets put our stuff down and hit
the water - what do you think?

G
I think I’ll stay here and guard the
picnic basket - and build a sand cas-
tle.
! 22!

MYH
Alright - but please don’t get into any
trouble!

G
Ted, that’s just a silly thing to say.

MYH
How right you are - whoo whoo - look at
those waves!!!!!!!!!! (Runs off in a
very funny Will Ferrrelesque way.

G
Mmmmm, what to do, what to do.

Suddenly a life guard appears blowing the whistle

LG
Hey there! You’re too far out - swim
in! I’m the life guard and I say swim
in closer to shore before I have to
swim out there on my boogie board and
save you!

G
Ooooh a life guard! And Boogie Board!
That sounds interesting!

LG
Hey there (As if motioning down the
beach to another lifeguard) I’m going
on my break! See you in ten. (Exits,
leaving his whistle and binoculars)

G
He’s going on break - Here’s my chance!
- George the Life guard (he puts on the
whistle and binoculars) Hey there
(Whistle) I’m the lifeguard! Swim in
closer to the shore! Look! he’s doing
it! Hah! (Looking thru the binoculars)
Hey its Ted and he’s swimming around
with Missus Ferguson from the library!
You in the yellow hat - no hats allowed
in the ocean!.
! 23!

MYH (OFFSTAGE)
George! is that you! - You stop pre-
tending to be a lifeguard this instant!

G
Sorry Ted! Hi Missus Ferguson!

MF
Hi George - don’t get any of your li-
brary books wet!

G
Hey its Dora! Hi Dora!

NDD
Hey there Georgie! what a beautiful day
at the beach!

G
(Instantly moving on to something else)
Hey! sea gulls! I love sea gulls - lets
feed them crackers from my basket.

NDD
Great idea

They feed the imaginary seagulls, with imaginary crackers while

the basket is seriptisiously snuck off stage.

G
Hey there, where is our basket?

NDD
Right here - oh - I mean out there
(Points into the ocean)In the middle of
the ocean!

G
The tide must have taken it I should
have listened to the dvd spokesperson!

NDD
That basket is a goner - see ya later
little basket!
! 24!

G
NOOOO Ted is out there swimming with
missus Ferguson from the library and I
bet he’s gonna want her her to have
lunch with us and now - I’ve lost the
basket!

NDD
If only the basket was a person - then
the life guard would rescue it.

G
That’s it!

NDD
It is?

George grabs the boogie board and rushes behind the curtain af-
ter a sec he reemerges with the basket.

LG
Say there, are you a monkey using my
boogie board to rescue your picnic bas-
ket?

G
Is yes a bad answer.

MYH
(Entering with MF) I’m so sorry, mr
lifeguard, he’s just a very curious
monkey.

LG
No worries Little hairy dude - I just
wanted to say that was one wicked pic-
nic basket rescue!

G
Thank Dude! And now lets eat!

They all settle down to eat but MYH who talks to us.

MYH
Curious George my monkey and my friend.
Its true, he a handful and his curios-
ity does sometimes get him in a little
! 25!

hot water, but I wouldn’t have it any

other way!

THE END