‘Love Actually in Concert’ sets holiday tour in more than 30 U.S. cities

GEA Live, RoadCo and Fifth Season will take Love Actually in Concert to more than 30 U.S. cities this holiday season, with presales starting July 22 and general tickets on sale July 24. The tour opens Nov. 16 in Washington, D.C., and pairs the full film with a live orchestra performing the soundtrack in theaters nationwide.

Why it matters: - The tour turns a well-known holiday film into a live event experience that can sell tickets beyond a standard movie screening. - More than 30 cities are on the route, giving the production a broad U.S. footprint during the peak holiday entertainment season. - The format combines a full screening with live orchestral music, which can appeal to both film fans and concert audiences.

What happened: - GEA Live, RoadCo and Fifth Season announced LOVE ACTUALLY IN CONCERT for a U.S. holiday tour. - The tour starts Nov. 16 in Washington, D.C., at The Warner Theatre. - Presales began July 22. - General ticket sales open July 24 at 10 a.m. local time. - The run includes cities such as Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, New Orleans and Chicago. - The tour schedule lists 30 dates, with a preview on Nov. 15 in Williamsport, Pa., and a premiere on Nov. 16 in Washington, D.C.

The details: - A live orchestra will perform the film’s soundtrack in sync with the projected movie. - The program includes Mariah Carey’s "All I Want for Christmas Is You," Craig Armstrong’s score and "Love Is All Around." - The film shown is Universal’s Love Actually, the 2003 Richard Curtis holiday rom-com. - The movie features Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Bill Nighy, Martine McCutcheon, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Rowan Atkinson and Martin Freeman. - The itinerary includes stops in Richmond, Red Bank, Atlantic City, Columbus, Louisville, Dayton, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Kitchener, Waterbury, Brooklyn, Boston, Milwaukee, Wausau, Rochester, Chicago, St. Louis, Omaha, Denver, Los Angeles, San Jose, San Diego, San Antonio, New Orleans, Dallas and Sugar Land. - The final listed date is Dec. 27 in Sugar Land, Texas, at Smart Financial Centre. - The source says the schedule is subject to change. - Ticket buyers are directed to local venue websites for more information and sales. - The tour is being promoted with the hashtag #loveactuallyinconcert on social media.

Between the lines: - The announcement leans on Love Actually’s long-running status as a holiday tradition to package nostalgia as a live event product. - The concert format also gives venues a seasonal booking that can draw repeat viewing interest from audiences already familiar with the film. - Producer Floris Douwes said the show is meant to be a "shared, heartwarming, and joy-filled celebration" for fans and families. - Craig Armstrong’s Oscar-nominated-era film music pedigree is part of the production’s selling point.

What's next: - Presales are underway now, and the first public ticket release follows on July 24. - Additional venue details and any schedule updates will likely come through local theater websites. - The tour kicks off in mid-November and runs through late December, covering the core holiday season.

The bottom line: - Love Actually is heading back to theaters, but this time as a live concert event built for holiday crowds.