Love Actually in Concert heads to more than 30 U.S. cities this holiday season

GEA Live, RoadCo and Fifth Season are launching Love Actually in Concert on Nov. 16 in Washington, D.C., with a live orchestra performing alongside the full film in more than 30 U.S. cities. Presales start July 22, and tickets go on sale July 24 at 10 a.m. local time.

Why it matters: - The tour turns a holiday favorite into a live event that can sell across theaters and performing arts venues nationwide. - The format combines a full film screening with a live orchestra, giving fans a premium way to revisit a movie that already functions as an annual tradition for many viewers.

What happened: - GEA Live, RoadCo and Fifth Season announced LOVE ACTUALLY IN CONCERT will tour more than 30 U.S. cities this holiday season. - The tour opens Nov. 16 in Washington, D.C., after a Nov. 15 preview in Williamsport, Pa. - Presales began July 22. - Tickets go on sale July 24 at 10 a.m. local time. - The production pairs a live orchestra with a projection of the complete film from Universal's Love Actually.

The details: - The orchestra will perform the film soundtrack live, including Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You," Craig Armstrong's score and "Love Is All Around." - The tour will travel coast to coast, with stops in Atlanta, Boston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Chicago and other cities. - The schedule includes dates in the U.S. and one Canadian stop in Kitchener, Ontario. - Confirmed cities include Richmond, Red Bank, Atlantic City, Columbus, Louisville, Dayton, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Brooklyn, Milwaukee, Wausau, Rochester, St. Louis, Omaha, Denver, San Jose, San Diego, San Antonio, Dallas and Sugar Land. - The listed dates are subject to change. - The schedule marks Nov. 15 as a preview performance and Nov. 16 as the premiere. - The film, written and directed by Richard Curtis, was released in 2003 and follows 10 interweaving love stories during the festive period. - The cast includes Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Bill Nighy, Martine McCutcheon, Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Rowan Atkinson and Martin Freeman. - Craig Armstrong, the film's composer, has won Golden Globe, BAFTA and Emmy awards. - Armstrong is also known for work on Moulin Rouge!, Me Before You and Elizabeth: The Golden Age.

Between the lines: - The tour leans on the film's long-running holiday nostalgia and multi-generational fan base to create a live-event package that can play well beyond core movie fans. - The concert model also gives exhibitors and venues a seasonal programming option that is built around familiar music, a recognizable title and a proven audience. - Floris Douwes, producer and managing director at GEA Live, said the show is designed as a shared, heartwarming celebration for fans, families and anyone who believes love is all around.

What's next: - Venue websites will carry ticketing information for each stop. - Fans can follow #loveactuallyinconcert on social media for updates and additional information. - The tour schedule remains subject to change as the holiday run approaches.

The bottom line: - Love Actually is being repackaged as a live holiday event, and the rollout suggests the film's annual appeal still has room to expand on stage.