The live-action family spectacular, Spider-Man Live!, will weave a 40-city tour across North America in October 2002.

The new production marks the popular Marvel Comics super hero's debut appearance on the legitimate stage. Combining flying illusions with acrobatic stunts and multimedia special effects, Spider-Man Live! will cull international talent from such diverse worlds as Broadway, theme park entertainment, ice spectaculars and the circus. U.S.E. Productions will produce, in conjunction with Marvel Enterprises.

The tour, beginning at a venue in Las Vegas to be announced, will also include engagements at the Wang Center in Boston, the Kodak in Los Angeles, the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, the Fox Theatre in Detroit and the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center in Tampa. More dates and venues will be announced at the end of May.

2002 is a busy year for Marvel Comics' well-known character, who is also the star of Columbia Pictures' feature film, "Spider Man," released in theatres on May 3. For upcoming announcements about the tour, visit www.spidermanlive.com.

— By Chris Reichheld