Lady Gaga, one of the most exciting and innovative new artists in recent history, has announced her highly anticipated return to North America on the heels of her sold-out European tour. The 2010 North American leg of The Monster Ball Tour comes to Kansas City as she takes her spectacular show to 31 top arenas and a host of new cities in the U.S. and Canada throughout the summer and fall. Joining her on tour will be Semi Precious Weapons.

In keeping with Lady Gaga’s flair for the theatrical, as well as her innovative and creative spirit, the second leg of the tour promises to push the limits of the live concert experience, bringing fans a spectacle even more eye-popping than what they experienced during the thrilling first leg of The Monster Ball.

"It’s still called Monster Ball, but it’s more of a musical and less of a concert,” Lady Gaga said in a February interview with KIIS-FM’s Ryan Seacrest. “It has a New York theme, it’s a story, and the story is that me and my friends are in New York and we’re going to the Monster Ball, and we get lost."

Critics around the world raved about the first leg of The Monster Ball Tour, which Gaga described as “the first-ever pop-electro opera.” The Sun called it “breathtaking stuff” and “the best live show you will see this year,” while London’s Independent wrote: “Gaga’s got it, which is why, right now, the whole pop world wants to take a ride on her disco stick.” Writing about her show at Radio City Music Hall, the New York Times’ noted that “her Monster Ball tour always provided something worth a snapshot: a sci-fi tableau, perhaps, or a skimpy, glittery costume. The more her image gets around, the better Lady Gaga does.”

Lady Gaga is touring in support of The Fame Monster, which was released on Nov. 18, 2009, by Streamline/Konlive/Cherrytree/Interscope. The album is the follow-up to 2008’s Grammy Award-winning album The Fame, which spawned the No. 1 singles “Just Dance” and “Poker Face.” Combined, The Fame and The Fame Monster have sold 10 million albums worldwide, while Lady Gaga’s five singles, “Just Dance,” “Poker Face,” “Lovegame,” “Paparazzi,” and “Bad Romance,” have sold more than 30 million singles worldwide. The video for “Bad Romance” has racked up more than 125 million online views. Lady Gaga recently premiered the video for her new single “Telephone,” featuring Beyoncé, on the E! television network and entertainment website VEVO.

Tickets for the Aug. 3 concert at T-Mobile Center are on sale now at Ticketmaster Outlets, Charge by Phone at 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com or in person at T-Mobile Center Box Office.