CATS: Fun Times with Frisky Felines, Courtesy of Broadway San Diego
Words by Kristen Fogle
The newest theatrical fare from Broadway San Diego is CATS. The timeless Andrew Lloyd Webber musical masterpiece (based on T.S. Elliot poems), which owns the title of longest continuously running theatrical show in U.S. history, has been making audiences fall in love for 30 years; San Diego residents were able to glimpse the Jellicle cats January 11-15.
CATS is a celebration, taking place in a large junkyard. One by one these Jellicle cats make their way onto the stage (“Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats”), and they begin to explain that each feline has three names, one by a human owner, one that fits its personality, and one so divine that only the cat knows it (“The Naming of the Cats”). The celebration is the Jellicle Ball, where the eldest cat, Old Deuteronomy, will announce which cat will be reborn. We hear from competitors Jennyanydots, The Rum Tum Tugger, and Bustopher Jones as to why they should each be chosen (all have their own songs attached to their name). Grizabella, who is much unliked, interrupts Rum Tum, wanting to come to the ball, but she is dismissed. Later, the cats hear noise and remark, “Macavity,” while two cat burglars enter the scene (“Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer”). Finally, Old Deuteronomy arrives, starting the ball. Grizabella once again arrives; she does not know it, but Deuteronomy listens to her sad pleas.
In the second act, Old Deuteronomy is surrounded by the Jellicle cats in another part of the junkyard. He announces that he will choose the cat who "has found meaning to the happiness he or she has experienced" (“The Moments of Happiness”). Jellylorum then introduces the next candidate, Gus: the Theatre Cat. He relives in his mind one of his favorite plays, "Growltiger's Last Stand,” with a memory so vivid that the audience can see the ship, Gus, and his leading lady Griddlebone. Next to compete is Skimbleshanks, the Railway Cat; then Macavity, the Mystery Cat, shows up to the Jellicle Ball. Angered by not being invited, Macavity and his henchman take Old Deuteronomy away so he cannot decide which cat will go to heaven. In trying to find him, Rum Tum Tugger suggests they conjure the magical cat Mr. Mistoffelees, who finds Old Deuteronomy. For the third time, Grizabella comes back to the junkyard, explaining how she wants to be reborn for a second chance to live differently—to live like the happy memories she has of when she was beautiful (“Memory”). Old Deuteronomy grants her wish, and the cats agree with this decision as Grizabella is sent on her way (“The Journey to the Heaviside Layer”). The Jellicle Ball this is over for another year, but not before Old Deuteronomy adjourns his fellow Jellicle cats, reminding them of their special privileges (“The Addressing of Cats”). The Jellicle cats return home, and the junkyard is quiet again for another year.
The plot is simple, but so silly, I, bring a first timer, embarrassingly, actually get lost from time to time. The extraordinary cast executes this old favorite well, (but, as my theater partner for the night notes: on the whole, their talents are just not quite up to the original cast standards). Particularly good, however, are Nathan Morgan’s Old Deuteronomy, whose finely tuned operatic instrument make it believable that he is the oldest and most respected of cats. (See James Colt Harrison’s interview with Nathan here: http://sdtheatrereviews.com/columnists.php?coumnId=22 ) Jellylorum/Griddlebone, played by Elizabeth Ruff, who went from swing to being cast the night before one of the tour’s first shows, has an impressive vocal range, and through facial expressions and energy, immerses us in her cute kitty ways. (See my interview with Elizabeth here: http://the-wordbot.blogspot.com/2012/01/cats-civic-theatre-cast-member.html )
Rum Tum Tugger (Chris Stevens) was also a crowd favorite, with hip thrusts and leather pants, playing the perfect caricature of a heart throb…in cat clothing. Says the actor of his role to the Mission Times Courier: “Tugger is the sexy, adventurous cat that all the other female cats love…He never does what he says he will do and certainly never does what others expect of him. He is a rebel who loves showing off for attention and having fun.”
CATS may be gone from San Diego, but these fun, lively creatures are alive and well in Costa Mesa, from January 17-22. After that, we will not see them on this coast until early April (Folsom Lake and Chico, CA). However, CATS has one of the best soundtracks and DVD recordings of any musical; though seeing the show live is ideal, I recommend these both, which can be found on Amazon. Additionally, the best part of CATS is that it can be seen by anyone—kids, parents, and grandparents are all invited to the Jellicle Ball. You’ll fall in love once you accept their invitation.
CATS
For more information, please visit: http://catsontour.com/
The newest theatrical fare from Broadway San Diego is CATS. The timeless Andrew Lloyd Webber musical masterpiece (based on T.S. Elliot poems), which owns the title of longest continuously running theatrical show in U.S. history, has been making audiences fall in love for 30 years; San Diego residents were able to glimpse the Jellicle cats January 11-15.
CATS is a celebration, taking place in a large junkyard. One by one these Jellicle cats make their way onto the stage (“Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats”), and they begin to explain that each feline has three names, one by a human owner, one that fits its personality, and one so divine that only the cat knows it (“The Naming of the Cats”). The celebration is the Jellicle Ball, where the eldest cat, Old Deuteronomy, will announce which cat will be reborn. We hear from competitors Jennyanydots, The Rum Tum Tugger, and Bustopher Jones as to why they should each be chosen (all have their own songs attached to their name). Grizabella, who is much unliked, interrupts Rum Tum, wanting to come to the ball, but she is dismissed. Later, the cats hear noise and remark, “Macavity,” while two cat burglars enter the scene (“Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer”). Finally, Old Deuteronomy arrives, starting the ball. Grizabella once again arrives; she does not know it, but Deuteronomy listens to her sad pleas.
In the second act, Old Deuteronomy is surrounded by the Jellicle cats in another part of the junkyard. He announces that he will choose the cat who "has found meaning to the happiness he or she has experienced" (“The Moments of Happiness”). Jellylorum then introduces the next candidate, Gus: the Theatre Cat. He relives in his mind one of his favorite plays, "Growltiger's Last Stand,” with a memory so vivid that the audience can see the ship, Gus, and his leading lady Griddlebone. Next to compete is Skimbleshanks, the Railway Cat; then Macavity, the Mystery Cat, shows up to the Jellicle Ball. Angered by not being invited, Macavity and his henchman take Old Deuteronomy away so he cannot decide which cat will go to heaven. In trying to find him, Rum Tum Tugger suggests they conjure the magical cat Mr. Mistoffelees, who finds Old Deuteronomy. For the third time, Grizabella comes back to the junkyard, explaining how she wants to be reborn for a second chance to live differently—to live like the happy memories she has of when she was beautiful (“Memory”). Old Deuteronomy grants her wish, and the cats agree with this decision as Grizabella is sent on her way (“The Journey to the Heaviside Layer”). The Jellicle Ball this is over for another year, but not before Old Deuteronomy adjourns his fellow Jellicle cats, reminding them of their special privileges (“The Addressing of Cats”). The Jellicle cats return home, and the junkyard is quiet again for another year.
The plot is simple, but so silly, I, bring a first timer, embarrassingly, actually get lost from time to time. The extraordinary cast executes this old favorite well, (but, as my theater partner for the night notes: on the whole, their talents are just not quite up to the original cast standards). Particularly good, however, are Nathan Morgan’s Old Deuteronomy, whose finely tuned operatic instrument make it believable that he is the oldest and most respected of cats. (See James Colt Harrison’s interview with Nathan here: http://sdtheatrereviews.com/columnists.php?coumnId=22 ) Jellylorum/Griddlebone, played by Elizabeth Ruff, who went from swing to being cast the night before one of the tour’s first shows, has an impressive vocal range, and through facial expressions and energy, immerses us in her cute kitty ways. (See my interview with Elizabeth here: http://the-wordbot.blogspot.com/2012/01/cats-civic-theatre-cast-member.html )
Rum Tum Tugger (Chris Stevens) was also a crowd favorite, with hip thrusts and leather pants, playing the perfect caricature of a heart throb…in cat clothing. Says the actor of his role to the Mission Times Courier: “Tugger is the sexy, adventurous cat that all the other female cats love…He never does what he says he will do and certainly never does what others expect of him. He is a rebel who loves showing off for attention and having fun.”
CATS may be gone from San Diego, but these fun, lively creatures are alive and well in Costa Mesa, from January 17-22. After that, we will not see them on this coast until early April (Folsom Lake and Chico, CA). However, CATS has one of the best soundtracks and DVD recordings of any musical; though seeing the show live is ideal, I recommend these both, which can be found on Amazon. Additionally, the best part of CATS is that it can be seen by anyone—kids, parents, and grandparents are all invited to the Jellicle Ball. You’ll fall in love once you accept their invitation.
CATS
For more information, please visit: http://catsontour.com/
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