Breaking News: CATS to Return to Broadway This Summer; Andy Blankenbuehler Joins Team- Page 4

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 2:47pm

...clearly not "universally" loved. That does mean something specific. 

 

I did find Best12's post to be moving.

[CindersGolightly]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 2:48pm

Best12, that was a gorgeous explanation. And so so true. I wish more people saw the link between the two like you do.

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 2:59pm

It's definitely not for everyone, and I wager a large part of the invested interest in an audience member is their affinity and affection for cats in general. If you are a "cat person," you stand a better chance at identifying with some (or many) of the cats' personality traits depicted in the show. If you hate cats (and shame on you), you will very likely hate "Cats."

 

I don't mean to claim that all cat-lovers will love this show, either. But it helps.

 

Ultimately, "Cats" isn't merely about cats anymore than "A Chorus Line" is merely about dancers. But it helps if you have an affinity for the subject matter.

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 3:04pm

Thanks! I'm glad my "explanation" of the success of the original production makes sense to some of you.

 

I would say to all, give the revival a chance. It won't be the original production, but maybe you'll be "taken in" the way I was swept away by the OBC. If you get caught up in the "mood" and the "moonlight" and the "madness" and the quirky personalities of these leotard-wearing dancer/felines, along with the clever poetry and the melodies ... maybe, just MAYBE ... you'll love it too.

[perfectliar]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 4:03pm

South Fl Marc said: "Why? I can't think of a show that's needed less on Broadway."

 

It doesn't take much thought at all to come up with at least a dozen shows that are bigger steaming piles than Cats is or ever was.

[Peter2]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 4:07pm

Handsomely argued, best12bars. But on the other hand, given what you say the show is about, isn't it it ironic that the revival will take up a valuable Broadway house, likely for years, that could otherwise be devoted to a new musical, or the revival of one that hasn't already had all the success that "Cats" has had (it occupied the Winter Garden for EIGHTEEN years!).

 

Let's face it, this is all about tourist dollars.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 4:09pm

Roy Cohn will be excited. 

[best12bars]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 4:10pm

Until they sanction "term limits" on Broadway shows, you'll be stuck with Phantom, Wicked, Chicago, and Les Mis ... and who's to say how long a Cats revival would play?

 

And the truth is Broadway is all about tourist dollars. Local business is great, but it will never keep a show running more than a few months.

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 4:13pm

"Let's face it, this is all about tourist dollars."

Broadway will always need tourist dollars... There will come a year when HAMILTON will be filled with tourists. Happens all the time. Without the tourists, you can shave years off of the runs of some hit shows.

[SweetLips]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 4:13pm

Scarywarhol said: "...clearly not "universally" loved. That does mean something specific. 

Sorry Scary ,I'll run all my posts by you before I press enter next time.At least those who own cats don't have to pick up after them.

SL....with love of Cats..x

 

 

 

 

 

"

 

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 4:50pm

I only thought it was funny that you went from commenting on the negative reaction here to calling it "universally loved." Nobody's censoring you. 

 

And for the record, I am a big cat person. Just not a big Cats person.

Updated On: 1/21/16 at 04:50 PM

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 5:19pm

The bottom line is that just because you and a few people agree that it's a bad show doesn't mean there aren't others who will want to see this. (And I would say that the show is universally loved, if being translated into over twenty languages and enjoying numerous productions all over the world is any indication.)

If you don't want to see it, then don't see it. It's not a big deal if one show you don't like is open on Broadway, as there are plenty of others to choose from.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 5:24pm

I've said zero about the show's commercial appeal or prospects, just pointed out the obviously incorrect usage of the phrase "universally loved" immediately after acknowledging the negative response to this news, because I thought it was funny. (And this show IS a punchline in much of the theatre community.) Universal is a word, like all other words, that means something. If you want to say many people like it, say that. It's true. 

Updated On: 1/21/16 at 05:24 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 5:33pm

I think Sir Andrew, so as not to be accused of not being inclusive, needs to write a companion piece called "Dogs". Hey it is only fair.Why should dogs not be given respect?

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 5:35pm

^ Because we live in an oppressive, speciesist society.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 5:37pm

One of the Sherman Bros.' less-known projects: DAWGS, 1983. The song list includes:

 

• Midnight waltz for Dawgs
• 101 dalmatians
• Puppy love is here to stay
• C'est l'amour
• Dawgs (are man's best friends)
• When a hound dog man has a good hound dog
• Nobody loves a chihuahua
• No dogs allowed
• That darn cat!
• Soft brown fur
• Cuddle me
• The bow wow ball
• When you're loved
• Dawgs (are man's best friends)

 

I am not making this up and I wish I could find the pictures that I saw once.

Posted: 1/21/16 at 5:41pm

So does this mean The Bloody Irish isn't coming anymore? 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 5:45pm

Eliot actually wrote a lot about Pollicle Dogs in the cat poems but most of the references to dogs were removed from the musical's libretto. "The Ad-Dressing of Cats" had a whole verse about dogs and was recorded on the London cast album but it was cut by the time the show premiered on Broadway. The prologue is loosely based on an unpublished poem about dogs and cats as well.

[Peter2]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 5:58pm

Scarywarhol said: "One of the Sherman Bros.' less-known projects: DAWGS, 1983."

 

Oh my god, I had totally forgotten this show! LOL. I don't even remember if it was good or bad, just that I saw it. (So I guess if equal opportunity for pets is a concern, the next show we need to demand is "Hamsters."

 

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 6:09pm

Let's face it, this is all about tourist dollars.

Yes, like it did so well on tour in places such as Omaha and Austin.

For everyone else who is dissapointed, only 7 more revivals to go.

 

"

 

[asmith0307]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 6:52pm

Chicago Star said: "So does this mean The Bloody Irish isn't coming anymore? "

I was just about to ask that... Besides the Sunday Times (and all the other articles that link to it), I can't find any other references to it coming. No website, no listing on the Theatrical Index, nothing. 

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 7:31pm

People are going to look at this show in the same spirit as they look at the hairstyle they had in their senior high glamour shot.

[SweetLips]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 8:47pm

Cats is universally loved by all those who love Cats [except all those who DON'T universally love Cats].

There---I'm clear on that now--phew ! Can I get off my kitty litter now?

 

SL........meow x

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 8:57pm

love cats the animals!

could never understand the hubub about the musical, other than Memories, which Betty Buckley sang the hell out of.....

 

like all broadway musicals I wish it well!!!!!

[broadwaysfguy]

Posted: 1/21/16 at 8:57pm

love cats the animals!

could never understand the hubub about the musical, other than Memories, which Betty Buckley sang the hell out of.....

 

like all broadway musicals I wish it well!!!!!