CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL Previews — Page 7

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So how soon will they be forced to add more covers and swings? There's already four covers on tonight.

Matt Rogers said: "ACL2006 said: "So how soon will they be forced to add more covers and swings? There's already four covers on tonight."

I don’t know if the human body is designed to do that choreography 8 times a week. I would expect there to be constant swings and covers on."

which means they could end up like the original CATS and have just as many swings & vacation covers as they did cast members.

ACL2006 said: "So how soon will they be forced to add more covers and swings? There's already four covers on tonight."

I just checked and there appears to be 5 on. There is a very nasty sickness going around the company at the moment and pretty much everyone is on vocal rest. I’m sure they are probably already thinking of getting additional swings and covers, but previews have been an ever-evolving process and it appears many of them were laying down vocal tracks last week for a cast recording.

The lability in the weather also certainly doesn’t help a damn thing. But there are many cast right now who are pushing through best they can with opening a week away.

Saw the show Thursday, 3/26 after seeing it at PAC 2 years ago. Overall vocally the cast is a lot stronger, and the show is high energy fun. I would love if the sound engineers can figure out how to make the songs more intelligible. You can hear the vocalists but can't understand the words they are saying. As a Cats fanatic, I know the words by heart, and I think it helps the experience. Also, any scheduling people are aware of? Robert Silk Mason was out that Thursday, so curious when they are performing, as they are absolutely brilliant. I'm not sure if all their choreography has been picked up by the understudies at this time. 

TQ4 said: "Saw the show Thursday, 3/26 after seeing it at PAC 2 years ago. Overall vocally the cast is a lot stronger, and the show is high energy fun. I would love if the sound engineers can figure out how to make the songs more intelligible. You can hear the vocalists but can't understand the words they are saying. As a Cats fanatic, I know the words by heart, and I think it helps the experience. Also, any scheduling people are aware of? Robert Silk Mason was out that Thursday, so curious when they are performing, as they are absolutely brilliant. I'm not sure if all their choreography has been picked up by the understudies at this time."

Silk had the flu - they felt better for a day, tried coming back (di both on Saturday), and then got knocked down again. That’s the illness that seems to be getting the kitties.

As for the sound, it still remains a balancing act per my conversations with some of the creatives. A very engaged and enthusiastic audience seems to be the big wildcard that affects sound quality at different times of the show - not unlike an actual ball.

SPOILER question: in the PAC production, Skimbleshanks carried a giant Metrocard if I recall correctly. It was hilarious and I didn't see it in the new production when I went last week. I really hope they bring it back. 

TQ4 said: "SPOILER question: in the PAC production, Skimbleshanks carried a giant Metrocard if I recall correctly. It was hilarious and I didn't see it in the new production when I went last week. I really hope they bring it back."

I was at an early preview and the final performance, I don't recall this ever happening...

Aside from André, who else do you think can get a Tony nom for this?

Will be seeing this one on May 9.

ACL2006 said: "O know the focus has been on Moulin Rouge, but CATS also had a mid show swing-on. They already had four covers on. Will this show be able to sustain a long run?"

Diva, it's called illness and it will pass. Mellow. 

ACL2006 said: "O know the focus has been on Moulin Rouge, but CATS also had a mid show swing-on. They already had four covers on. Will this show be able to sustain a long run?"

TotallyEffed said: "I think I enjoyed this a bit more downtown because it had more space to breathe. But with that being said, I had an absolute BLAST seeing it again and I was grinning ear to ear the whole time. I can’t believe it, but I actually got choked up once or twice. Just pure queer joy on Broadway, what more could we ask for? Such a welcome balm in these troubled times.

The cast is amazing and Iwant to shout outEmma Sofia who plays Skimbleshanks. I find her to have such a magnetic presence and she just oozes star quality. I couldn’ttake my eyes off her. Her look, her vocals, her dancing, her charisma. Get thatgirl a starring role. I’d love to see her Anita in West Side Story.

If you haven’t seen this production, do NOT miss it."

I have to agree with you: it has lost some of its downtown heat, but it is still a remarkable achievement.  This is what I call a perfect example of a regie production: a reexamination of a well-known work that hues tightly with the libretto and music. I would go so far as to say it’s the best thing on Broadway.  And yes, I also had numerous swells of pure unbridled joy 🥹